Renewable Energy

You might hear the term “kilowatt-hour” occasionally in daily life, although it’s more likely in specific situations. 

For instance, you might see the term on light bulbs, cooking appliances and other household items. But you’ll certainly see it on your solar power equipment — specifically on its meters.

If you’re a solar user, it’s important to know what a

Solar is one of the most viable renewable energy sources. And as more and more people realize this, they’re investing in solar more widely. 

But what’s the government got to do with it?

With Presidents’ Day around the corner, we’ll highlight some presidents who’ve made strides for renewable energy, as well as the government’s role in creating policies and

Our sun is the source of all life on Earth, making solar energy useful to us in many different ways. 

The sun creates two main types of energy — light and heat — that we can harness for numerous activities. These range from prompting photosynthesis in plants to creating electricity with photovoltaic (PV) cells to heating water and food. 

People have long known that solar power betters the environment and public health. But it also benefits the economy.

The North Carolina and U.S. governments are now turning to renewable sources to address an increasing demand for energy. However, supply chain interruptions, economic strain and lack of technicians are hurdles to clean energy distribution. 

Let’s explore what this

With massive strides in solar technology over the centuries, solar power has become a mainstream solution for many everyday energy needs. But homeowners and businesses can also use solar power in emergency situations, such as power outages.

Winter storm Uri, also called the 2021 Texas freeze, not only knocked out the state’s power grid but

In keeping with several other states, North Carolina is showing a clear commitment to clean energy, sustainability and equitable income. 

In early 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed several executive orders (EOs) geared toward making the state more environmentally friendly. These included EO 246, which set goals for achieving net-zero emissions in North Carolina over the coming decades.

With fuel, natural gas and electricity costs on the rise, energy inflation is cutting into the average American’s monthly budget. In many states, this is hastening the transition to solar energy.

This is especially true in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, Virginia recently surged into the top five states in the nation for solar capacity.

Dominion

The short answer is yes, solar panels work on cloudy days. 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells will still generate energy even when light is partially blocked or reflected by clouds. But there are a few things to consider when determining how much energy your panels can produce on those particularly overcast days. 

Byron Kominek’s farm — rebranded as Jack’s Solar Garden — sits right outside Boulder, Colorado, in the city of Longmount. It’s one of the most thriving agrivoltaic farms in the country. 

However, its 24 acres weren’t always prosperous.

The farm mostly produced hay over the past 50 years. Now, it’s gone through a major transformation

More and more people are becoming aware of solar panels after seeing an increasing amount on the roofs of homes and businesses. 

However, a term that may be new to you is “hybrid solar system.” Hybrid solar systems allow you to source energy from the grid if your home solar panel system doesn’t generate enough electricity

Are you interested in harnessing renewable energy but not sure how it works?

Whether you choose to purchase or lease solar panels, the final cost will depend on a few factors. If the price of paying cash to purchase is out of reach for you, leasing is an option that keeps renewable energy accessible.

“Florida’s leadership on solar has not only provided residents with clean, renewable power but has also given other cities an excellent example on how to make it happen.”

—Ryann Lynn, Environment Florida Research and Policy Center

The Environment America Research and Policy Center, a national network of environmental groups, released a report ranking the nation’s top solar energy

On December 7, 2021, Denver-based nonprofit Arc Thrift Stores announced its partnership with SunShare, a solar energy company also in Denver. 

Through this coalition, Arc Thrift Stores will power all 30 of its locations with community solar energy. This creates a more sustainable business model for the company — and allows the community to reap a range of benefits.

Two companies are building a large new solar farm spanning 1,350 acres in Elm Branch, about 40 miles south of Dallas. The 163-MW facility is the first major solar project that L3 Harris Technologies (L3Harris) and Lightsource BP solar panels have developed.

In fact, it’s the world’s largest solar project, containing more than 360,000 solar panels. This project

Houston started its journey toward a greener, more equitable future through solar energy in 2017. 

That year, Houston officials joined 13 other cities in the C40 Reinventing Cities Competition to turn disused land into sources of carbon-free power. Partnered with private firm Wolfe Energy, officials found hope in an unlikely place: an abandoned 240-acre dump in southern Houston’s

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. and around the world for their environmental and performance benefits. Meanwhile, manufacturers are launching plug-in EV models across their fleets.

Whether you own an EV or are interested in purchasing one, there’s a fair chance you’ll also be in the market for a home charging port for your EV

Renewable energy has been growing in popularity and necessity over the years, making solar power an increasingly bigger priority. One recognizable trend in 2021 is that geography is less of a deciding factor in whether or not a state is a leader in solar power. 

The Solar Energy Industries Association releases its quarterly rankings of solar industry strength in

Most people know of solar power and its status as a “green energy.” But fewer people know about the specific environmental and public health benefits of solar power. They are more substantial than you might think.

How does solar power impact greenhouse gas emissions? How does it affect the ground and water supplies? How can solar energy benefit your

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is booming beyond the passenger car market. Public transit buses, trucks of all shapes and sizes (including long-haul semis) and even large tractor trailers are using electricity to power up. 

Here’s a look at the current and expected reality of charging an EV at public stations on the road and at home. 

Determining who makes the best solar panels can be challenging, especially with the proliferation of solar companies over recent years.

In this article, we present the most important considerations to evaluate the quality of solar panels and share recent findings from third-party review sites.

You can use several criteria to evaluate the quality of solar panels:

• Efficiency

Colorado State University (CSU) in Pueblo is the first university in the state to reach net zero energy. That’s thanks to the newly installed CSU solar project on campus.

CSU announced the completion of its on-site solar project on Aug. 19, 2021, in partnership with Johnson Controls, Capital Dynamics and Black Hills

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common as the world learns more about climate change and renewable energy. And with EVs comes the need to charge them. Here’s what we at Freedom Solar have to say on the topic of solar-powered EV charging stations. 

An EV station is also known as an EV charger,

Agrivoltaic farming is gradually becoming more well known as people prioritize sustainable agricultural methods and renewable energy. As a result, there are multiple Colorado agrivoltaic farms and organizations to check out.

CALC is a nonprofit located in Longmount, Colorado sponsored by the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC). CALC’s work focuses primarily on educating