Efficiency

In many states with larger solar markets (such as California and New Jersey), choosing someone to do the job can be tough. Solar-E-City Electric is one company to check out if you are pondering solar installation in the Sacramento, California area. Solar-E-City Electric is a local, family owned Sacramento solar installation company.  Unlike many larger installers in the area, Solar-E-City Electric prides itself on building strong relationships with customers, so you don't just become a job number on a computer screen. They are able to guarantee the quality of their work because they never subcontract out - this means they know exactly what is going on with your project at any given time down to every last detail. Better yet, they will help you through the confusing process of handling state and federal tax credits and connecting to the PG&E grid. With almost 10 years of solar installation experience, you can trust David and Erika Schweickert with the future of your home.... read more

Active Solar Energy: using mechanical devices to collect, store, and distribute solar energy.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): a type of solar thermal energy used to create solar thermal energy (heat) on a large scale using series of mirrors in order to concentrate a large amount of solar energy. Read more...

Feed-In Tariff (FiT): the ability to sell unused solar electricity (or that from other renewable sources such as wind) back to your local utility. Many states require FiTs. You will sign a contract with your utility for a set rate over a certain time period (usually 20 years).

Green Tag: see “Solar Renewable Energy Credit.”

Grid: the connection of cables in a region that distributes electricity to homes, businesses, and other buildings. Residential solar systems are often connected to the local “grid,” and in some states are required to connect.... read more

When considering installing solar panels on your home, choosing an installer can be a daunting task. There can be hundreds of local and larger installers in your area. One of the growing companies you may want to check out is REC Solar, Inc. REC started out in 1997 in San Luis Obispo, California and has since become one of the largest installers in the nation, serving California, Hawaii, Oregon, New Jersey and Arizona.

While REC is a big company, they have a local feel. There are locations in each of their areas served so that you have a direct relationship with the company instead of just being a number on a page. They work on projects ranging from large scale commercial projects to residential projects and hold your hands a long the way to help you with financing options to make solar a reality for many who thought it was out of reach.... read more

Many celebrities hopped on the Prius bandwagon a few years back. But, let's face it: with the type of money many of them are making, celeb environmental efforts should go further than a few gallons of gas per year. So, who's walking the walk by installing solar on their 7-bedroom-6-bath-2-pool Hollywood hills home?

Johnny Depp: Johnny Depp's private island (yes, island) is completely solar powered.... read more

Installing solar panels seems like a great idea, but finding that spare $30k can be rough. Solar Thermal Water Heaters are a great alternative to installing a full photovoltaic solar panel system.

These water heaters will help greatly reduce your energy use. They are much smaller than a PV system, making them much cheaper. Also, converting the sun's energy into heat is much simpler than turning it into electricity. To have a solar thermal water heater installed, you will likely spend about $.... read more