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I spoke to about 100 fifth grade students at Tanglewood Elementary in Fort Myers today. After several questions about the cost of solar panels, one student asked, “How much do solar panels cost on Black Friday?” Needless to say, my answer was prefaced by a long pause – I didn’t prepare for that one. I fielded well over 30 questions by my estimation. The vast majority of questions were surprisingly keen and perceptive. I have spoken to kids before about solar energy, but a raucous crowd of ten year-old kids can really get excitable. As usual, three or four students had their hands straight up,Read More →

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The solar industry is relatively young and many new contractors entered the market in the last several years. It’s not uncommon to find the wrong parts used in a solar electric installation. I get to see plenty of solar energy systems installed by other contractors after they are long gone. Some mistakes are understandable (and common). Others are comical (from my point of view). Some are downright dangerous. There are a number of reason this occurs: Inexperienced solar contractors simply do not know what parts exist, so they use a common incompatible part. Electrical contractors may not be highly experienced with DC electrical components. SpecializedRead More →

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Your Southwest Florida photovoltaic (PV) system may be getting very dirty, reducing system output this time of year. The lack of rain lets dust, pollen, and bird droppings collect on the module surface. It’s a good idea to keep your modules clean to maximize system output. Cleaning your modules is usually as simple as using a regular garden hose to spray them off. If additional soiling is present, a mild detergent may be used with a soft cloth or soft boat brush. Take great care and always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for your particular solar electric panel. If you need the instruction manual forRead More →