The Energy Show
Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.
Wed, April 09, 2025
EVs Can Power Homes — So Why Won’t Utilities Let You?
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Wed, April 02, 2025
Why is Solar Still So Expensive in the U.S.?
You’d think it’s the cost of panels and batteries—but that’s only half the story. The other half? A tangled web of permits, inspections, engineering headaches, insurance, and paperwork that’s bleeding solar companies dry and keeping prices sky high. We’re joined by the man who’s on a mission to change that: Andrew “Birchy” Birch. You’ll hear why U.S. solar costs are double those in Germany and Australia, why nearly every big-name solar installer has gone out of business, and how a one-page invoice and no-permit process in Europe blew our minds back in 2007. We break down the real cost stack for rooftop solar, and how you—yes, you —can help drive down prices through smarter permitting, better service models, and demanding a better product. Want to know how to actually fix solar in America? We’re talking project velocity, profitability, SolarAPP+, OpenSolar, and why good service isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the secret weapon to staying in business. And if you've ever asked yourself, "Why can’t we just make this easier?" —this episode is for you. Hit play and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about solar installation costs on www.energyshow.biz Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Wed, March 12, 2025
Get Your Heat Pump, Solar and Battery Tax Credits While They Last
Thinking about going solar, upgrading to a heat pump, or adding a home battery system? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table if you don’t take advantage of the latest tax credits! We’re breaking down everything you need to know to maximize your tax credits for 2024 – and even 2025! Despite all the chaos in DC, these electrification incentives are still alive and well. But the clock is ticking. Learn how to get: 30% tax credit on solar electric and water heating systems 30% tax credit on battery storage (over 3 kWh) Up to $2,000 tax credit per year for heat pump HVAC and water heaters Up to $2,500 utility rebates for heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heaters in Silicon Valley But beware: the IRS is cracking down, auditing for accurate paperwork and manufacturer documentation. We’ll tell you how to avoid costly mistakes and ensure you get every dollar you’re entitled to. Don’t wait until it’s too late – find out how to claim your tax credits and secure local rebates before they vanish at www.energyshow.biz
Wed, March 05, 2025
Who Knows Better – AI or Your Heat Pump Salesperson?
AI is getting smarter—answering complex questions in seconds, from heat pump efficiency to system sizing. But can it really outthink a seasoned HVAC expert? We put AI head-to-head with heat pump design consultant Daniel Reres to find out who gives the best advice when replacing an old gas furnace and air conditioner with a state-of-the-art heat pump. Does AI have a clue about your heating load? Does Mr. AI know if a hybrid system (AKA natural gas) is worth it in California? Can Ms. AI inform you about the challenges that a heat pump has when it comes to effective dehumidification? It's man versus machine, in a showdown reminiscent of John Henry versus the steam drill—but this time, the prize is the comfort and efficiency of your home. The answers might surprise you, and they might even change the way you think about AI, heat pumps, and home energy forever. Find out who wins the man versus the machine heat pump design battle at www.energyshow.biz .
Wed, February 26, 2025
Things You Won’t Hear From Solar Sales People
How can you tell when a "solar bro" salesman is lying? When his lips are moving. It may come as a surprise, but I’m sorry to report that not all solar sales people are honest. On this week’s Energy Show we’ll dive into the shadowy side of solar sales that often gets swept under the rug. Inspired by a provocative Wired article: “The Spectacular Burnout of a Solar Panel Salesman,” we explore the highs, lows, and questionable sales practices that sometimes occur in the solar industry. Instead of the traditional set of Frequently Asked Questions, this week’s show is a roundtable discussion with two very experienced solar salespeople. They’ll do a bit of role playing as they expose the lies that unethical salespeople spew as they seek to maximize their commissions, the tough customer questions that make salespeople squirm, and the right answers you should get from an ethical solar salesperson. Curious about the lies and exaggerations that you may hear during a solar sales pitch? Get the straight scoop on this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz .
Tue, February 18, 2025
How Would You Like Your Pizza Delivered: Pipes, Wires, Underground, or From The Sky?
Imagine this: Domino’s delivers your pepperoni pizza from the sky via drone, skipping traffic and landing it piping hot on your doorstep. Wouldn’t you want your energy delivered just as efficiently? Today’s energy delivered to our buildings takes a circuitous route - from pipes, wires or underground. But energy delivery directly from the sky is not only feasible, but surprisingly inexpensive. That’s because in today’s energy world, it costs far more to deliver energy than to generate it. This week on The Energy Show, we reveal why the location of energy generation is the ultimate cost driver—and why rooftop solar is leading the charge as the cheapest, most efficient solution. From chopping wood to cutting-edge solar panels, Barry Cinnamon uncovers the inefficiencies (and dangers) of outdated energy systems and explains why the future of energy is already shining down on us. Intrigued? Tune into this week’s Energy show at www.energyshow.biz and find out how energy delivery determines energy costs.
Tue, February 11, 2025
It’s Valentine’s Day And PG&E Loves You
Patti Poppe, PG&E’s CEO, sent a literal love letter to all of her California customers. You can read it here (https://www.pge.com/en/newsroom/currents/customer-service/pg-e-s-progress-on-the-things-you-care-about-the-most-.html), but allow me to summarize: Dear PG&E Customers: If you conserve electricity we will raise your rates. If you use more electricity your bills will go up. Either way we make more money. And it’s not our fault. With love, Patti I couldn’t make this $#!T up if I tried! California’s energy infrastructure is at a breaking point. Utilities are spending billions on bloated grid upgrades while at the same time lobbying for laws that stop homes and businesses from installing their own solar systems. The results? The highest peak electric rates in the country and record profits for California’s utilities. Enter the Solar Rights Alliance, a grassroots organization fighting back against monopolistic utilities and their political allies. On this week’s show Dave Rosenfeld, Executive Director of SRA, breaks down the lies behind utility-backed policies, reveals the real cause of rising electric rates, and shares actionable ways Californians can reclaim control over their energy future. Curious how we got here—and what’s next for rooftop solar, energy freedom, and cutting the cord from the grid? Please listen to this week's Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz for the full story.
Tue, February 04, 2025
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 2
Part 2 of our podcast with Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home, goes into the intricate details of designing and installing the ideal home battery system. Some of the questions that Greg answers are: * What are the top mistakes homeowners and contractors make? * How can you ensure your system meets building code restrictions? * How can automatic load shedding and generator input capabilities improve the backup performance of your system? One of the most interesting features to me is the capability to connect to external backup power sources, such as a home generator or an EV. This capability provides the potential to partially or completely cut the cord with your utility — Grid Defection, as we say in the business. I think you’ll find that Greg’s wisdom in both Part 1 and Part 2 will help you sort through the battery system design choices offered by contractors. Part 2 of Tips for the Best Home Backup System podcast is at www.energyshow.biz.
Mon, January 27, 2025
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith Part 1
Almost every solar system installed in California and Hawaii includes batteries. And for good reason. Daytime electric rates are low, evening rates are extremely high, blackouts are common, and utilities pay almost nothing for excess power you send back to the grid. But it’s not easy to design a battery system that takes into account homeowner power needs throughout the day, specific home wiring requirements, and building code restrictions on battery locations. Ironically, one of the biggest challenges is overcoming battery manufacturer hype that they can always back up your home for as long as you want during a blackout. My guest on this week’s Energy Show is Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home. Because there is so much content to cover we’ve recorded two podcast segments with Greg. This first part focuses on battery system power and energy ratings — coupled with information about your home appliances — that will help homeowners make the right system design choices. Greg also delves into the three basic design approaches for a typical home battery system: arbitrage only, essential load backup, and whole home backup. So If you’re thinking about adding a battery to your rooftop solar system, or just getting a completely new combined solar and battery system, please tune into Part 1 of Tips for the Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, January 21, 2025
Electricity Shortages are Utility-Created BS
I have no doubt that we will need more electricity for EVs, building electrification and AI. But across the country — and particularly in California — electricity shortages are being artificially created by utilities as they actively stop competitive sources of power, such as rooftop solar and storage. At the rate our electricity demands are growing we need as much power as we can get from rooftop solar and batteries -- as well as remote utility power plants. However, due to political contributions made by utilities (using our money), California’s government has adopted a utility-only plan for our future power needs. The 40% of California’s electricity capacity historically provided by rooftop solar is almost completely off the table. Tune into this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz for the real reason California is facing a tremendous shortage of electricity — while at the same time electricity rates are skyrocketing, blackouts are becoming routine, and utilities are achieving record-breaking profits.
Tue, January 14, 2025
2025 Solar, Storage and Electrification Predictions
Demand for solar, storage and electrification is at an all-time high in the U.S. But economic and political uncertainties have clouded up my 2025 crystal ball. Nevertheless, here is what I see going into 2025. 1) No one knows what will happen with IRA tax credits and rebates 2) TPO system demand will increase if residential IRA incentives are reduced. 3) Utilities throughout the U.S. will increasingly exercise their monopoly power to suppress or outright prohibit customer-sited solar and battery systems 4) Electricity demand will increase more slowly than utilities predict 5) Heat pump rebate process was broken even before it started 6) Heat pumps combined with solar will shine in 2025 7) New UL-3741 solar rapid shutdown codes add price pressure to micro-inverter and optimizer component suppliers 8) Battery system shortages will continue in 2025, but newcomers will be hard pressed to meet this demand 9) Battery systems with integrated inverters will become the standard 10) “Grid Defection” will enter the energy system lexicon For the details on my Ten Solar, Storage and Electrification Predictions for 2025, please check out the Energy Show website at www.energyshow.biz
Wed, January 08, 2025
Solar Tax Credits: Turbocharged or Trumped?
