Strategy and Best Practices, Energy
Article | July 27, 2022
With the popularity of solar increasing across the country, the number of solar installers has been multiplying. Unfortunately, many fly-by-night companies with minimal installation experience or larger national firms with little market history are trying to capitalize on the industry’s growth. In addition, the sheer volume of installation partners that consumers have to choose from can result in a great deal of buyer confusion.
More choices, more issues
As the number of solar installers has gone up, so have complaints and issues related to providers and their service. Recently, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry reached terms with Empire Solar Group LLC’s trustees, a national solar installer that went bankrupt earlier this year, leaving 45 homeowners in Minnesota with projects in various levels of incompletion. Unfortunately, they’re not alone, as many other consumers have also fallen into precarious situations after companies using high-pressure sales tactics have been unable to deliver on the work. Michael Allen, CEO of All Energy Solar, says, “He’s angered that companies go out of business and face no fines.” Allen and other established industry leaders have done their best to help out customers caught in the middle of an installer’s bankruptcy issues, but there is only so much they can do.
What protections do consumers have?
In some cases, states have put into place protections for consumers; for example, in Minnesota, consumers stranded with uncompleted projects can get access to the state’s Contractor Recovery Fund, which receives money from licensing fees to help offset these costs. But that is of little comfort for those trying to determine what partner to choose for their project.
The best bet
When picking a solar installation partner, your best bet is to avoid those with high-pressure sales tactics, “too-good-to-be-true” pricing, or ones with little to no installation experience. Don’t simply trust the sales rep, do a little of your own research to see what other customers are saying. Looking for a record of successfully completed projects and businesses with state and national certifications can be another way to confirm credibility.
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Solar+Storage, Strategy and Best Practices
Article | September 17, 2022
We’ve talked a bit about the functioning of solar panels, the mechanisms behind them, and the best panels suited for the average Indian household. Check them out for the starters. For this article, we’re detailing a complete guide to the components and installation of a solar system.
Solar panels are all but a part of the complete setup of a functioning solar system. It is the basic building block of the system, but there’s more to it than just a silicon wafer panel. The other necessary components include Solar Inverters, Batteries (in a select type of system) and Panel Structure/Stands, and other accessories.
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Solar+Storage
Article | June 8, 2022
A high-tech greenhouse comprised mainly of solar glass generating electricity to help run it was officially opened yesterday in Western Australia.
ClearVue Technologies Limited’s solar glass involves a nanoparticle interlayer and spectral-selective coating on the rear external surface that enables 70% of natural light to pass through while redirecting infrared and UV light converted to infrared to the edge where it is harvested by solar cells. ClearVue says each 1m2 of its window product is currently rated to generate 30 watts-peak of electric power, but also mentions a new-generation product with the proven ability to generate 40 watts peak per m2 to be available sometime this year.
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Strategy and Best Practices, Energy
Article | July 27, 2022
While most businesses presently strive to achieve environmentally friendly operations and lower their carbon footprints, this argument might not sway all businesses or company executives. While using renewable energy sources or energy management systems has clear environmental benefits, businesses that want to improve their operations and decrease overhead expenses should also consider such technologies.
A steady and high-quality power supply is required for the smooth running of any kind of industry. Energy management systems (EMS) are used by a variety of industries to provide a consistent and dependable supply of energy.
Energy Management Systems: Advantages for a Business
Businesses and industries that use energy management solutions often achieve considerably bigger savings than those that do not use such systems. EMS examines all of the company's processes and enhances them for energy savings. The savings realized by the usage of energy management systems have a direct influence on the bottom line. Some of the most significant benefits of energy management systems are listed below.
Improved Brand Image
Using energy management systems result in lower power usage and, as a consequence, more environmentally friendly operations. Process optimization is recognized by business clients, customers, and suppliers because it shows excellence in planning and management.
Better Productivity and Competitive Edge
Reducing energy consumption via process optimization and effective load planning not only increases the overall productivity of industrial operations but also helps businesses to catch up with their competitors through continual process development.
Cost-Reduction
Energy management systems can ensure at least a 20% decrease in energy bills. System administrators can save up to 10% of their total energy expenditures with modest investments and no upfront costs. Supervisors can save up to one-third of their initial overhead expenses by using energy management solutions in a planned and methodical manner.
Closing Lines
An energy management system can help any organization save money on energy bills. There are many different energy management systems on the market, so make sure you choose one that is the right size for your business. If you're unclear about which system to buy, a good energy monitoring system can help you assess your performance and point you in the correct direction for process improvement.
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