Blog

Learn more about how solar energy is changing the world.


Solar Add-Ons: Do’s and Don’t Bothers
Critter Guard: Do Squirrels love to nest under solar panels, which can cause a bunch of nasty problems. They can chew up wires, tear up shingles, and prevent the roof from properly shedding rainwater. Worst of all, none of this


Case Study #2
Our team installed this 41-panel, 3-array solar system in Stafford County in June 2020. The system uses triple black 360W panels and microinverters. We designed the system with the panels arranged in both portrait and landscape orientation to best utilize


Making the Switch in Northern Virginia
States and even counties vary wildly across the country on their “solar friendliness” (the ease and cost of going solar). This can be for reasons from lack of statewide laws that aid in solar being a positive financial investment, to


Case Study #1
Nova Solar installed this 46-panel, 3-array solar system in Loudoun County in September 2019. The system uses triple black 310W panels and microinverters. The homeowner is projected to save around $66,000 dollars over the life of the system. Location: Ashburn,


String or Micro: Which Inverter is Right for Me?
What is an inverter and why do I need one? When solar panels generate energy, it is created in the form of DC (Direct Current) electricity. As it is, this electricity is not usable for our homes. All the equipment


Solar System Shading: What to Know
Despite the abundant number of variables involved in estimating the production of a solar system, the overall process is conceptually quite simple: 1) estimate the amount of sunlight (photons) reaching a solar


Solar for New Homes: How to Plan Ahead
There are a multitude of challenges facing the owner, architect, and general contractor when planning and designing a new home. Due to the evolution of solar technology and its recent explosion in popularity, many architects and contractors do not


The Expert Guide to Comparing Solar Quotes
While comparing quotes can be difficult in any arena, it is a particularly troublesome for homeowners going solar. Fortunately, there are a few short tricks that enable customers to accurately differentiate between competing bids. This article will break down the


Solar Panel System Aesthetics: What to Look For
As with many other aspects of a home, aesthetics is a primary concern for most residents considering a solar system installation. A properly-crafted solar array can maintain and even improve the appearance of a roof by covering unsightly roof characteristics


How Does Snow Affect Solar Panels?
How does snow affect the performance of solar panel power? It’s not uncommon to get heavy snows in the Virginia/Maryland/DC areas, and sometimes it can cover the ground for two weeks of the year. Some important implications to consider are