With more solar storage batteries in every home, we can lessen the infamous duck curve, save people money, and do our part to create a more sustainable future. Haven’t heard of the duck curve? Let us shed some light. The impact of solar on the electrical grid We know that solar energy is better for the planet and our wallets, but we don’t often talk…
As it stands, after 2022 the 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit will be reduced by 18% before it is ended entirely by 2024. Valley Solar is hoping, just like you, that Congress will pass legislation to extend the tax credit in some form. We just don’t know if it is going to happen. As things stand, if you don’t have a system installed and operational before…
Partnering with the Wonderfund, a non-profit that supports children involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Valley Solar donated $10,500 to support the Wonderfund’s annual Holiday Drive for the 2021 Holiday seas On the company’s decision to give back, Mike Hempstead, Valley Solar co-owner and President, said, “The Valley Solar team is pleased to have supported the Wonderfund’s Holiday Drive to help ensure that…
One of the biggest mental hurdles towards choosing to go solar is the perceived investment cost. However, incentives such as the Federal Solar Tax Credit can take thousands of dollars off that investment and make solar a savings rather than a cost. So why should you invest in solar now? Because 2022 is the final year of the 26% Federal Tax Credit. If you don’t…
As published in The Daily Hampshire Gazette March 24, 2021 By Mike Hempstead The February power grid failure in Texas caused 4.6 million customers to lose power, cost an estimated $195 billion in property damage, and took the lives some 70 people, including that of an 11-year-old boy who froze to death in his bed. As tragic as this toll is, we now know Texas…
We live in New England. Cloudy days, thunderstorms and snow are all par for the course. So, when looking into solar energy you’ve likely asked yourself a common question: will my solar energy system work when the sun is not out? The answer is yes, it will, as long as you install a battery backup system together with your solar panels. WHAT IS A BATTERY…
Our access to food, water, heat and lighting depends on our access to electricity. Therefore, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, power outages increase in duration and frequency as well and our access to these living essentials are inhibited. According to the Eaton Blackout Tracker, between 2012 and 2016 alone there was a 45% increase in summer outages due to extreme weather…
Electric rates vary depending on a number of factors, including geographic location, industry trends and market changes, as well as time of year. While rates vary, one thing is certain: the average American spends hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on electricity. One study found that between five and 22 percent of a family’s after-tax income is spent on paying energy bills in the United States. On…
As more states legalize the use of cannabis for recreational and/or medicinal purposes, it is important to recognize the impact these technological and economic changes have on electric rates. In Massachusetts and across the country, energy consumption has spiked as a byproduct of advancements to cultivate marijuana. While cannabis farming has inarguably revolutionized modern society, it nonetheless has increased the demand for electricity varying per…
In Governor Baker’s interim Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030, Massachusetts will ban the sale of new gas powered vehicles. This effort will be made in an attempt to reduce the state’s carbon emissions by 45%, paving the way for the target net-zero emissions by 2050. According to Morgan Folger, director of Zero Carbon Campaign at Environment America, transportation is one of the largest…
If you are looking for ways to reduce your energy bill or to become less dependent upon the grid, you are probably researching solar energy systems and the costs associated. There are several different payment options for you to choose between: Lease: Renting a solar system from a third party: Solar leasing is when a leasing company installs a solar system with no upfront cost for…
Cyber-attacks are not as uncommon as most people may think. The fact is that cyber-attacks happen daily, and large cyber-attacks are very real threats that deserve to have more attention focused on how to eliminate the threats, or at the very least how to decrease the impact. Just this month there was a large cyberattack that forced the temporary shut down on a major pipeline…
What exactly is AC and DC coupling? These are ways that solar panels are coupled or linked to a battery system or energy storage. The connection between the solar panels and the energy storage system can use either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)—two types of voltage which transmit and conduct electricity. AC is when the electricity flows back and forth rapidly in both…
Summer is quickly approaching and with it also comes hurricane season. Taking a proactive approach and getting prepared ahead of time ensures that you and your family are ready for whatever comes your way. In the past, preparing for storms meant gathering gallons of bottled water, flashlights, batteries, and candles just to name a few. These are still considered important to have on hand, but…
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