Did you know the 30% solar tax credit that fueled the industry’s explosive growth was partly funded by a sneaky deal allowing fossil fuel exports—raising gas prices in the process? Or that the long-term stability of these credits helped solar leasing and PPAs thrive? But there’s a storm brewing. With a potential Trump administration set to revisit the 2017 tax cuts, IRA incentives might be the first casualties. Imagine an immediate 30% hike in solar costs or the loss of your $8,000 heat pump rebate. For perspective on these potential changes I’ve turned to the smartest person I know about solar tax credit policy: Rhone Resch. As the CEO of SEIA from 2004 to 2016, Rhone led the charge on the first three rounds of tax credits in 2005, 2008 and 2014. Please listen to this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz for Rhone’s insights into the future of the IRA incentives, differences between the Section 25 residential credits and Section 48 commercial credits, and advice if you’re on the fence about installing solar and storage (hint: to be safe, get your system installed before 12/31/2025).
Mon, December 23, 2024
Will Cheap Solar and Batteries Change Clean Tech Investing?
Solar panel costs have declined from $5/watt to $0.25/watt over the last 25 years. Due to the scale and risks involved in solar panel manufacturing, “…making solar panels is a horrible business,” according to Jenny Chase with Bloomberg NEF. And the same result is likely to happen with manufacturing the other key new energy technology: batteries. What’s bad news for solar and battery manufacturers is great news for energy-hungry customers. The core component of a power plant -- regardless of size -- is now a dirt-cheap commodity. Coal, oil and natural gas can’t keep up with PV power cost declines. Even nuclear, geothermal and wind power are challenged because these remotely constructed power plants require outrageously expensive high voltage transmission lines that take over a decade to design and construct. Our guest on this week’s Energy Show is Neal Dikeman with Energy Transition Ventures. It’s almost impossible to contain Neal's enthusiasm about new business opportunities presented by "almost free" solar and battery power. So please join me as Neal riffs on the changes happening with clean tech investing at www.energyshow.biz.
Mon, December 23, 2024
Declare Your Energy Independence from Sky High Electric Bills
Utilities are in business to make money. So it’s no surprise that your electric bills will keep going up. You may not know it, but since 2022 the United States has been energy independent. As a country, we produce more energy (mostly fossil fuels) than we consume. Unfortunately, the benefits of energy independence do not trickle down to homeowners. Fossil fuel companies and utilities keep those profits while consumers keep paying more and more for energy. Unless your name is Jed Clampett, it is not feasible to drill an oil well in your back yard. But you can do the next best thing: put solar panels on your roof and add a battery backup system. One of the key benefits of rooftop solar and storage is that this energy can also go to fuel your EV, as well as heat and cool your house with a heat pump. With a properly designed solar and battery system it’s easy to slash your electric bills in half. This level of electricity cost reduction is termed "partial grid defection." And if you have enough roof space you can even get a check back from your utility because you are producing more energy than you consume — basically total grid defection. The same concept works for commercial and industrial customers who install solar and batteries. Don’t wait for the next big jump in electric rates. Or the next blackout. Listen to this week's electrifying Energy Show episode and celebrate your own Energy Independence Day.
Sun, December 08, 2024
Businesses Need Batteries Too, But (almost) No One Sells Them
Net metering is history (for now) in California and Hawaii. So almost every homeowner needs batteries with their solar system. But businesses need solar too, and therefore batteries. In fact, because of demand charges on most commercial electric bills, businesses benefit from batteries even more than homes. But there are almost no reliable, standardized, ready-for-prime-time commercial battery systems that provide the trifecta of energy savings, backup power and demand charge reduction. There is a gaping hole in the battery market between huge customized utility scale battery systems and small “off the shelf” home battery systems. Go figure! Note that I said “almost.” Fortress Power has a suite of commercial battery storage systems that are ideal for small and medium commercial customers. These systems can time shift energy use, provide solar-connected backup power and reduce peak demand charges. This week, CEO Jing Yu and Sales Director Alex Lepore join us to discuss how they’re filling in the Energy Storage System gap between residential and utility scale. If you’re wondering how a commercial battery system can benefit your company, please tune into this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz.
Mon, December 02, 2024
Icicles in Your Shower? Beware!
Think it can’t happen to you? Imagine icicles forming in the shower or condensate water seeping through your ceiling—all thanks to an HVAC system that’s begging for attention. This week, the “House Whisperer” Nate Adams joins us to expose the hidden perils of skipping HVAC maintenance and how a few proactive tweaks can prevent a winter nightmare (and save your bank account from disaster). • Your Furnace: A Ticking Time Bomb? Why ignoring maintenance is like setting yourself up for a frigid breakdown—just when you need heat the most. • Heat Pumps Are Taking Over: Nate and Barry dive into why these super-efficient systems are transforming homes, especially for solar-powered setups. • DIY Maintenance You Can’t Afford to Miss: Learn the easy steps to dodge condensation leaks, clogged filters, and cold-air surprises that make winter miserable. Want to save on HVAC repairs and avoid a frozen shower? Don’t miss this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz. About The Energy Show Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.
Mon, November 18, 2024
The Energy Show 11-20-24
The first challenge with a home electrification project is determining the actual costs, savings and incentives for each step in the project. Once that’s done, the second challenge is navigating the maze of different electrification contractors (solar, batteries, EV chargers, HVAC, HPWH, insulation, etc.) Due to the magnitude of potential energy savings, solar and battery contractors are often the first in the door when homeowners consider an electrification project. Balto Energy is delivering a suite of software that will help solar contractors model and prioritize a range of electrification measures. To learn more about Balto Energy and their quest to decarbonize homes across America, please listen up to this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz as we speak with James Quazi, Founder & CEO of Balto Energy.
Tue, November 12, 2024
Inside Secrets from a Pioneering Solar Financier
Ever wonder how early investors turned a hippy solar energy industry into a $100+ billion worldwide industry? On this week's episode we sit down with Gerard Reid, co-founder of Alexa Capital. Way back in 2005 he was researching PV technologies in Berlin - that’s when he realized that combining the right financing with rapid cost reductions in the solar industry could be the foundation for some terrific investments. And he was right. Fast forward to 2024 and we are seeing even greater worldwide potential for the combination of solar and storage. Now it is pretty obvious that solar and storage will deliver dirt cheap electricity. The challenge now is to seek out the opportunities that are not constrained by incumbent industries or hostile public policies. Please tune into this week's Energy Show at www. energyshow.biz to get Gerard’s insights into the actions that early solar and finance companies took to set them up for such a global success story.
Tue, November 05, 2024
Can Utilities Stop Grid Defection When Local Solar is the Low Cost Leader?
Will the future of energy be driven by massive utility solar farms or millions of local rooftop systems? John Farrell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares his insights on how utility monopolies are strangling local solar efforts -- especially in California -- where monopoly utilities are locking customers into sky-high rates. The conversation delves into the growing trend of “grid defection” as consumers use their own solar and battery systems to reduce their dependence on utility power. With an appropriately sized solar and battery system -- with a little help from a friendly EV -- it is indeed possible to cut the cord with the utility completely. Locations with lots of sunlight and high electric rates will be the first places where people can cost effectively ditch their local utility. With all due respect to Alice’s Restaurant…could this be the start of a nationwide movement? Please tune into this week’s Energy Show episode at www.energyshow.biz.
Mon, October 28, 2024
Coming Soon To A Roof Near You: Electricity Too Cheap To Meter
Nuclear power will make electricity too cheap to meter,” a prediction made in a 1954 statement from the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. 70 years later I’m predicting that electricity will be almost free, but powered from that fusion generator 93 million miles away. Sounds crazy, but rooftop solar is already generating power for $0.06/kwh — compared to our average rates here in California of $0.45/kwh. As rooftop solar costs continue to decline and grid electricity costs continue to increase, we need to prepare for three traumatic energy industry changes: 1. Gasoline demand will plummet as EVs dominate road transportation. 2. Natural gas demand will decline steadily as heat pumps dominate space heating and solar dominates power generation. 3. The utility business model will collapse as technological changes (solar and batteries) turn the electric grid upside down. Please tune into this week’s Energy Show as we dive into the capital costs, operating costs, ownership arrangements and timing for the four most common types of power plants. The results make it clear why utilities are trying so hard to stop the growth of rooftop solar and storage. For the details, please head over to www.energyshow.biz and listen to this week's podcast.
