As you’ve likely noticed, utility rates keep rising – but why? Depending on who you ask, you might get different answers. Utilities blame the cost shift, but what’s the truth behind that reasoning?

First, let’s define “cost shift.” It’s the idea that solar users don’t pay their fair share of costs from the electric grid, and that these costs “shift” to non-solar users. The idea sounds plausible at a glance, but in reality, it’s built on bad assumptions. Read more to learn the truth.

Maintaining a healthy and productive solar system is the key to receiving the optimal return on your investment. A clean solar panel is a working solar panel! Poor maintenance of a solar system, including overgrown weeds, animal droppings, or layers of dust or mud, will obstruct the panels and interfere with inverter functionality. Ignoring panel cleaning will greatly affect production and can cause system parts to be damaged or inoperable.

During this spring cleaning season, read our quick guide on system maintenance to help you make the most out of your investment.

You’ve heard it time and time again – energy rates are increasing, and companies are getting hit hard by the burden of increased utility costs. While this isn’t news, what you should know is how much they’ve actually increased, and what it means for you. Let’s break it down.