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Jan 02 2018
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charging an EV with solar panels

5 Home Improvement Tips for an Eco Home

By Increase Your Home Property Value No Comments

Erase your visions of a sustainable home featuring twine countertops. No corn-husk flooring and garden-mud grout here. Eco-chic home design and sustainable architecture are on the rise, while the prices for attractive, sustainable materials keep falling.

Try new Eco-friendly materials or learn which standbys are best for the environment. Let go of the assumption that Eco-friendly and green homes are only for the wealthy. In fact, these home improvement tips could even save you money on your green building.

Looking to do some remodeling or update your home design? Here are five great ideas to help create an eco-house that’s beautiful, functional, and sustainable.

Use Bamboo for New Flooring

If it’s time to install or redo your floors, look into a modern favorite: bamboo. High-quality bamboo can outlast even the mighty red oak, America’s favorite flooring option.

Bamboo growth also matures within seven years, rather than the minimum 40 or 50 years for most other hardwoods. Its short timeframe for resource recovery makes bamboo a more sustainable, and sometimes more affordable, alternative.

The age and harvesting method of the bamboo can change its density, so be sure to do your homework. A good quality bamboo will give you a modern, attractive floor that’s easy to clean and goes easy on your conscience.

Choose Ceramic Tiles in the Bathroom

Ceramic tile is moisture resistant, which cuts down on mold. Cleaner air in the bathroom is healthier and extends the time before it must be restored again. You’ll preserve resources and save money in the long run.

It’s also more scratch- and fire-resistant than other surface options. Look for brands manufactured in low-impact ways with recycled materials. This will keep waste out of landfills and reduce the impact of producing new materials from scratch.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors

This is one of the best ways to stop energy leaks and save money on your monthly energy bill. It also conserves resources and reduces the burning of fossil fuels.  

You could also improve the energy efficiency of your current windows. Adding storm windows, weather stripping, or caulking will help in cold weather. Installing light-colored awnings or shades can cut a considerable amount of heat sneaking in during warm weather.  

By stopping heating or cooling leaks, you’ll stop energy and money leaks, too.  

Lay Permeable Pavers

Groundwater can’t seep into the earth with solid pavement and cement. Permeable or pervious pavers are made up of several bricks or stone, rather than one solid unit. Natural openings in these paving options allow water to soak into the soil and distribute naturally back into the ecosystem.

This reduces an overflow of rainwater in gutters and sewage systems, which can back up and cause flooding. Too much of this causes erosion and can make low-lying neighborhoods susceptible to more severe flooding over time.

Have Rooftop Solar Installed

Solar is a clean energy source that can reduce and stabilize your energy bill. Plus, installing solar is mostly hands-off, especially if you take advantage of Solar.com’s no-hassle process.

We can design your system remotely based on your needs, find the best prices for installers in your area, and see you through installation. That takes the guesswork and grunt work out of adding solar to your home remodel.

Learn more about how easy Solar.com makes going solar here, or leave us a question in the comments below.

Dec 28 2017
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Solar Panel Innovations in 2018

3 Solar Panel Innovations to Look for in 2018

By Solar Panel Installation Process No Comments

Solar energy is taking shape across industries and geographies. Engineers at top solar panel companies are hard at work developing innovations making solar even more practical and accessible.

In this post, we highlight solar panel innovations from three industry leaders: LG, Sunpower, and First Solar. Here are their exciting new solar panel products to look for in 2018.

1. LG’s Highly Efficient Panels for Residential Solar

LG introduced its new LG NeON R panels. More than just a catchy name, these panels boast up to 350 to 365 watts at 20.8 percent efficiency. The 365-watt model offers 29 percent more power than the average panel at just 290 watts.

LG accomplished this using technology previously exclusive to SunPower. SunPower and LG are in fairly constant competition for the title of “best solar panels.”

LG NeON ACe.jpg

Efficiency is obviously one of the top considerations homeowners factor in when looking for the best solar panels for their home. The more efficient the panels, the fewer panels are needed to power your home. Of course, as we’ve explained in our SolarBook guide, high-efficiency panels come at a cost premium that isn’t necessary for homeowners with enough room on their roof. These panels are a better option for a smaller house lacking roof space.

But other factors beyond efficiency also play into how much power a panel can produce in real-world settings. LG’s new panels are currently the highest rated for weathering snow and wind in the industry. They also keep producing through a wide range of temperature fluctuations.

NeON R panels are built to withstand light degradation better than most on the market. Wire-free NeON R ACe panels, equipped with WiFi, will be available early 2018.

2. SunPower’s New Solar Panel Carport

On the commercial solar front, SunPower introduced a new highly efficient solar carport. These panels are featured in BuildingGreen’s list of the top ten recommended products for 2018, which features innovations “in health and environmental performance across all major building product sectors.”

SunPower claims they can generate “45 percent more energy in the same space over 25 years when compared to conventional panels.”

Solar carports are gaining popularity for significantly minimizing energy costs while maximizing space.

The normally dead space of a parking lot can generate clean electricity, reduce energy costs, protect cars, and contribute toward LEED credits–all while making a statement to the community about committing to clean energy.

Add-on features include rainwater collection for reuse, EV charging stations, and even energy storage.

The multifunctional, conscientious design has earned SunPower’s new carports the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver achievement. It’s the only solar company to achieve this status thus far.

3. First Solar Introduces Series 6 Thin Film Model

First Solar is the largest U.S. solar product manufacturer. Their series 4 model has been a staple in the commercial solar panel industry, producing 122.5W and 17% efficiency. The series 6 model can produce 420-445W at 17% efficiency.

The efficiency is about average for the commercial market, but having more watts per unit makes it far more powerful.

While building on the current model for a seamless transition, series 6 will be easier to ship, more durable, and easier to install.

First Solar’s Stefan Degener sums up the advantages, “Series 6 will continue to generate up to eight percent more energy per watt installed, compared with conventional crystalline silicon modules with the same power rating.”

Solar Panels and Your Home

Bringing it back to your home, the bottom line is there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for solar.

Even “the best” solar panels might not make sense for your rooftop, depending on real-world factors. The most efficient, most expensive panels might not be necessary for a house your size.

Whether you’re still in the exploration phase or ready to install soon, knowing what fits your needs is the first crucial step. It sets you up to receive bids from several viable companies who make sense for you.

Curious about the optimal individual fit for your home’s shape, size, and location? Get in touch with one of our qualified solar design engineers today for a no obligation chat.