Wed, October 23, 2024
How Leading Installer Renova Recovered From Sunpower’s Bankruptcy - Part 2
In the second part of this week’s episode, we dive deeper with Vince Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, as he unpacks the aftermath of SunPower’s shocking collapse. First, a quick recap of Part 1: Vince shared the inspiring 18-year evolution of Renova Energy. From thriving in the heat of Coachella Valley to expanding into Arizona, he explained Renova’s smart choices in solar and battery tech and their consistent maintenance approach. Most notably, Renova’s steady, conservative business practices have been key to their sustained success. Now, we pivot to the gripping story of SunPower’s downfall and its ripple effects. Vince details how Renova was impacted and the strategic, customer-first decisions that guided their recovery. His firsthand account sheds light on how they survived the upheaval—reinforcing customer trust, making swift adjustments, and doubling down on reliable business practices. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion about navigating industry crises and what this means for the future of solar. Catch the full episode at www.energyshow.biz. Stay tuned as Vince breaks down the gritty details of SunPower’s failure and how Renova emerged stronger than ever.
Wed, October 16, 2024
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 2
This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our Enphase interview, delves into Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) and the rise of advanced battery technology, with Enphase at the forefront since 2008. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a good listen — especially for homeowners. Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase, shares insider details on their success, market position, and IRA incentives. We'll also debate open vs. closed home energy ecosystems and discuss how rapid advances in battery and EV charging tech are outpacing regulations. Explore UL 3741, a new code enhancing solar safety and efficiency, and learn about effective Whole Home Backup system designs. Discover how Enphase is shaping U.S. and California energy policies and what changes are needed to slash costs and boost safety. Catch Segment 2 of our Enphase episode at www.energyshow.biz for the latest from Enphase’s perspective on the future of solar, storage and home energy management.
Mon, October 07, 2024
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics. An Interview with SolarEdge - Part 2
This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our SolarEdge interview, is for my fellow solar installers who crave the inside scoop on industry TLAs such as IRA, VPP, V2G, PCS and NBT. This is the geeky deeper dive on the latest technologies and policy perspectives from SolarEdge. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a great listen for more of a customer perspective. Today’s podcast, the second SolarEdge segment, is focused on interests and needs for contractors -- both residential and commercial. Issues related to fire safety, maximizing energy harvest, commercial cost reduction and UL 3741 are among the topics we are discussing. And if you work in California, techniques to increase system size for existing NEM2 customers will also be covered. Joining us on these two SolarEdge podcast segments are Bertrand Vandeweile, SolarEdge’s new GM for North America, and John Ahlman, their Chief Marketing Officer. Please tune into this second of two Energy Show podcasts with SolarEdge at www.energyshow.biz.
Wed, October 02, 2024
A Solar Installer’s Nightmare: What If Your Main Supplier Goes Bankrupt?
What happens when your largest solar equipment supplier suddenly files for bankruptcy? And worse, they stop paying you for your ongoing projects? This is the nightmare scenario for solar installers everywhere. As the solar industry faces shifting policies, rising interest rates, and market turbulence, some companies are managing to thrive despite the challenges. One such standout is Renova Energy. In this week’s episode, Vince Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, shares the secrets behind the company’s 18-year journey to becoming a leading force in the Coachella Valley and beyond. In this first segment, Vince highlights Renova’s growth and expansion into Arizona, their smart approach to solar and battery installations, and how they’ve tailored their offerings to the unique needs of the desert region. With a focus on extreme heat conditions and local roofing demands, Renova’s conservative business practices and top-tier maintenance services have helped them build a reputation for excellence. Want to know how to build a resilient solar business? Please listen to this episode of The Energy Show for Vince’s insights on The Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, September 24, 2024
Sam Liccardo’s Plan To Slash Our Electricity Costs
Anyone who pays an electric bill in California knows we’re in the midst of an energy crisis. The stark reality is that this crisis is enabled by politicians who lack the will to do something about it. But unlike many politicians, Sam Liccardo took action to lower electric bills when he was the Mayor of San Jose. Now, as candidate for U.S. Congress, Sam plans to tackle this these energy affordability problems on both a state level and national scale. Please join me on this week’s Energy Show as U.S. Congress candidate Sam Liccardo talks about his work on safer bike lanes, how a heat pump keeps his house cool, and of course affordable energy. Perhaps most important — how his "across the aisle" political philosophy will help him get things done in Washington, DC. Looking for real-world solutions to sky-high energy costs? Then tune into this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, September 17, 2024
Here’s Why California’s Electricity Policy Is Broken
FINALLY, someone who actually understands our crazy-complicated electric bills! His name is Dr. Ahmad Faruqui. I’m delighted to have Ahmad join me on this week’s Energy Show to talk about energy policy -- with a particular focus on why the heck our electric bills keep going up when it’s so inexpensive to generate power with solar and wind. It helps to have a PhD in economics, as Ahmad has from UC Davis. He started his energy policy career at the California Energy Commission, and then went over to the Dark Side at EPRI, the Electric Power Research Institute, after which he worked at the Brattle Group on energy consumer policies. So he understands the economic theories as well as the realities of the electric utility industry. New energy technologies, such as rooftop solar and batteries, have disrupted the 120-year old utility industry. Please tune into this week's energy show at www.energyshow.biz for an expert’s view on how these technologies should best be deployed to provide affordable and reliable electricity for everyone.
Tue, September 10, 2024
Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System
Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you avoid these scam artists -- and get the best solar and battery installation for your home or business. 1. Beware of the word “Free” 2. Beware of TGTBT pricing and financing 3. Don’t sign up on the spot 4. Do not trust quotes generated completely online 5. Beware of “free maintenance and cleaning” commitments 6. Beware of optimistic system savings 7. Research the company that manufacturers the solar panels you will install 8. Research the company that manufactures battery SYSTEM you will install 9. Understand your backup power strategy 10. Do your own research on applicable incentives, credits and financing options Don’t let a bad deal or poor installation quality ruin your solar investment. Tune into this week's podcast at www.energyshow.biz
Tue, August 27, 2024
Bernadette Del Chiaro - The Brains Behind California’s Solar Defenses
California’s clean energy future is on a collision course with profit-oriented monopoly utilities. From the Governor’s office to the California Public Utilities Commission to the Legislature, policies are being implemented that are leading to skyrocketing electric rates and record utility profits — while at the same time crushing California's rooftop solar and storage industry and knocking the state off track in meeting its own clean energy goals. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story. Only, instead of “David” being one person standing up to the powerful utilities, given the unique power of solar energy, here, it is every ratepayer, every solar worker, every solar business fighting to protect the right for consumers to generate energy from the sun. And Bernadette Del Chiaro, as the Executive Director of the California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA), is leading the fight for affordable, safe and reliable power for homes and businesses.
Tue, August 20, 2024
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - An Interview with FranklinWH
I bet you didn’t know that the “WH” in FranklinWH stands for "Whole Home." The Jersey Boys from Franklin designed their battery system from the ground up to help people back up their whole home without adding extra batteries or expensive load shedding subpanels. This capability has made Franklin one of the best selling battery systems on the market. Founder Gary Lam and Product Manager Doug Amarhanow — both Rutgers graduates — are my guests on this week’s Energy Show. In addition to integrated load shedding, the FranlinWH system also allows homeowners to expand their rooftop solar systems without triggering the Net Billing Tariff (or NEM3). On the near-term horizon is a capability that will allow EVs with a 240 volt generator output (such as the Ford Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck) to power a home independent of the grid. To learn more about these unique Whole Home backup features from FranklinWH, please tune into this week's energy show at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, August 13, 2024
SunPower – Requiem for a Solar Leader
“SunPower” and “bankruptcy” are two words I never thought I’d see in the same sentence. But we should temper our schadenfreude. The solar industry owes SunPower and their employees tremendous gratitude. Without a doubt, our industry would be much smaller without SunPower’s early and determined leadership. So rather than dance on their potential grave, this week’s Energy Show will focus on SunPower’s accomplishments that I’ve witnessed first-hand over the past 20 years. Think about back contact cells; best dealer network; utility-scale installations on five continents; horsepower behind CALSSA and SEIA; Million Solar Roofs; uncapped ITC; Swanson, Werner, Shugar, Wenger, Blunden, Starrs; NexTracker and Renova. The list goes on. There’s plenty of news about SunPower’s demise. For the other side of the story, please tune into this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, August 06, 2024
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 1
Who would have thunk that you could put a 240 volt split phase inverter on the back of every solar panel? The gurus at Enphase and Akeena did, and I've been a fan ever since their first prototypes in 2008. In fact, I still have Enphase M-190 microinverters on my San Francisco home. Time for an upgrade? Probably! Our special guest is Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase. We've discussed microinverters for 16 years, witnessing Enphase's rise in the solar industry. Raghu shares insights on their product lineup, market segments, manufacturing hubs, and how they're leveraging IRA incentives. We explore open vs. closed home energy ecosystems, and the integration of battery, inverter, software, and EV charging technologies. We also cover whole home backup designs, industry challenges, and Enphase's influence on energy policies. Don't miss Part 1 of this insightful interview with Raghu on home electricity costs and reliability. Dial your browser to www.energyshow.biz for the inside scoop on Enphase and their latest products.
