The COVID Effect—How Much Did You Spend on Electricity?
It’s been a full year since the pandemic started, and you’ve probably spent more time at home than ever before. Some perks you may have enjoyed are trying new recipes, commuting from the bedroom to your home office, finally having time to binge watch your Netflix shows, and most importantly, spending quality time with your family. But all of these directly impact your electricity usage. How so? We compared the electricity usage of two families in our area—and it's surprising to see how much this year has affected our community. If your electricity bill has increased, we'd love to [...]
What Is Solar Energy? How Do Solar Panels Work?
Each year, more and more rooftops are sporting shiny black solar panels that soak up the sun’s rays and convert them into usable electricity. How exactly do solar panels do this? And why is solar energy becoming so popular? How Solar Panels Work The sun is the most powerful source of energy available to us. Nuclear fusion reactions in the sun’s core are far more powerful than anything we could create here on earth. These reactions launch electromagnetic particles called photons into our atmosphere. We can see and feel evidence of these photons in the form of light and [...]
Alert! NEM-2 Savings Are Ending
There are major changes on the horizon that will impact how much you can save by going solar. The current net metering program, NEM-2, will be replaced by NEM-3 this year, and PG&E and the other big utility companies are pushing to reduce the cost-saving benefits solar customers enjoy. While we don’t want to be the bearer of bad news (who does?), it’s important to understand how NEM-3 could negatively affect you if you wait to go solar. Your ROI will decrease. The big utility companies suggested that “bill savings eventually cover the cost of the investment over the life [...]
Synergy Power is Livermore’s Premier Solar Provider
The word “home” can conjure up a variety of images. Whether you’re from a big city or a country town, you are shaped by the place you grew up in a way that stays with you for the rest of your life. As for us here at Synergy Power, we couldn’t be prouder that our roots are right here in Livermore. Solar Based in Livermore, California Livermore is rich with charm and traditional values that have aged like a fine wine. We love living in a town that treasures relics from the past like Vine Cinema and its vintage [...]
Will Solar Panels Make My Roof Leak?
It’s a very understandable concern; your roof protects your house from the elements and you want to be sure that nothing damages it. Could solar panels be the cause of leaks or instability? The truth is that the overwhelming majority of solar power users report that they are very happy with the decision to switch and related roofing issues have been minor to none. That said, there are still some important factors to consider.Is Your Roof in Good Condition Now? When it comes to your solar module, your roof is going to act as the foundation. If you start [...]
Where Is The Best Place to Install My Solar Panels?
Can’t I Install My Solar Panels Anywhere I Want?Whether you’re trying to build a garden or planning where you want your tool shed positioned, location is extremely important.In order for the garden to flourish, it must receive the appropriate amount of sunlight and be placed in good soil in the most optimal conditions for growth. As with a tool shed, the best place is usually where it can be easily accessible, doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, and maximizes space.Position, placement, and orientation is equally important, if not more so when it comes to solar panels. If you were [...]
5 Methods to Remove Snow Off Solar Panels
Removing Snow is Part of Maintenance Just as you need to make sure you check on the roof every so often for debris and do a bit of cleaning, snow removal is equally important. If you want your solar panel system to function and continue to produce power throughout the winter season, making sure your panels are free of obstructions is critical. Luckily for most of California, snow isn’t as heavy here and is limited to a smaller region. However, if you happen to live in a snowy area , then the following tips may certainly be helpful. If your roof [...]
Adding Solar Panels to an Existing System
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 since brands come and go, it isn’t unheard of to mix and match components – as long as the voltage is compatible and can be balanced it can generally work. Not the best scenario, but if options are limited as far as what’s available, it [...]
Would a Magnifying Glass On Solar Panels Generate More Energy?
Are there ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels? People who own solar often inquire how or if panel production can somehow be increased or maximized. One reader came up with this idea: “Could you put some type of magnifying glass and set it at the right distance to increase the heat of the sun and give you more energy production from the solar panels?” Possibly this subscriber had done a bit of reading on the mathematics & military genius of one Archimedes of Syracuse. While this is an interesting concept and not categorically implausible, we [...]
What Happens To Solar Panels At Night And On Cloudy Days?
What happens to solar panels at night? In order for photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, there must be sun. At nighttime, when the sun makes its daily round across the globe to provide other areas with sunlight, solar panels also go into sleepy mode. Solar panels work best during the seasons where sun is more available with longer hours, such as the summer. Of course, like myself, I have a tendency to work late at night and I often enjoy those late night movies playing on my television set prior to going to bed; thus, if you’re like [...]
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