In the demo below, we show what happens when you point solar panels at different angles from the sun. Video Transcript So what I’ve got here is one solar panel, it’s a 5W 12V panel, and I’m measuring the amps –…
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Did you know? We now post photos and videos on Instagram! Follow @altestore on Instagram for the latest DIY solar projects and solar systems from customers around the world. Share your DIY solar projects and systems with us for a chance to get featured on…
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Other than the obvious difference of 12 solar cells, there are pros and cons to using 60 and 72 cells in different solar power systems. First a little background. Solar panels are made from blocks of silicon ingots that are…
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Winter is Coming, Solar to the Rescue. You know what winter means for those of us in non-tropical locations. Power lines downed by snow and ice can wreak havoc on the power grid, knocking out power for days or even…
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Outback Power has created a nice tool for remotely monitoring and configuring your solar power system from any Internet connected PC, tablet, or smartphone. OpticsRE allows you to log in to your system to view real time data, as well…
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Massachusetts’ previous Governor, Deval Patrick, had set a target for 1,600 megawatts (MW) of solar power in Massachusetts by 2020. We are currently at about 86MW. However, there is currently a restriction on installing any new solar power systems in…
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The technology for grid-tied solar systems has changed rapidly since its start around the turn of the century. With many choices now available, it can be a bit confusing to decide which is right for you.
In an earlier blog, Financing Your Renewable Energy System, we made the statement, “The lure of no money down for leasing is tempting, but the economics show that owning your system offers much better payback over the life of the…
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The 30% Federal Tax Credit, the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2016, dropping commercial incentives to 10%, and residential to zero. The ITC was first enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act…
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Local solar and renewable energy incentives offered by states, municipalities, and electric companies are continuously changing. They can be rather difficult to understand, so we’re going to update you on a few programs we’ve heard about recently.