Thu, July 25, 2024
The Revolution in Home Battery & Solar Electronics - SolarEdge Interview Prt 1
You don’t have to be a Boomer to remember the days of simple DC wire connections to string inverters. For the most part, these times are long gone. Since 2010, module-level power electronics (MLPE) have taken over — and now, with batteries and advanced load control, solar systems have evolved into the energy focal point for homes. This Energy Show podcast highlights new capabilities from SolarEdge, broken up into two segments. Today’s podcast, the first SolarEdge segment, is focused on interests and needs for homeowners. We saved the geekier deep dive for installers in the second segment, which will be released in a few weeks. Joining us on these two SolarEdge podcast segments are Bertrand Vandeweile, SolarEdge’s new GM for North America, and John Ahlman, their Chief Marketing Officer. We dive into the benefits of optimized string inverters, batteries, and load control of multiple home devices. Discover why homeowners should care about lifetime system “energy harvest,” as well as the tradeoffs between open versus closed home energy ecosystems. Please listen to this first of two Energy Show podcasts with SolarEdge on www.EnergyShow.biz
Mon, June 24, 2024
My AC Broke - Is a Heat Pump Cool?
Yes, definitely. Heat pumps are literally and figuratively cool. And without a doubt, the best time to consider installing a heat pump is when your AC (or furnace) dies. Heat pumps do double duty, providing both heating and cooling. They offer significant savings and improved comfort -- which I confirmed first hand after my old outdoor air conditioner compressor died. Replacing both my old AC and gas furnace with a heat pump was one of the best home improvements I’ve ever made. The system operates almost silently, has better temperature control throughout my house, and my heating and cooling bills are down significantly. New heat pump models use inverter-based variable speed compressors with efficiencies in excess of 350%. These high system efficiencies mean that your total heating and cooling costs will almost always be lower with a heat pump than an ordinary AC and gas furnace. And from a comfort standpoint, with mini-split models you can even heat/cool individual rooms in your house! Sure, a basic AC replacement might seem cheaper initially. But keep in mind, federal tax credits and state rebates (part of the Inflation Reduction Act) will bring down the cost of your heat pump installation by $2k-$10k. So in most cases it makes sense to price out a heat pump when your AC fails in the summer, or your furnace fails in the winter. Want to learn more? Tune in to the full podcast at EnergyShow.Biz and discover why heat pumps are the smart choice when your AC can longer stand the heat.
Tue, June 18, 2024
Save the Photons
Consider the poor photons! If your panels are dirty you are causing trillions of premature photonic deaths when they collide with dirt molecules. Please give those photons the chance to knock an electron loose from an eager semi-conductor. Instead of being converted to heat and banished to quantum hell. Save The Photons. Clean Your Solar Panels After just a week, your panels might look slightly dusty. But a light coating of dust doesn’t significantly block sunlight. However, severe grime, especially on low-tilt panels, can slash your output by over 25%! You can’t save all the photons all the time, but by watching your solar monitoring system you can tell mathematically — as well as visually — when your panels should be cleaned. If you have a larger system in an area with high electric rates and a dry climate, the economics of cleaning become more favorable. When it comes to cleaning solar panels there’s lots of bad advice on the internet…and even from manufacturers. On this week’s podcast we address WHEN you should clean your solar panels, as well as HOW. Please listen to the full “Save The Photons” podcast on The Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz. And keep these three things in mind: safety, the type of water, and the best cleaning agents.
Tue, June 04, 2024
5 Reasons Not To Install A Heat Pump
Are you sick of all the heat pump hype? Skeptical about why you should buy one right away? Don’t mind paying huge bills to your utility for methane (natural gas)? Even heat pump enthusiasts like us agree with you — they are definitely NOT for everyone. Here are five reasons why heat pumps may not be the right thing for your house: 1. You don’t believe in global warming and prefer to burn fossil fuels 2. Heat pumps are too expensive 3. It's too complicated to install a HPWH or HP HVAC 4. You rent your house or plan to move 5. Your existing HVAC and water heater works fine With all the tax credits, rebates and financing options, heat pumps are more affordable than ever. They deliver significant energy savings, offer better comfort and provide superior indoor air quality — even for complicated installations. With efficiencies over 300%, heat pumps are almost always less expensive to operate over the long term, and can be installed in almost all existing homes. On the other hand, from an economic standpoint it often makes sense to wait until your existing heating equipment dies before replacing it with heat pumps. If you don’t believe in the science of global warming, maybe saving money with a heat pump will change your mind. For the full scoop and a heat pump reality check, please tune in to the full podcast at EnergyShow.Biz.
Mon, May 13, 2024
Limits of Growth in the Clean Energy Industry with Jon Semingson
This week's Energy Show dives into the tumultuous landscape of the clean energy industry, painting a picture of contrasting fortunes akin to the classic “Tale of Two Cities.” On one hand, we witness a surge in demand for clean energy, driven by improving economics, lower equipment costs, and rising electric rates, alongside enticing incentives. Yet, on the flip side, California experiences its first-ever decline in rooftop solar installations, coupled with a slowdown in electric vehicle growth and a resurgence of incumbent fossil fuel companies. Amidst this dichotomy, our guest, Jon Semingson, President of Peak Demand, Inc., sheds light on the critical challenges plaguing the industry's infrastructure and human resources. From a scarcity of skilled construction labor to a dearth of executive-level talent, the hurdles to industry growth loom large. Moreover, financing remains a linchpin, with uncertainties surrounding tax equity and interest rate trends. The urgency of these issues is underscored by the grid's perilous state, with transmission and interconnection queues adding to the mounting backlog of energy projects. As California grapples with policy-induced setbacks in residential, commercial, and community solar segments, the looming question remains: can utility-scale solar bridge the gap as electricity demand escalates, fueled by the surge in electric vehicles, AI, and heating needs? This podcast doesn't just highlight the industry's challenges but offers a platform for critical discussion and solutions. For a deeper dive into these pressing issues and insights from industry experts like Jon Semingson, tune in to the full episode at EnergyShow.Biz.
Wed, May 08, 2024
Elon Musk Is Right About The SuperCharger Business
I read an avalanche of media criticism when Elon Musk fired his entire SuperCharger team a few weeks ago. In spite of all the whining, it was a good business decision for Tesla. Here’s why: expanding and running a fast charging network is a lousy business. Installation costs are high, permitting and construction delays are extensive, and revenues from charging cannot overcome the high electricity costs charged by utilities. According to a McKinsey and Company study in October of 2023, most EV fast charging sites are swimming in red ink, losing $45,000 a year at every 4 port charging station. A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that a typical Starbucks in California would have to sell 56,000 extra cups of coffee every year just to break even on EV charging. That’s a lotta Joe. In spite of complaints about high gasoline prices, gasoline is a worldwide commodity with reasonable substitutes. Prices are set by the free market. But prices for electricity supplied to charging stations are set by utilities who have a monopoly on electricity sales. It's illegal for anyone other than a utility to resell electricity, so utilities can charge whatever they want. To make matters worse, Public Utility Commissions in many states let utilities run wild with sky-high electric rates and record profits. I’m a big EV fan, but the lack of EV charging infrastructure coupled with the extraordinarily high costs of charging will stifle the industry’s growth. California’s goal of selling only zero emissions vehicles by 2035 is a pipe dream. In order to hit that goal we need to quickly change the monopoly utility business model so that EV charging makes sense. But there's another faster and cheaper option: solar-powered EV charging. Solar charging is easy to do for homes — the average driver in California needs just 7 more solar panels to meet their annual driving needs. Taking it one step further, we should couple EV chargers with commercial solar installations. Think about it: shouldn’t we charge our cars during the day, when it's sunny, from inexpensive rooftop solar, at work, where the cars are parked? Instead of waiting to charge our cars at public stations which get expensive power from utility solar farms 500 miles away? Tesla’s Supercharger network challenges are just the tip of the iceberg. For more about costs and practical solutions to EV charging, please tune in to the full SuperCharger podcast at www.energyshow.biz
Wed, May 01, 2024
40+ Successful Years in Solar and Storage
10 years in the solar and storage industry qualifies most industry veterans as a solar old timer. But there is one person who stands out as a beacon of leadership, longevity and success. Ed Murray has been heating water molecules (solar thermal), converting photons to electrons (solar PV) and saving customers money since 1978. That’s 322 dog years! Ed Murray, CEO of Aztec Solar in Sacramento, knows solar thermal, PV and storage technology like the back of his hand. He’s managed to run his successful solar business in spite of the “solar coaster” craziness. But what impresses me the most about Ed is his industry leadership. Ed has been on the Board of Directors of the California Solar and Storage Association for 40 years, has been serving as its president since 2016, has been on the Board of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners for 14 years, and served on the Board of the Solar Energy Industries Association for 14 years. For a detailed dive into what it takes to be successful in the solar and storage industry for the long term, you don’t want to miss this episode of the Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz
Mon, April 22, 2024
Earth Day … So What?
