The terms “solar,” “green energy” and “renewable energy” are words that seemed to have long played out their value in the United States. When words or phrases inundate the media, the public at large starts to disregard the significance of the message associated with the word. Psychology tells us that when we become desensitized to something, … [Read more...]
Solar Powered Camping
Summer months mean summer break for the kids in schools, vacations, long summer nights, and for many families, camping trips! At the Solar Showroom, one of the questions that our customers ask us is if we “go solar” when we go camping. And although Amazon and other resellers have some great solar solutions for camping trips, recreational solar is … [Read more...]
Tesla – Perhaps Not the Powerhouse Solar Solution They Claim to Be
A week doesn’t pass by without the phone ringing and a local customer asking about Tesla solar panels or the Tesla Powerwall. Although we welcome the phone calls, many customers are surprised to hear that not only is Tesla not the only solar option they have, but there are better solar solutions to for their home and business needs. A Bit of … [Read more...]
Solar Rights Act: A Lesson for Homeowners
Homeowner’s Do Have Rights As far back as 1978, California passed CA Civil Code 714 which bars restrictions by homeowners associations (HOA’s) on the installation of solar-energy systems. The original legislation did not specifically apply to cities, counties, municipalities or other public entities. Fast-forwarding, legislation was amended … [Read more...]
A Solar Horror Story: Part 3 – Solar Installation
This is our third chapter of A Solar Horror Story. In our attempt to help consumers make solar decisions they feel confident and excited about, we believe it is our job as Solar Educators to outline a few of the common tricks, traps and scams so you can avoid them. The first article in our series spoke about sales tactics to be aware of and the … [Read more...]
What does your Craft Beer have to do with Solar?
From the rolling hills of Northern California through the British Isles to the peaks of Namibia, a glimmer in the distance might indicate something special is on the horizon. A closer look brings industrial roofs covered in solar panels, buzzing with the production of energy with commercial grade solar panels, into view. As your car inches toward … [Read more...]
Solar Horror Stories: Part 2 – The Technical Side of Solar
This is our second edition of Solar Horror Stories. In our attempt to help consumers make solar decisions they feel confident and excited about, we believe it is our job as Solar Educators to outline a few of the common tricks, traps and scams so you can avoid them. Our last article spoke about sales tactics to be aware of. Today we focus on the … [Read more...]
A Solar Horror Story: Part 1 – THE SALES PROCESS
I have yet to cross paths with someone who have not, themselves, crossed paths with someone who has a solar horror story to tell. There are stories where an overly committed Salesman won’t leave their home, leaks in roofs, and worse case scenarios where panels have literally fallen off the roof. Shopping for solar is an exciting time, however, it … [Read more...]
What’s the Next “Big Thing” in Solar?
Bigger and Better In the U.S., we tend to find ourselves waiting for the next “bigger” or “better” option to come to the table before we make big purchases. As anxiously await to see what the next model Tesla electric car will look like or what features the next iPhone will highlight. We balance the cost of the investment of the ‘next big … [Read more...]
Selling a Home with Solar Panels
There are more than a million homes in the United States with solar panels installed, with numbers growing every day. Due to previously complicated finance arrangements, it was not uncommon to hear a Realtor say that selling a home with solar panels was not for the ‘faint of heart’ or inexperience real estate professional. However, as residential … [Read more...]
