In the quest for a sustainable future, renewable energy stands at the forefront of solutions combatting climate change and fostering energy independence. For North Carolina residents, the opportunity to contribute to this green revolution is accessible through Duke Energy’s Net Metering Program. This initiative allows homeowners to generate their clean energy and receive financial benefits

The Duke PowerPair program is a beacon of innovation in renewable energy, specifically tailored for homeowners in North Carolina. Launching in the spring of 2024, this initiative is not just a financial incentive program; it’s a bold statement in the fight against climate change. It represents a significant shift towards sustainable living, allowing homeowners to

Solar energy isn’t just a smart choice for the environment – it’s also a savvy move for your wallet. The federal solar tax credit, a key financial incentive, has made the leap into solar energy more appealing and attainable for homeowners nationwide. This guide will explore the ins and outs of this tax credit, shedding

The renewable energy sector, and solar energy specifically, is not known for diversity in the workplace. SEIA, Solar Energy Industries Association, tracks diversity by gender and race. SEIA’s 2019 report (linked here: https://www.thesolarfoundation.org/diversity/) provides great insight into not only current figures but also growth and progress. The report shows that the solar industry is less

EV charging infrastructure

It really is a “Which came first? The chicken or the egg?” type of scenario. Do we jump in with both feet and flood the streets with EV’s or do we wait on the infrastructure expansion of hundreds of thousands of chargers to be installed? Those of us that are in the market for our

Solar shingles

Solar Shingles – Worth the Hype?

There has been a lot of buzz about solar shingles and solar roofs the last couple of years. Is this new(er) solar medium worth the hype? Most experts in the industry agree unanimously, NO. Tesla’s famous roof tiles made their debut in 2016 where they were presented as a non-functional prop at Universal Studios. Since

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Enphase Ensemble and microinverter

Enphase Energy’s Ensemble Enphase’s newest and eighth generation microinverter, the IQ8, debuts with a new “grid agnostic” system. Enphase has now officially stepped into the hybrid PV system arena with energy storage under the name Ensemble. With convenient features like smart phone monitoring and virtual assistant integration with Alexa, Enphase is giving homeowners easy control

Fossil Fuel pollution

Mammoth Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Subsidies in the form of tax credits, rebates, and other incentives for clean energy have been a major contributing factor to the growth of solar installations in recent years. Detractors of renewable energy often use the argument that renewables cannot survive without these subsidies. What these detractors are often not aware of is the staggering

Residential solar panels

Anyone who has lived near Asheville, NC for any amount of time has seen how competitive the real estate market has become. There are homes being built and sold every day at a premium. A recent study has shown there is an earth-friendly way to increase the resale value of your home (vs a kitchen

Recently, Washington D.C.’s city council voted unanimously to require the district to use 100% renewable energy by 2032. Additionally, all public transport vehicles and privately-owned fleets will be required to be emissions free by 2045. With the threat of climate change becoming more and more prevalent, this fast-tracked plan will hopefully set a precedent across

Did you know the price of solar energy has dropped 99% since its major debut four decades ago?!  A recent analysis by MIT researchers contributes this radical reduction in pricing to not only innovations in technology but also, and mostly, to government policy. Solar energy, not unlike most technologies, has benefited greatly from the common

solfarm solar co barn usda rural renewable energy

With all the recent talk about the Duke Energy solar rebate there has been little highlighting of funding available for rural businesses and agricultural producers provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. Small businesses in rural areas and many agricultural producers are eligible for guaranteed loans and unrestricted grants to help finance energy efficiency

SolFarm Solar Co residential solar installation

There is a lot to consider when making the decision to put a solar energy system on your home- upfront financial costs, tree shading on your roof, your home’s roof orientation (North/South, East/West), and environmental benefits- but HOA regulations should not have to be a factor.  When initially talking to people considering solar power, they

Australia battery subsidy

Australia Offering Battery Subsidies

Similar to the rebate that Duke Energy is offering locally here in North Carolina to its customers for the installation of solar energy, the Southern Australian government has just announced a $70M subsidy for residential battery systems.  Currently, batteries are by far the most expensive aspect of a solar energy system but are not necessary

Green Neighborhoods list 2018

Green Neighborhoods

Green built housing, energy awareness, and conscious living are all very prevalent here in Asheville, NC which is why many of us choose to live here. I wanted to explore other neighborhoods that had similar values and found the Clean Energy Authority’s top ten neighborhoods for green homes. Unexpectedly, three of the top ten neighborhoods

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