It’s not a flippant comment or a classic jazz solo — but an existential question about the devastating trend our civilization is on due to climate change. The history of Earth Day shows how the worldwide environmental movement has evolved from concerns about in-your-face air and water pollution … to a focus on the invisible hazard of rising CO2 emissions. To a large degree we’ve cleaned up the worst of the visible air pollution, contaminated water, and toxic wastes hiding under a few feet of topsoil. In the first few decades of Earth Day, consumers, companies and governments were all pulling in the same direction to right these environmental wrongs. But something insidious happened due to the profits that can be reaped by polluting the Earth. Economists call it a Negative Externality (the imposition of a cost to one group of people as an indirect effect of the actions of another group of people). To fossil fuel companies, the negative externality they cause by producing oil and gas — which when burned pollutes the Earth with CO2 — is just a side effect to their record profits. For decades fossil fuel companies have been fighting and concealing this unprofitable truth. There is hope amidst this grim reality. The history of Earth Day shows how public opinion can indeed change this trajectory — especially as the effects of CO2 pollution impact all of us with flooded shores, burning homes and unlivable cities. For insights into our progress amidst this grim reality, please Listen Up to this week’s Energy Show.
Tue, April 16, 2024
Seismic Changes in the Solar and Storage Industry - Part 2
Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Scott Sullivan, my friend and one of the best networked executives in the industry. Earthquake excitement has diminished in the New Jersey area, but seismic changes in solar continue around the country. In Part 1 we discussed what happens in the solar and storage industry — really every industry — when company profits decline. It’s a tough adjustment to make, and many companies have not yet recovered from this high interest rate environment. Nevertheless, the majority of companies have figured out the formula, and the topics that Scott and I discussed are summarized below: * What are the characteristics of a great solar and storage contractor? * What should potential customers look for in a contractor? * Have you seen any changes with the solar panels offered by contractors? * Have you seen any changes with the inverters and batteries offered by contractors? * Is solar financing recovering yet from high interest rates? * Are Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and Vehicle To Grid (V2G) technologies getting much traction? * And last but not least, what do you do for fun? If you missed any of Part 1 or Part 2 of our podcasts with Scott Sullivan, please visit ENERGYSHOW.BIZ and listen to the full podcasts.
Tue, April 09, 2024
Seismic Changes in the Solar & Storage Industry
Seismic changes in the solar and storage industry? Who would have thought that our friends in New Jersey would relate so viscerally? Their recent 4.8 magnitude quake in early April literally extended this metaphor across the country. Metaphors aside, the solar and storage industry is changing faster now than I have ever seen: * Electric rates are soaring, along with utility profits * Solar equipment costs — panels, inverters, batteries — are declining * UL-3741 standards for rapid shutdown throw a monkey wrench into rooftop safety standards * Demand for electricity to power our EVs and heat pumps is increasing * AI is recently on the scene as the newest electricity demand wildcard * Continued high interest rates are suppressing solar and storage financing * Utilities have wised-up to rooftop solar and storage threats to their profits * Hostile utility policies and relatively high interest rates squeeze installer margins, forcing many unprofitable solar companies out of business * Some companies have cracked the code for long-time success — how do they do it? For cross country insights into the impact of these changes, our guest on this week’s podcast is Scott Sullivan. I’ve known Scott for over 20 years. Not only is he the best networked person in the industry, but his depth of solar sales and marketing knowledge is a treasure for people trying to figure out what’s next. Scott and I had so many topics we decided to split the podcast into two episodes. So please listen to Part One of Scott’s podcast for his observations and advice for these metaphorical seismic changes in the solar industry.
Tue, April 02, 2024
Installing Solar In The Big City
March isn't just about shamrocks and leprechauns; it's also Women's History Month, highlighting the incredible contributions of women in various fields. But have you ever wondered about their role in the energy transition? In general, women are just as involved as men — not just in solar, but also in batteries, hydrogen, policy-making, electrification, and manufacturing. However, there's a glaring gap in representation when it comes to the construction side of energy systems. But not at Luminalt Solar under the leadership of Jeanine Cotter, their President and CEO. Luminalt is the leading solar and battery contractor in San Francisco. One would think that it would be easy to be a solar and storage contractor in a liberal city such as San Francisco. Until you try to find a space to park your van. Or navigate the city’s convoluted permitting issues. Or just try to find a place for a battery and inverter near the electric meter. In our candid conversion, Jeanine and I discuss her journey as she built a successful solar company in one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Unlike most contractors, she didn’t start with a construction background; instead, she is a licensed California attorney. Take it from me: knowing how to navigate the regulations, policies and laws that apply to the clean energy industry is one of the most critical skills that a solar and storage company must have. But it's not all business; we delve into the personal side too. How did Jeanine get into solar? How does she champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within Luminalt and the clean energy industry in general? And perhaps most intriguingly, how does she suggest women navigate the traditionally male-dominated construction industry? Please listen to the full podcast for Jeanine’s insights into achieving success in the solar and storage industry and be sure to visit The Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz for access to all Energy Show episodes.
Wed, March 27, 2024
Questions to Ask Before Installing Solar
The Learning Curve for understanding home batteries and solar systems is steep. Your battery system education will require mastering at least twice as much jargon, TLAs (that’s Three Letter Acronyms), specifications and industry gossip than ordinary solar systems. So if you don’t want to get bamboozled by an aggressive salesperson, this week’s podcast is a great place to start. Some of the topics and questions include: * What is the best way for me to expand my existing solar system? * What are the important assumptions -- such as shading, battery location and equipment compatibility — that I should verify with my salesperson? * How long will my battery last during a blackout? Can my backup battery start large equipment, such as my AC or pool pumps? * What’s the difference between AC- and DC-coupled battery systems, and why should I care? * What changes do I need t make to add a battery to my existing solar system? * What are the building code and fire code restrictions on battery installations in my city? * Can I install two batteries alongside my house or in my garage? * Should I install an Essential Loads Panel, or just go with Whole Home Backup? *How can I connect a generator to my batter system? * What are my alternatives to doing an electric service upgrade? Answers to the questions above are not obvious, and vary significantly based on your location, existing solar equipment, and the electrical wiring in your house. For all the details, please tune into this week’s Energy Show podcast at www.energyshow.biz.
Tue, March 19, 2024
What To Do When Your Solar Installer Goes Out of Business
The Utility Empire is striking back. As a result, the rooftop solar industry is experiencing its first decline in growth ever. In California alone the end of Net Metering has resulted in an 80% drop in rooftop installations and 17,000 job losses among passionate Rebel solar installers. Utilities in other states are following California’s lead, leveraging their Death Star-caliber monopoly powers and millions in lobbying money to further reduce competition. Even though we need rooftop solar more than ever, this solar industry decline may leave both new and existing customers in the lurch. New solar and battery customers have fewer, although some will say better, choices. And people with existing systems may find that their original installer is no longer around to support their system. Jedi Geoff Greenfield from Kokosing Solar joins us on this week’s Energy Show. His suggestions will help both new and existing customers continue to benefit from money-saving solar and storage systems. He points out that there are still thousands of established local solar companies all around the country with the Force to be able to support their existing customers — as well as orphan customers. Here's the bottom line: if you're investing in solar, you need to choose wisely. There is a Dark Side to the cheapest or fastest solar and storage internet deal. In some cases the companies pitching these systems may not have the resources to complete your system, no less support it for its 25 year projected life. What may seem like a too good to be true deal may very likely cost you in the long run. Please tune in to the full podcast at www.energyshow.biz for Geoff’s wisdom and solutions for the best ways to navigate these changes in the solar and storage industry.
Tue, March 05, 2024
Why Is Solar Taking Over The World?
This week we’re talking about World Domination. Domination of energy production, that is. In the re-scrambled words of the wise and infamous Dr. Evil: “Why make Gigawatts when we can make…Terrawatts!” Indeed, solar is on track to completely dominate electricity generation. Solar is growing faster than wind, nuclear and LNG ever did. Alternatives to solar such as nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS), and CO2 direct air capture (DAC) are way too expensive and very slow to scale to meet our needs. And with batteries sited with solar, we’ve solved the problems of intermittency and power when the sun is down. Costs for rooftop solar and storage are continuing to decline as manufacturing scale increases. According to the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), rooftop solar can meet 45% of our energy needs. The rest can be easily met with utility scale solar. So as long as we aggressively pursue deployments of BOTH rooftop and utility solar and storage, there is no doubt in my mind that by 2050 our society will be almost completely powered by solar. For more about Solar Power World Domination, listen to the full podcast at www.energyshow.biz.
Wed, February 14, 2024
No Such Thing as Free Lunch or Free Solar
If you’re thinking about solar there’s something important you should know. It should be obvious, but just in case: there is no such thing as Free Solar. Getting solar — or a battery -- installed on your house is not cheap and certainly not free. These projects are significant construction and electrical improvements. No company will install solar or a battery for free. I guarantee it. The Romans had a term for it: Caveat Emptor. Let The Buyer Beware. Unfortunately, disreputable companies still advertise Free Solar. I see these ads on the internet every day. Many states, including California, have laws against this type of false advertising. Nevertheless, these deceptive sales tactics persist. The U.S. Department of Energy advises people to watch out for “too good to be true” offers. Beware of hard-sell attempts to collect your personal data in exchange for a free solar or battery quote. Make sure the contractor you select has the proper installation and sales licenses. If you find yourself a victim of a Free Solar scam, your best option is to contact your state’s Contractor Licensing Board or Consumer Protection Department. Homeowners are even more vulnerable now that electric rates continue to skyrocket. My advice is to be patient, get educated about solar and battery technology, and get references from experienced local installers. These local companies are most likely to design a customized system, install reliable equipment, and provide the necessary service over the lifetime of your system. For more about the persistent and probably painful pretense of Free Solar, please tune into this week’s Energy Show, or go to ENERGYSHOW.BIZ.
