We are asked fairly often: Can I add more panels to my system down the road? How difficult is it to upgrade? There are many factors to consider in upgrading a system. Panel size, inverter capacity, and space are going to be the biggest deciders. As far as possible, stick with the same manufacturer. But [...]
As 2014 begins, many predictions are being made on a host of interesting topics – who’s getting married? What will be the new breakthrough inventions? Who’s getting added to the Celebrity Death Watch list? Morbid, yes, but it illustrates an important point: people want to know what’s going to happen, and everyone’s got their own [...]
Over 70 years ago, Isaac Asimov wrote a short story entitled Reason in which a space station outfitted with solar collectors beamed energy through microwaves to various planets. Perhaps this story is the inspiration behind a proposal for a new project by a Japanese construction firm to build a huge solar array along the equator of the [...]
If you're loving the benefits of owning your own solar power system, you'll definitely want to share the solar message with your friends, family, and neighbors. Here's a short article to share with people that answers a few basic questions: So, you're thinking about switching to solar... A couple of questions many of our customers [...]
Solar misconceptions abound and we've heard them all: it's too expensive, it's not reliable, it only works in sunny areas, the technology isn't good enough yet, etc. You know the true story though – and this is where you can help shed some light on the benefits of solar to people in your circle. And [...]
If you live in Northern California, you’ve probably noticed that we are having a heat wave with record-breaking temperatures. It’s hot. Really hot. And Northern Californians are rumored to be notoriously wimpy in extreme heat or cold (it’s partially true, not gonna lie). Hot weather means more fans and air conditioners running. Add that to [...]
Why are we still calling solar “alternative energy”? It’s obvious from the numbers in the newest U.S. Solar Market Insight: 1st Quarter 2013 that times, they are a changin’. The report’s biggest news: Nearly half of all new electric capacity installed in the US between the first 3 months was solar. That’s right – solar. [...]
We have a tendency to overdo things based on spurious reasoning. Examples: “I had a really light breakfast, and hardly any lunch, so this enormous plate of midnight nachos washed down with a half-gallon flagon of ale seems a reasonable daily intake.” “I stretched pretty well during the warm-up; I see no reason why I [...]
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Concern for the fate of life on our planet is a high-priority, and today's green message is really hitting home with the younger generation. To help celebrate Earth Day, The Solar Company created a fun, Earth Day-themed coloring page to share with kids at the Castro Valley Library. On the bottom of [...]
You want to go solar and your roof is the ideal place for the solar array. But is your roof up to the job? A few items to take into account when considering replacing your roof: The roof’s age, its condition, and the costs involved for repairs or replacement. There are a few signs you [...]