August 30, 2019
Last month we covered the fifth and final stages of a solar installation, the Closeout Stage, meaning we started at the end. So what are the other four stages? Well, it all starts with the Sales Stage (what we call the paperwork chase), then Engineering, Operations, and finally Installation. We’ll cover the Sales and Installation… Read the entire post »
August 30, 2019
“What are the best solar panels for you?” That’s a great question, but hopefully you won’t take offense if I say “I think you’re asking the wrong question”. Yes, I know, the on-line review mania that has swept the world since the Internet’s arrival has made finding the very best products a kind of sport.… Read the entire post »
July 26, 2019
Final solar installation stage. Sticking with the theme that we make solar installations easy, we thought that explaining what goes into an installation would be helpful (even if that doesn’t make our top eight questions list). So here is Part 1 of the Five Stages of a Solar Installation and rather than starting at the… Read the entire post »
May 2, 2019
One of the most common questions we hear from our more technical customers is “shouldn’t I worry about inverter clipping?” In a word, no. But of course, while I sometimes try to keep it at that, a simple “no” rarely resolves the question. First, let’s focus on what inverter clipping is; the graph below will… Read the entire post »
March 13, 2019
We explained the higher bills in our previous blog article about seasonal impacts but what can you do about it? Well, around here we’re great believers in the old adage “that which is measured improves”. The trick is putting a little bit of time into measuring. First, there is the production monitoring that came with… Read the entire post »
September 17, 2018
Every year, trade magazine Solar Power World compiles a list of the top solar contractors in the country. New England Clean Energy ranks very high nationally for a small, regional player. And we’re #14 in Massachusetts based on megawatts installed in 2017, among all solar installers including huge developers. But truth be told, that’s not what I care… Read the entire post »
July 24, 2018
Enough sun reaches the Earth to power the entire planet, as you may have heard. But can your home or business produce enough solar to meet your electricity needs? It depends on your roof size, and its TSRF. My what? you ask. Let me back up. The “solar-friendliness” of your roof depends on factors including… Read the entire post »
May 1, 2018
One reason solar is the new energy standard is that it pays for itself, unlike virtually any other big purchase. However, it’s still a big-ticket item, and we consumers like to see our big-ticket purchases before we sign on the dotted line. If it’s a car, you go to the dealer, look at various models,… Read the entire post »
March 19, 2018
As solar has become the new energy standard, homeowners want to buy it as quickly as possible, sometimes without anyone measuring the roof in person. While technology has made solar energy systems easier to design and install than ever, solar is far from a one-size-fits-all product that you can pluck off the shelf like a… Read the entire post »
March 15, 2018
Does it matter which company installs your solar? Some people think it doesn’t. I beg to differ. Never mind the differences in quality between companies. What does the company itself stand for? Most people prefer to give their hard-earned money to a company they respect. Business practices, including how company management treats customers and employees, say something. Two of… Read the entire post »
I started writing The Energy Miser in 2011 because I like to analyze energy issues and pontificate about my findings. Got a topic you want me to cover? Let me know.