Thu, January 25, 2024
Which Solar Panels Should I Buy?
It’s no surprise that this is the most common question, since the solar panels themselves are the biggest cost component of a typical rooftop system. But I’m not going to give you the single "Best Panel" answer you may be looking for. Sorry. With over 100 companies making solar panels worldwide — and vast differences in efficiency, aesthetics and reliability — there is no one answer. So instead I’ll focus on the factors and characteristics to help you make the best decision for your particular circumstances. When I think about my 20+ years of installing rooftop solar panels, I’ve come to the conclusion that highest efficiency, quality features, country of manufacturing, low light performance, annual degradation, rock bottom pricing, proprietary cell technologies, fancy advertising, long warranties and Top Ten lists DON’T REALLY MATTER! You can throw every one of these manufacturer claims and specifications out the window if the solar panel manufacturer goes out of business, or just arbitrarily decides to ignore problems with their product. What REALLY MATTERS is your confidence in the local installer you choose to install the system. That local installer’s business depends on happy customers for the long term. You can — and probably should -- pepper them with questions. Good installers will do their best to make good on warranties, even when the solar panel manufacturer disappears. So I suggest you trust their objective advice on the best panels for your particular roof space, orientation and budget. Please listen to this week’s Energy Show for my advice on finding the Best Solar Panels for your rooftop.
Wed, January 10, 2024
Blame California Politicians for the 28% Electric Rate Increases on 1/1/2024
As in year’s past, we in California greet the New Year with yet another electric rate increase. It’s almost impossible to believe this time — but on January 1, 2024, PG&E raised electric rates by another 28.4% according to the San Jose Mercury News. Just follow the money. Since 2017, Utilities and the IBEW spent over $111 million on politicians and ballot measures to maintain their monopoly. So it should be no surprise that our government passed laws that make California’s peak rates the highest in the country. The Solar Rights Alliance compiled this list of Utility and IBEW Contributions from publicly available data. So you can see for yourself how much your own politicians -- from the Governor on down -- accepted in contributions. Please listen to this episode of the Energy Show as I connect the dots from these contributions to: ...Anti-solar laws passed by California’s Legislature ...The Governor's appointments of new California Public Utilities Commissioners ...The end of Net Metering ...An array of hostile rooftop solar policies affecting homes and businesses ...Out-of-control utility spending on long distance transmission lines on which utilities get a guaranteed 12% annual profit ...The impact on low- and middle-income residents ...The crash of California’s rooftop solar and storage industry ...The $500+ million budget deficit these job losses will create for California ...And the $500+ million in extra revenue that utilities will rake in from these lost home and business solar installations. My two recommendations to reduce your electric rates are simple: 1. Vote these politicians out, and 2. Consider installing your own rooftop solar and storage system To view the list, please go to https://www.energyshow.biz/listaccess Please forward this Energy Show podcast to any of your friends who are also wondering why their electric rates are so high.
Wed, January 03, 2024
10 Home Energy Predictions for 2024
I’ve added electrification predictions for 2024 to my customary set of solar and storage predictions. Electrification incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are already starting to drive demand for heat pumps and electrical upgrades, just as tax credits accelerated the solar and EV markets in the past. So here I go again sticking my neck out with these ten home energy predictions for 2024: EVs will be equipped with integrated 240-volt generators for home backup and evening power Heat pump sales will surge by 25% Fewer than half of the newly announced clean energy manufacturing plants will be completed Utilities in other states will follow California’s lead to end Net Metering Residential solar revenues in California will plunge by 50% A national-scale solar installation company will file for bankruptcy Tesla will claw its way into the U.S. inverter business Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) will not gain traction The residential battery system business will consolidate It’s Game Over for fossil fuels For more details on my Home Energy Predictions for 2024, please go to www.EnergyShow.biz.
Wed, December 27, 2023
What You Need to Know About Heat Pump Water Heaters
It’s not a matter of IF your hot water heater dies – but WHEN . According to the Department of Energy, the average lifespan of a hot water heater is 13 years. So if your hot water heater is over ten years old – or if you’re planning to electrify your home -- the time to PLAN for a Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) is NOW. Heat pump water heaters have become consumer favorites — and the bête noir of natural gas companies – because they have efficiencies in the range of 200-300%. Much more efficient than gas water heaters (70-80%), electric water heaters (99%) and tankless water heaters (70-99%). Plus, there are no dangerous exhaust fumes or methane fuel. Their big disadvantage is that they are not an easy replacement for a tankless hot water system. This is because customers who have a tankless system almost never have space for a large hot water tank. So if you have a tankless system – whether inside or outside your house – a HPWH is usually not a good option. There are three reasons why the up-front costs for a new HPWH are usually higher than a simple replacement with a new gas or electric water heater. First, a HPWH is more complicated. Second, most HPWH incentives (except tax credits) require you to bring your existing hot water system up to current building codes. And third, you will need a dedicated 240 volt electric circuit for the most popular HPWH models. Net-net, it’s a little-known secret that these HPWH upgrade costs often negate the value of tempting IRA and local rebates. Nevertheless, heat pump water heaters will continue to be the gold standard for water heater replacements. Please tune into this week’s Energy Show to unlock the future of home domestic hot water heating.
Wed, December 20, 2023
COP28 Realities - Now We're Really Screwed
The goal to cap global warming to 1.5C is just a pipe dream. At the rate the earth is warming we’ll hit that threshold in 2026 or sooner. And since our consumption of fossil fuels continues to increase without any meaningful reductions of airborne CO2 concentrations, we are on pace to hit 3C by 2035. It doesn’t take a doctor to diagnose the illness: our planet is sick from global warming. Or to determine the cause of the illness: CO2 emissions. Or the cure: stop burning fossil fuels. But fossil fuel companies and countries are determined to increase the use of fossil fuels. Oil and gas interests were out in force at COP28, from the President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber — his day job is the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) — down to the 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance. OPEC instructed its members to oppose any language targeting fossil fuels, and Ahmed Al Jaber stated that there is no science indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed. The Fox (the metaphor, and maybe the network too) is guarding the hen house. And this fox has stated that he has no plans to stop eating chicken. Fossil fuel dominance of the global warming agenda will continue as long as the economics of fossil fuels are so favorable. Pumping oil and gas out of the ground is a license to print money, with virtually no downside risks due to the harm that is created. There are three things we can do to change the lopsided economics of fossil fuels: - Don’t vote for politicians who support fossil fuels - Continue efforts to expand customer-sited solar and storage - Install your own solar and storage system before politicians change the rules Amid this gloomy news there are a few bright rays of hope. COP28 formalized a pact to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Our best shot is to leverage the superior economics of solar, wind and batteries to quickly phase out the use of fossil fuels. For a realistic exploration of the realities of COP28, tune into this week’s episode of the Energy Show.
Mon, December 04, 2023
I'm Electrifying! How do I upgrade My Solar System?
When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would say: “I need more power.” Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the upfront costs of these electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the operating costs of these new electrical appliances is with more solar power on your roof. But upgrading an old solar system is not for the faint of heart. New solar inverters and panels are unlikely to be compatible with your existing system. Your utility may restrict the number of panels you can add. And sometimes your electrical service may require an upgrade to handle the higher power output from your upgraded solar system. Keep in mind these three recommendations. First, it is relatively easy to add a battery to an existing system. Second, seriously consider replacing the entire system if it is over 15 years old. And third, work with an experienced solar installer who’s familiar with older equipment. For the nitty gritty details about upgrading your existing solar system, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.
Mon, December 04, 2023
EV Charging with Tom McCalmont
By 2035 all new cars in California will be electric. It’s an achievable goal based on lower operating costs and rapid price declines for new EVs. But the current per kwh costs of EV charging continue to increase -- and we continue to be woefully short of necessary EV charging infrastructure. I predict a massive backlash against expensive and inconvenient EV charging. Our EV deployment goals are likely to fail. Miserably. The reason is simple: our EV charging paradigm is based on utility profit maximization as they take over the corner filling station – NOT lower driver operating costs (cheap and convenient charging) and NOT leveraging the value of these mobile batteries (such as Vehicle to Home charging). One of the leaders who “thinks different” is Tom McCalmont, CEO of Paired Power. Tom’s product line at Paired Power harnesses local solar power during the day when cars are typically parked at work, shopping malls and other public places. The Paired Power system uses low-cost Level 2 or DC solar charging stations, and avoids expensive and time consuming utility interconnection costs. Both EV owners and manufacturers will benefit. Tune into this week’s Energy Show for a glimpse of the alternate EV-solar future. Imagine charging your car inexpensively at work during the day, and just driving that massive car battery at home and powering your house. Say goodbye to outrageous peak evening electricity costs and blackouts!
