California is taking solar energy to a whole new level The days where proponents of renewable energy must carry the burden of proof for advocating solar as a viable alternative to fossil fuel energy are coming to a screeching halt. On March 5 th , California served up 50% of the state’s demand for electricity. The next day, a second record was reported by utility operators for a total of 10,411 megawatts generated from solar energy, beating even last year’s record by 5%. Overgeneration has become such a phenomenon in the state of California that the state is regularly giving away electricity to Arizona and other states to avoid overpowering its own power lines. In fact, sometimes it pays out other states to take it. What’s even better than free energy? Energy that pays! The same happened for eight days in the month of January and nine more in February. The over-...

The Trump administration on Monday announced a decision to impose new tariffs on cheap, imported solar panels, which industry experts say could slow U.S. installations by as much as 11% through 2022. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Fees on solar panel imports imposed this week by the Trump administration threaten to increase customer costs and cut solar energy growth by as much as 11% over the next five years, but the industry remains optimistic that the roadblock will be temporary. The new tariffs probably will add about $650 to the average solar power system a homeowner would buy, said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the Solar Energy Industries Assn. But the added cost is unlikely to stop consumers and businesses from going solar or force solar companies out of business, she said. "I think in the long run, there's no turning...

President Donald Trump's New Deal for Solar The landscape is rapidly changing for the solar industry. As a result of President Trump's recent decision on Section 201 Solar Trade Case, a new tariff will be charged to all solar imports coming into the USA. Companies that wish to sell foreign solar panel components in America will be hit hard with a 30% tariff in the first year, 25% in the second year, 20% in the third year, and 15% in the fourth year. The reasoning behind this is to level the playing field for American solar companies to compete in the market as part of Trump’s presidential agenda to “Buy American and Hire American.” This will affect how foreign manufacturers of solar can sell their solar panels in America as well as the prices they can sell them for. Buy American Solar and Save on System Costs If you as the fiscally-concerned American...

Exciting News For Nevadan Homeowners After nearly two years of set-backs and policy deliberation, we finally have very exciting news to share to homeowners in the state of Nevada. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) has unanimously approved a draft order initiating new rules and regulations accommodating solar homes. Now solar is once again a viable option for homeowners looking for new and better ways to power their homes. The decision was set into law recently with the signing of Assembly Bill 405 by Governor Sandoval in the wake of hundreds of solar worker layoffs and several installers pulling out of the state. The homeowners of Nevada have spoken of their frustration and their voices have been heard with the reinstitutionalization of net-metering which is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the...

By Geddy Friedman

The electricity bills never stop

For most of us who haven’t yet gone solar, we know what it’s like every month to check our mail or inbox and see another bill from the utility company. Every year we watch as electricity rates go up 7–10% even though we are basically using the same amount of electricity. Utility companies claim that they have to make routine repairs, updates, etc. to existing equipment and pass those increases onto the customer . . . permanently!

It seems inescapable. What else can we do? As long as we pull our electricity from the grid, we will be subject to these annual price increases. And no matter how long we pay them for, we will never own a piece of the utility company. Well, if you are a homeowner, I do have good news for you. Due to the advancements in photovoltaic panel...

On Saturday, December 19, 2017, seven runners representing Green Solar Technologies gathered at the Main Plaza of the Fairgrounds at Fairplex in Pomona, California to contribute to “Holiday Half Marathon & 5K Ugly Sweater Run.” The goal of this annual charity run is to raise awareness for various organizations making a difference in the lives of children. This year, funds were raised for Marine Toys For Tots Foundation (dedicated to providing toys to underprivileged children) and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (dedicated to the various rehabilitative needs of children). Not a stranger to charity for children’s hospitals, Green Solar Technologies has also donated $25,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital earlier this year. Green Solar Technologies looks forward to getting involved in more charity work in 2018. To learn more about GST, or to get a solar...

By Geddy Friedman

Talk of solar is on the rise. Whether in city council meetings, at environmental-awareness events, or coming from the thrifty homeowner next door, the numerous benefits of solar energy are becoming part of the mainstream conversation. Most people now in the U.S. either went solar, are going solar, or know somebody who did. If you are a home or business owner and are still unsure if making the switch to solar energy is a good one for you, perhaps you should consider the . . .

Top 5 Reasons To Go Solar! #1 Drastically reduce your power bill

Yes, it’s true. Going solar will save you money. A LOT of it! It’s all in the mathematics of your system design. If you have a system that will cover 100% of your daily energy demand (DED), then essentially you stop paying for electricity from day one. From that point onward, you...