John Fitzgerald Weaver
Solar 101: What’s my solar system going to cost?
Think of your solar system as a custom retrofit. That means the list of unique variables and components can be long, and hardware requirements may result in a significant pricing variance.
Solar 101: How to find … and evaluate … a solar contractor for your rooftop project
A well-designed rooftop solar system should last 20 or 30 years, or longer. This guide for choosing the right contractor should help ease your concerns.
Solar 101: Working the angles to maximize your solar system’s output
Using Normal, Illinois, as a … well, normal … case study, we look at how a roof’s latitude, pitch, and azimuth affect energy output.
Solar 101: Attaching your solar system to your roof
A solar racking system’s strength is determined in part by the metal racking, but it also depends on the roof’s underlying structure. Rafters and any supporting structures must be strong enough to withstand your region’s maximum wind and snow loads.
Solar 101: Is my roof ready for solar?
In this series, we’ll break down the decision-making process into bite-sized pieces so you can navigate the process and feel good about your choices.
Making the numbers work for a residential energy storage system
Solar-plus-storage on residential rooftops pencils out in only a handful of markets. Here’s how the numbers work.
Here’s how to get solar power on roofs and in the ground
Tax credits are great, but many individuals and businesses don’t pay enough in taxes to make them work. Why not create a paradigm shift in how credits are distributed?
The solar install game is changing: Will you be ready?
As national solar lease companies layer the industry and as more states weigh new-construction solar mandates, the pace of change–and the nature of competition–will only accelerate for local rooftop solar experts.
Minute to design it: Solar design apps save time creating proposals for owners
In a sales environment where only one in 10 viable solar projects moves forward, getting from a good idea to a firm decision by a customer needs to happen fast. Here’s how one commercial solar installer makes technology work.
Hosting capacity maps: A gold mine for solar developers
Multiple states require electric utilities to share their power grid data with solar developers. The resulting tools are like treasure maps for solar developers.