Wed, November 01, 2023
Inside Scoop About Heat Pumps for Your House
Inside Scoop About Heat Pump HVAC Systems If you can answer these three basic questions, then don’t bother listening to this podcast. The questions are tricky, so if you're the least bit uncertain I suggest you listen to this week's riveting Energy Show episode. How can a heat pump be 300% efficient? Are gas furnaces still the most popular new heating system? Can you get an $8,000 IRA rebate and $2,000 Federal Tax Credit for a heat pump installation in 2023? First, we’ll delve into the way a heat pump HVAC system works. In a nutshell, a heat pump is an air conditioner operating in reverse. This heat pump thermodynamic trickery has been improving so much that heat pumps are now standard equipment on most new homes. They also work great in cold climates, unlike the systems I installed in the ‘80s. Retrofitting a home with a heat pump — which both heats and cools — provides homeowners a great deal of design flexibility. Heat pumps can use existing ductwork, can be installed “ductless" with mini-splits, or a hybrid that combines both. All without a single inch of sticky duct tape. When designed and installed properly, the end result will be an efficient, clean, comfortable and code-compliant heating and cooling system. And affordable. That’s where the IRA comes in. Ahhh, the Inflation Reduction Act. Without a doubt the biggest federal incentive program for clean energy technologies. But complicated with a blizzard of regulations, requirements and not-quite-ready forms for us to fill out. Please tune into this week’s Energy show for an answer to the top three Heat Pump HVAC questions, as well as plain English details about the benefits of heat pumps, how they work, and honest answers about available incentives.
Thu, October 26, 2023
Electrical Upgrades for Home Electrification
There is one thing for certain as you electrify your house. You’ll need more electricity. Duh! But getting more electricity from the street to your house is not easy. Bizarrely, it often takes longer to do these electrical upgrades than it does to install your new all electric appliances. When — not if -- your old gas hot water heater dies, you don’t want to wait months for a new 240 volt circuit for that new super-efficient electric heat pump water heater. Nor do you want to delay the installation of your new heat pump HVAC system while you wait for a new electric panel. So you need to plan in advance for these upgrades. There are three general types of upgrades you will need as you electrify your home. First, you will need a dedicated electric circuit (wires and a separate circuit breaker) for each new appliance. Second, you may need a new electric panel if there is not enough space for these new circuits. Third — and most problematic since your utility is involved — you may need to upgrade the electric service from the street to your house. No one likes delays and extra expenses. But there is some good news. There are tax credits and rebates that can significantly reduce these electrical upgrade costs. Tune into this episode of the Energy Show for a detailed rundown on planning for these electrical upgrades. These upgrades take time, but you’ll thank yourself later once they are done and your electrification project proceeds smoothly.
Fri, October 06, 2023
IRA Incentives What's Really Available Today?
The Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, became law in August 2022. It's packed with incentives across the entire value chain, including domestic manufacturing, energy-efficient products, and clean saving energy. But these fantastic incentives do not yet match the realities of what you can get today for your electrification project. The table below shows the most significant IRA electrification incentives that are available to homeowners in 2023, as well as pending IRA incentives in 2024. Many utilities, counties and cities also have localized electrification incentives, such as the SVCE and PCE rebates shown in this table. There's a clear divide between tax credit incentives and rebate incentives. Tax credits are the heroes, with no application process, simple documentation and automatic credit on next year’s tax return. The only downside with tax credit incentives is that they only make sense for homeowners who have an annual tax liability. Rebate incentives -- while well-intentioned — often get bogged down with paperwork, documentation and payment delay nightmares. The rebate terms in the IRA are set by the Department of Energy (DOE), and administered by state energy departments, such as the California Energy Commission (CEC). Unfortunately, even though these appealing rebates have been dangling in front of our eyes since August of 2022, the administration details and forms are not yet available to contractors and customers. There are two other aspects of rebate incentives that you need to consider. First, the IRA rebate incentives are only available to homeowners whose average gross income is less than 150% of the local median income. Second, the additional documentation and paperwork requirements for some rebate programs exceed the value of the incentive. For example, the $1,750 IRA rebate for a heat pump water heater (HPWH) that will be available in 2024 may require a blizzard of paperwork, a contractor affidavit, code-required plumbing upgrades, and a finalized building permit — increasing costs of the HPWH project from $4,000 to $6,500. In other words, the realistic costs of getting the rebate are higher than the value of the rebate itself! The IRA is the biggest clean energy legislation in the U.S. Ever. There is no doubt in my mind that these incentives will accelerate our transition away from polluting sources of energy. But there are a few bumps in the road to electrification. For more about the realities of the IRA for your home, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.
Wed, September 27, 2023
How To Select The Best Home Battery
Batteries were everywhere at September’s RE+ Conference in Vegas. I counted over 100 different battery company and system vendors. It was more of a battery and solar tracker show than a solar show — demonstrating the rapid evolution of these clean energy technologies. But out of a hundred batteries on the show floor, there are only half a dozen that I would recommend to homeowners. Home battery systems should provide reliable backup power during a blackout, and also generate utility bill savings. The vast majority of batteries I saw on the show were basically not ready for prime time. Here’s why… First, you need a complete battery system, not just a battery. In addition to the battery, these systems require controls, an inverter, an enclosure, a transfer switch, communications, and a lot of software. It’s extremely important that all these major components are controlled by one company. Batteries are not “plug and play” like printers and solar panels. Second, your battery system should be manufactured by an established company with a strong balance sheet and local service and support — not just a PO Box and a WhatApp number. I often say that it takes an army to grow a successful battery storage system company. Almost impossible to succeed on a shoestring. Third, you need a contractor that knows how to install, configure and support the system. Solar contractors with electricians on staff are generally the most qualified. An experienced local solar contractor is best positioned to give you good advice. Based on recent installation data from Ohm Analytics, the most popular battery systems are from Tesla, SolarEdge, SunPower, Enphase, Generac and FranklinWH. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and be specific about my favorites. Enphase is best for small systems. FranklinWH is best for fast installations and whole home backup. SolarEdge has the most efficient system, and can install the most battery capacity in the smallest space. And Tesla is currently the least expensive and has a well-known brand name. For more about my recommendations of home battery systems, please listen to this week’s Energy Show. You’ll get a charge out of it!
Wed, September 20, 2023
54% of New Electricity Is From Solar - You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet
Proving the solar skeptics wrong, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) now expects that utilities will add 54.5 Gigawatts of solar generation capacity in 2023. And this capacity does not include 6.4 Gw of residential installations and 1.7 Gw of commercial installations expected in 2023. SIDEBAR: a Gigawatt is a billion watts of power. In 1955 the eminent Dr. Emmett Brown stated that the only power source capable of generating 1.21 Gigawatts is a bolt of lightning. Obviously things have changed in the future. For over 20 years the EIA predicted that fossil fueled power generation would continue as our leading source of new power generation. They’ve been among the biggest solar skeptics, predicting that solar would never catch up. But now, solar-generated electricity is the cheapest source for new power. By far. Utility solar plants generate electricity for less than $0.02/kwh, and residential rooftop systems generate electricity for less than $0.08/kwh. Compare that to the $0.16/kwh average costs for power in the U.S., and $0.35/kwh for the average home in California. You may have heard about some of the solar industry "ups" (increased solar tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act and more affordable battery storage systems) and "downs" (less favorable utility solar rates and tariffs on certain solar equipment). These ups and downs define what we in the industry call the Solar Coaster. Although challenging to predict, the one thing we can count on is that the economics for solar will continue to improve. Equipment costs are trending down, utility rates are increasing, and the reliability of the grid keeps getting worse and worse — all at the same time we are electrifying our buildings and transportation systems. To really understand the ups and downs in the solar industry it’s necessary to look at the economic drivers in each of the main industry segments: Utility, Commercial and Residential. System costs, government policy and incumbent electric rates affect each of these market segments quite differently. In spite of this variability, the health of the overall solar industry is quite good. For a detailed dive into each of these market segments, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.
Tue, August 22, 2023
Solar and Storage Under New California Electric Rates
HEADLINE: Higher Electric Rates and More Blackouts Unfortunately, this is the new normal for most of the U.S. In other words: SNAFU This situation will not change. It’s a little-known fact that utilities use our money to influence politicians to maintain their monopoly. To the tune of $18m in California just in 2022. Government regulators are supposed to ensure that utilities provide inexpensive, reliable and safe power. However, this poorly regulated capitalism is not working. Just look at your electric bills over the past few years. Count the number of blackouts you’ve had. Heard about any wildfires recently? Solar is the cheapest way to generate electricity, and batteries are a cost effective and reliable way to keep that power flowing. But ONLY when you own those solar panels and batteries. In spite of all the solar and battery investments made by utilities, our rates keep going up. We're experiencing record numbers of blackouts. And wildfires are becoming commonplace. The electricity game is rigged. New electric rates in California are cheapest in the middle of the day when there is abundant solar generation. But at night rates are more than double. So ordinary solar customers are forced to sell power back at low rates during the day, and buy power at high rates at night. Buy high. Sell low. You can beat the utilities at their own game if you have rooftop solar combined with a battery. Or two. Store your own solar-generated electricity in your battery, and then use that electricity at night. Buy low. Sell high. Plus you’ll have backup power during the next blackout. You don’t need an MBA to figure that out. Please tune into this week’s Energy Show for more details about California’s new electric rates — and how you can save money by adding a battery to your solar system. To learn more about how Investing in solar and storage delivers more than just keeping the lights on, please listen to this episode of The Energy Show.
