September 26, 2018
Taxes may be a dry topic, but if you want to save money with solar, this is a very important post. Please read on. I’ll start at the beginning. Jump ahead if you don’t need answers to the first few questions. And see the glossary of tax terms at the bottom of this post if… 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 »
August 21, 2018
I do not believe in bad-mouthing other solar companies. I do believe in helping homeowners make good choices. (Sorry to sound like the mother in Freaky Friday for fans of the film). That means talking to you about some of the bad practices we see in the industry. Earlier this summer, our solar consultant Todd… Read the entire post »
August 13, 2018
The MassSolar website has an intriguing analysis on its blog today about the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Waynesboro, Georgia, where new units are under construction. A higher than anticipated cost for the project has just been announced, pushing the total price to $18.4 billion. Our friends at MassSolar ask: “How much electricity could you generate… Read the entire post »
August 7, 2018
Skeptics scoff when told that solar electric systems pay for themselves. I understand the skepticism because very few purchases in life truly pay you back. But most people do get the concept of a purchase that saves money, like LED light bulbs or a more efficient water heater. Solar is like that, but better. You… Read the entire post »
July 30, 2018
If the extremely hot July we’re having has you cursing the sun, think again. Because solar energy systems in New England, powered of course by the sun, are having a real, measurable and positive impact on electricity prices and the planet in this oppressive heat wave. The evidence of this will turn you from a… 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 »
July 16, 2018
I admit I get a little up in arms when fossil-fuel industry lobbyists and utilities disguised as non-profit organizations spout unsubstantiated, anti-solar propaganda that confuses and misleads people. So when an Opinion piece called Hey solar industry, why the subsidy? appeared in New Hampshire Business Review, I felt compelled to respond. I appreciate that the magazine’s… Read the entire post »
July 10, 2018
“Haaayyyy” horse lovers: We’ve put solar on so many New England horse barns that Holistic Horse magazine made us their “mane” source for a recent article on how equestrian facilities can benefit from solar energy, whether you have a sophisticated breeding farm or a small private barn. We enjoyed our talk with award-winning equestrian journalist… Read the entire post »
June 27, 2018
The Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program is inching closer to reality, and we are quoting systems assuming the home or business owner will be in SMART as opposed to the previous program called SRECs. The “base compensation rates” have been set and the results are actually very encouraging. In some cases, particularly for… 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.
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