Rapid Shut Down In 2014, the National Electrical Code included a new requirement, 690.12(1) through (5). It was a short requirement – only six sentences. PV system circuits installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function that…
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What do you get when you cross one partner’s love for coffee and baking, with the other’s can-do attitude and draw to renewable energy? A solar-powered café on wheels. The Dream Years ago, Kathy Reinert pondered how best to channel…
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The 2020 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has – to put it mildly – created a lot of uncertainty for people all around the world. By now, hopefully you are doing your part to practice the self-quarantining or “social distancing” behaviors recommended…
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It’s no secret that the altE Solar Installer Conference is a destination event for, well, solar installers, from around the world. Did you know it’s also a great place to learn the basics of solar? Each year altE hosts two…
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Sunlight doesn’t just power your solar panels – it heats your batteries. With fewer hours of sunlight per day, winter is the time of year when it’s most important to make sure the energy storage component of an off-grid solar power…
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October 2019 saw the largest power outage in California’s history. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) cut power to 700,000 homes and businesses, leaving over one million individuals (including our co-workers at Real Goods) without power for more than two days….
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So, you just got a solar panel that has no polarity labels. How can you figure out the proper polarity, which terminal or wire is plus and which is minus? Here’s a couple of easy tips than can even be done…
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Tiny is Huge! Tiny Houses are a big success these days. Minim Micro Home in Washington DC Cutting back your possessions to the bare minimum and fitting your new life into a tiny house has become a dream for many. With…
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Words Matter When discussing electricity, in this case solar panels and energy, it is important to use the right terminology to make sure everyone understands what you are talking about. Two of the most commonly confused terms are Watts and…
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Holiday Solar Gift Ideas for Under $100 ‘Tis the season to be racking your brain looking for the perfect gift for the ones you love. How about the gift of solar? Here’s a few gift ideas that won’t break the…
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