What is Community Solar?
The goal of community solar is to provide clean energy to places that cannot directly install solar panels on the roof.
Posts
Do Solar Panels Increase Property Value?
In short – yes! Studies have shown that solar panels and energy efficient homes have higher resale values than conventional homes.
The Tree Debate
As more states are adopting renewable energy standards and continuing to expand solar power, the tree debate often comes up. Is it worth it to cut down a tree to install a solar panel? What about acres worth of trees to build a solar array? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to these questions. Both […]
Indirect Sunlight
On a cloudy day, many people think that solar panels don’t produce any solar energy. They often believe that panels require direct and full sunlight. However, this is not the case! Although they are less efficient when it is cloudy, solar panels can still harness sunlight on a cloudy day.
Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Panels
There are two main types of silicon solar cells: polycrystalline and monocrystalline cells. The key distinction between the two is based on how each is made.
SMART Program FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Massachusetts SMART Program. For more information and an overview of the program, visit our SMART Program page.
Solar Battery Storage
Why install a solar battery? Batteries allow you to store solar energy and reduce your dependence on the grid. In turn, you use more solar power and fewer fossil fuels! How do solar batteries work? Most solar panel systems are connected to the grid and still rely on grid energy when they are producing below […]
All-Black vs. Traditional Panels
So, what is the deal with all black-solar panels? Most solar panel manufacturing companies now have an all-black model, which is becoming more and more popular with customers. However, many people get confused about the difference between the two, and don’t know which type of panel is better for their home.
All About Inverters
Definitions Before we dive into all the inverter details, here is a little refresher on how solar panels work. To generate electricity, sunlight shines on a panel and this panel converts the solar energy into DC current. This current flows to the inverter where the it converts DC current to AC current. Your home uses […]
Energy Independence
Global scale
We can talk about energy independence on both a global scale and individual level. On an international level, energy independence refers to producing sufficient energy in the United States to meet our country’s energy needs. If we can meet our needs by producing energy domestically, we will not depend on resources from foreign countries. Being dependent on other countries allows for energy prices to fluctuate based on events like wars, politics, or changes in supply and demand.
For example, the US is heavily dependent on other countries for oil and gas. Because of this, gas prices vary throughout the year. Take the energy crisis of the 1970s. A war in Israel caused oil shortages, and therefore huge spikes in gas prices in the United States. More recently, gas prices have seen an increase across the US due to increased demand for oil post-pandemic. The fluctuating price of gas creates instability in the US energy economy and is unpredictable to consumers.
So, if US could produce most of its own energy, then foreign affairs that change oil or energy prices would not have such a large effect on the economy like they do today. Thus, increasing energy independence will create more economic stability and security. Currently, renewable energy the most important way that the US can produce enough energy to sustain its population. Increasing the proportion of US energy that comes from renewables would greatly decrease our dependence on other countries.
Individual Level
Energy independence also exists on an individual level. One of the main benefits of producing your own energy is energy security. With renewables such as solar panels, you know that you will always be able to produce your own energy regardless any problems with the grid. This is especially beneficial here in New England because of all the hurricanes and inclement weather that cause frequent power outages. Something as simple as a tree falling on a powerline during a storm can takedown the entire grid in an area for multiple days. However, if your home produces its own energy, there is no need to worry about this during a storm.
The second benefit of household energy independence is price predictability. Just like oil prices, electricity prices fluctuate based on the cost of fuels, consumer demand, local or global regulations, location, and more. When you produce your own energy with solar panels, you will always know the cost of your energy, because it will be free! Although installing a solar panel system comes at a high cost, you can plan for this. There are many different financing options to help you pay for the system. This type of payment is much more predictable than traditional electricity prices, which change due to a variety of factors and therefore are harder to plan for.
Similarly, traditional electricity prices tend to increase in the summer and winter, when there is high demand for heat and AC. However, with renewable energy you don’t need to feel guilt or stress over making your house a comfortable temperature!
Lastly, there are a variety of environmental benefits that you can feel good about when you produce your own renewable energy. So, producing your own energy can provide you security and predictability, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
What is the energy transition?
The term “energy transition” is another phrase often used when talking about energy independence. Energy transitions are global shifts from using one type of energy to another. For example, humans transitioned from wood power to coal in the late 19th century.
However, now this term simply refers to the decarbonization of energy, or the switch from fossil fuels to renewables. The transition has already begun, as around 12% of energy consumed in the US comes from renewable sources. However, we still have a lot of work to do. This new energy transition to renewables will be the way that we achieve energy independence on both an individual level and a global scale.