Smart Solar Articles

Installing a solar energy system is an investment that will dramatically lower your home energy bills, carbon footprint, and reliance on fossil fuels. There are

Washingtonians spend over $20 billion on energy each year, and most of that leaves the state to fund oil and natural gas. This is about

Oregonians spent $12.1 billion on energy in 2020, a drop from the recent peak of $14.2 billion two years prior. This includes power and fuel

Electricity rates are rising across Oregon and Washington, prompting many people to take a closer look at their electricity bills. However, many families find it

        If you are considering installing solar panels on your home, you undoubtedly want to get the most clean energy you can

Geopolitics, inflation, and severe weather events are causing natural gas and coal prices to soar. The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a surge in natural

If you have a solar system, it will produce a lot of clean energy on sunny days. However, what if it generates more electricity than

There is a prevalent myth that electric vehicles aren’t better for the climate than gasoline-powered cars. However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency,

The United States has more power outages than any developed country. Unfortunately, blackouts are becoming more frequent in the United States due to an aging

Many of our customers in Oregon and Washington wonder how much a solar energy system costs. Our prices vary depending on the brand of solar

Solar panels have grown in popularity recently across the Pacific Northwest because they produce clean, affordable energy. As concern about high electricity costs and climate

Although solar panels get a lot of attention, inverters are also a critical system component. In fact, proper selection of an inverter is essential for

Installing solar panels is one of the few home improvement projects that actually pays for itself over time with energy bill savings. In fact, one

The design life of a solar system is about 30 to 40 years. That means your solar panel system can outlive most of the appliances

Many clean energy experts predict 2022 will be the year of the electric vehicle (EV). More battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

As extreme weather becomes more and more common, so are power outages. Unfortunately, intense storms and high winds can cause blackouts, often from downed trees.

Residential solar energy systems are designed to last for about 30 years, and most are installed on rooftops. Because of the long lifespan of systems,

Homeowner associations (HOAs) help protect homeowners’ investments in a neighborhood. They create covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that shape how residents can use and alter

More Oregonians are using solar energy than ever before! Residents that want to run their homes with solar PV panels have two main options. They

Many Smart Solar Energy customers want to ensure that their solar PV panels operate at their optimum capacity. This helps boost the return on investment

Many solar shoppers are motivated by utility bill savings. Often, homeowners realize they are wasting a hundred or more dollars a month on electricity with

Contrary to popular belief, solar panels do generate electricity in the fall and winter months. In fact, solar panels produce energy even during cloudy weather,

A solar system will not provide electricity during a power outage unless paired with a solar battery bank. Solar installers must design systems to shut

Many Oregon families want to go solar but don’t have the cash on hand for this investment. For this reason, solar loans are a very

There will be over 3 million solar systems in the U.S. by 2022. As solar energy systems become more widespread throughout Oregon, Washington, and the

Solar panels are made up of a number of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity. During nighttime, there is no sunlight and hence,

Installing a solar system is an excellent way to virtually eliminate your power bills and use clean energy to power your home. A well-designed and

It’s said that there is no place like home. However, many of the comforts of home rely on a functional electric grid. During power outages,

Washingtonians who are considering solar energy for their homes are lucky to benefit from a wide range of extremely solar-friendly state and federal policies that

At Smart Solar Energy Co., one of the most common questions our customers ask us is “how many solar panels do I need?” Most homeowners

For homeowners, switching to solar can feel like a big, intimidating financial decision. However, until they’ve had an in-depth consultation with a knowledgeable installer, most

The main difference between buying vs. leasing your solar system is the question of ownership. When you lease your solar system or sign a power

There is a major misconception about solar, especially in the Pacific Northwest, that we would like clear up. We talk to homeowners every single day

In the last decade, the cost of solar has seen a massive drop, making switching to green energy more affordable than ever. By the second

Why Install a Solar Battery? Today, homeowners who make the switch to solar energy have more options than ever when it comes to their home

For homeowners who are looking to install solar panels, the first step is usually a solar audit. The solar audit determines if your roof is

Ever since its inception in 2003, Tesla has positioned itself as an industry-leading producer of affordable electric vehicles. Elon Musk, the (sometimes controversial) CEO of

A Brief History of Solar Panels Solar panels have gained immense popularity over the last few years, but they aren’t a novel technology. Back in

Homeowners who are considering solar often want to be sure that making the switch to green energy will actually be cheaper than continuing to buy

Oregonians who are considering solar energy for their homes are lucky to benefit from a wide range of extremely solar-friendly statewide policies that are designed

Installing solar panels in your home can provide several benefits — lower electricity bills, a reliable energy source, and an increased home value. There is

The sun has served humanity as a principal source of power for far longer than most people realize. Humans have been harnessing solar energy for

Is solar power really worth it? This is the question that all homeowners who are considering going green ask themselves. And the question that usually

What is the Difference Between a Grid-Tied Solar System and an Off-Grid Solar System? When you choose to go solar, you can choose between a