Wed, July 05, 2023
Biggest Electrification Roadblock is Your Utility
Our society is moving rapidly towards electrification. Building electrification is good for the climate, good for our health, and good for our economy. We’ll all be using more electricity — it’s inevitable. Luckily, using all this extra electricity for our heating and our cars is inexpensive when you get it from rooftop solar and storage. But utilities have a monopoly on electricity distribution. They’re rubbing their greedy hands together like Montgomery Burns, safe in the knowledge that as long as their monopoly holds, people without solar and storage will have to pay exorbitant rates for power. All the tax credits, IRA rebates and local incentives that benefit homeowners to electrify will ultimately mean even more profits for utilities -- and much higher electric bills for everyone. Even though electricity rates are supposed to be regulated, when it comes to safe, clean and inexpensive power — money talks much more loudly than morality. It’s a little known fact that utilities around the country contribute enormous amounts to politicians. For example, in 2022 over $18 million was spent by utilities and their employees to influence California politicians, $5 million to the governor alone. That’s why the California Public Utility Commission unanimously voted to eliminate net metering for solar. Think about it: utilities are using our money to lobby the government to enforce and extend their electricity monopoly. But you don’t have to be subject to escalating electricity rates and unreliable utility power. With rooftop solar and storage you can generate your own power at a fraction of the rates charged by your local utility. Solar and storage is the perfect complement to an electrified home, not only because your electric bills will be lower, but also because you’ll have a source of backup power during the next blackout. For more about utilities leveraging their monopoly on electricity — and what you can do about it -- please tune into this week’s Energy Show podcast.
Tue, June 06, 2023
DIY Home Electrification Measures
On this week’s show we’re talking about the first steps toward your home electrification project. What I call the Low Hanging Fruit. These are easy and cheap energy efficiency measures — most of which you can do yourself (DIY) or do not require any special contractors. Many people recommend starting with an energy audit of your home. However, unless you're working with a local energy auditor that knows your local conditions and incentives down to the city level, the standard energy audit recommendations are almost always wrong or out of order. Beware of utility energy audits and recommendations because they almost always ignore energy efficiency measures that cut back on their own revenues — such as installing solar and battery systems. So here are some of the Low Hanging Fruit electrification measures that you can do on a weekend with a trip to your local hardware store: * Replace all of your incandescent and compact fluorescent lightbulbs with LED bulbs * Eliminate Vampire loads in your house * Install a wifi setback thermostat * Seal air leaks around doors, windows and ducts One step beyond these easy measures are upgrades or electrification of your energy hog appliances. You’ll need a few more bucks for these measures, and in some cases you may want to hire a local contractor. It’s a no brainer to replace your old gas dryer with an electric dryer, change out your old pool pump with a variable speed pump, and replace your gas range with an induction cooktop. If you live in an older home in a cold or very hot climate, consider adding insulation to your attic and walls, and changing out your single-pane windows with double or triple pane windows. But watch out, some of these building shell upgrades have long paybacks. So my advice is to get started on these DIY Home Electrification measures. When you consider newly available local, state and federal incentives, many of these Home Electrification measures have paybacks in fewer than two years!
Tue, May 23, 2023
Heat Pump Systems with Dennis Stinson of Fujitsu
More heat pumps were sold in 2022 than gas furnaces. And that was before the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) kicked in, which provides an $8,000 rebate for most heat pump installations — on top of a $2,000 federal tax credit and city/county incentives that can exceed $3,000. Heat pumps are cleaner, more efficient and less expensive than most conventional gas furnaces and air conditioners. But the variety in heat pump system configurations, efficiency, and costs is enough to make even a geeky engineer’s head spin when trying to determine the best solution for a particular home. My guest on this week’s Energy Show is Dennis Stinson, VP of Sales at Fujitsu General America. Dennis has been in the heat pump business for over 30 years. Along the way he’s accumulated a wealth of practical knowledge about heat pump installations for just about every type of building in the U.S. So if you’re wondering what the difference is between a ducted and ductless system, why high efficiency heat pumps use inverters (but not the solar kind), the importance of variable speed fans and compressors, the meaning of a mini-split cassette (this happened to me when I ran over my collection of 70s classic rock tapes), the difference between SEER and COP efficiency metrics, or whether or not a roll of duct tape can seal your ducts — I think you’ll get a lot out of this week’s Energy Show.
Tue, May 23, 2023
Getting Started with Home Electrification
How would you like to reduce your home energy costs, improve your health and comfort, and at the same time do your part to improve the environment? If your answer is “yes,” then listen to this week’s Energy Show episode. If your answer is “no,” then maybe you don’t need your share of the $10,000-$40,000 incentives that are available for your home. The concept of Home Electrification is simple: you replace gas appliances with electric appliances — either all at once, or as the old gas appliances stop working. But the whole-home electrification process can be daunting. You will need to evaluate the costs and incentives for each electrification measure, hire several different types of contractors, and then sort through their varying recommendations. The biggest barrier to Home Electrification is that people just don’t know where to start. So here is my recommended Three Step Electrification Process: * First, attack what I call the Low Hanging Fruit — mostly simple DIY changes like installing LED lighting, weatherstripping and home controls. * Second, get quotes from contractors for each major project: electrical upgrades, solar and storage, heat pumps for HVAC and water heating, EV charger, induction cooktop, etc. Remember, there is no cost to just getting quotes — so don’t delay this step. * Third, evaluate the costs and incentives for these electrification measures, define contractor schedules and get started. In six to twelve months you’ll be delighted with much lower energy costs, a more comfortable and healthier home, and a much lower carbon footprint.
Tue, February 14, 2023
Lessons Learned Installing Battery Storage Systems
Batteries are becoming an essential part of home solar systems. With solar-connected batteries, homeowners can avoid paying peak utility electricity charges. Batteries can provide backup power during blackouts. And if you’re in California, after net metering ends in April 2023, you will need batteries to avoid peak electric rates. In the old days, automobile-style lead acid batteries were used for backup power and time-shifting energy use. I still have holes in my old blue jeans where battery acid splashed (my kids think they are fashionable now). Starting in 2016, lithium ion batteries became popular for home use. Now, over 50% of our customers are installing batteries with their solar systems. My guest on this week’s Energy Show is Magnus Asbo, Senior Director of Technical Marketing for SolarEdge. I’ve known Magnus for almost 15 years, starting when we worked together on the first AC solar module. He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing and installing practical battery systems. Some of the questions that Magnus and I cover in this week’s Energy Show are: - What are the real world kw and kwh limitations of battery systems? - Every battery manufacturer offers a 10 year warranty on their batteries – what are the terms and limitations of these warranties? - Rooftop solar systems don’t need a lot of care and feeding. Do battery systems need more attention? - Is it easy for a solar installer to start installing batteries, and do they need an electrician on staff? - How does the UL-9540a building code affect the locations in which batteries can be installed? - Are there additional software and communication requirements for installing battery storage? - Why do I need a battery after net metering ends in California? If you’re thinking about installing battery storage with your solar system, you’ll get a lot out of this week’s Energy Show.
Thu, January 05, 2023
What's an Atmospheric River.. and Why Should I Care
According to Wikipedia -- which has supplanted the Oxford English Dictionary and Encyclopedia Brittanica as the world’s definitive source of information -- an Atmospheric River consists of narrow bands of enhanced water vapor winds that form over the oceans. In plain English, Atmospheric Rivers are windy rainstorms that dump a huge amount of water in a relatively short time. They account for about 50% of annual precipitation – so these storms are critical to reducing California’s current drought conditions. Since our crews work on rooftops, we’re very concerned about rooftop safety. As a result we always look at forecasts when planning rooftop work for our customers. This morning I noted that significant rain is projected for eight of the next nine days. In over 22 years of installing solar in Silicon Valley I have never seen such a severe and extended series of storms. The National Weather Service is predicting that this next atmospheric river storm will be as bad or worse than the recent New Year’s Eve deluge. You can look at the detailed forecast yourself. Suffice it to say that wind gusts will be in the 35-55 mph range, with rainfall estimates ranging from 2 to 10 inches. With storms like this one -- especially when the ground is soggy -- it’s reasonable to expect many power failures due to downed electric lines and flooded underground wiring. Storm drains will clog, leading to widespread street flooding. And some local creeks are already at flood stage. But there is some good news. Reservoirs and aquifers are filling up, reducing drought conditions. Sierra snowpack is growing, so there should be more water available for summer hydroelectricity — and the skiing is terrific. Your rooftop solar panels are getting cleaned from these downpours. If you have a solar-powered battery backup system, please take note of two features available on most systems. First, we recommend that you increase your minimum battery reserve to 50%. Second, enable the Weather Guard or Storm Preparation feature on your system, which will automatically keep your battery at 100% state of charge if there is an imminent bad weather event or PSPS. To learn more about these crazy atmospheric river storms and how solar and battery storage can keep your lights on, fridge cold and family connected, listen to The Energy Show.
Sat, May 04, 2013
Top Ten Residential Solar Questions
In our opening Energy Show we discuss frequently asked questions about residential solar.
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