Although the sun powers solar panels all year, there are a few reasons why spring is a good time to consider making the switch. Why Install Solar in Spring? Summer months generate the highest production due to longer days and warmer temps, allowing you to store excess power for future use or sell it back to the grid Households can avoid increased energy costs from A/C use Spring tax refunds can generate additional savings in 2025 with the Federal Solar Tax Credit In Ohio, it can be easy to forget about the sun in the winter – but spring will be here before we know it! Contrary to popular bel ..read more

Stranded Solar Systems, sometimes called Solar Orphans, refer to abandoned or neglected solar energy projects or installations that are left incomplete or non-functional by the original contractor or installer. Not only is this frustrating for the property owner, who is left with an inoperable or underperforming system, but it results in wasted resources and lost potential for renewable energy generation. There are several reasons why PV systems may be abandoned. One common cause is the bankruptcy or financial instability of the project developer or installer. In some cases, the project may b ..read more

YouTube: https://youtu.be/G6F40C0LMCE St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Delaware has taken a big step toward a renewable energy future! Last month we completed their installation of 112 solar panels, thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In addition to extending the solar tax credit, the bill expanded the credit to give municipalities and non-profit organizations more incentives to go green. When Dr. Louis Iverson, the Solar Project Chair for St. Mark’s and a retired ecologist for the US Forest Service, heard about this, he knew it was time. “In the past couple of decades there ha ..read more

This month, electric utility customers who receive their generation supply through AEP Ohio’s Standard Service Offer will see an increase in their bill. To help customers understand the reasons behind the rate change, as well as the implications for homes powered by solar, we asked our experts to explain. AEP Rate Increase at a Glance In the two most recent auctions, the lowest bids submitted by those who supply energy to AEP were significantly higher than prior cycles. These suppliers attribute the higher cost of generation to increased consumer demand, supply chain issues, and the war in U ..read more

As we close out 2022, let’s take a moment to reflect on what this year has brought: The extended solar tax credit: Instead of waving goodbye to the tax credit after 2023, the tax credit has been increased back up to 30% and extended through 2032. Along with it comes rebates for efficient appliances and home insulation. A big step forward for renewables: The stress of global events and worrisome news about the Earth’s climate is undeniable, but the silver lining is that the demand for renewable energy has increased beyond any projections from a decade ago. Demand for solar increased 40% this y ..read more

We’ve talked a lot about the Inflation Reduction Act’s increase and extension of the solar tax credit, but what other benefits are there? HEERA: High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act In addition to receiving 30% back on solar installations, HEERA offers up to $14,000 per year in discounts for low- to mid-income households for purchases of electric appliances. You can receive rebates for heat pumps for heating and cooling (up to $8000), electric stoves (up to $840), and insulation (up to $1600). Medium-income is defined as up to 150% of the local median income, and low-income includes house ..read more

Have you heard anything spooky about solar recently? It can be difficult to parse out myth from reality. Is solar the solution to allour problems? Or will it leave you in the dark at night or any time the sun dips behind a cloud? TRICK or TREAT? Get paid to go solar! [TRICK!] Don’t be tricked by offers that sound too good to be true – unfortunately, solar isn’t free. Prices have dropped drastically, making solar more attainable for many more households and making it pay off in many ways financially, but it is still a big purchase and the decision shouldn’t be made based on vague promises of ..read more

My name is Lily McBride, the new office manager at Ecohouse Solar, and I grew up an hour north of Columbus. Our founder, Kevin Eigel, likes to say that all environmentalists grew up on a creek but for me it was with a river at the bottom of the hill. I grew up spending my summers swimming in the Kokosing, biking and hiking all the trails in the area, and building forts in the woods behind our house. Ever since I can remember, the great outdoors was a magical place, which as I grew older, translated into actively respecting and preserving nature. I studied music composition and performance at K ..read more

As climate change intensifies and alternative energy options become more economical, residents and businesses throughout Central Ohio have begun to realize the benefits of switching to solar energy. This blog series highlights the experiences of various Ecohouse Solar clients as they’ve made the switch. Part 1 Marlin Languis is an 88 year-old resident of Columbus. He decided to make the switch to solar in the summer of 2013. His initial interest in solar energy and going against the status quo stemmed from a young age. Growing up on a rental farm in Nebraska, he was an inquisitive child, drawn ..read more

Ecohouse Solar serves the residential and small commercial solar market in the Central Ohio area, and has been doing so since 2008.  As part of our work, we track new developments in solar technology so that we can offer our customers the best options when we design their solar electric systems. This technology is continually improving; the result of solar inverter and solar panel manufacturers trying to improve their products in a very competitive marketplace. Enphase and Solaredge currently dominate the solar inverter market around the world, and are offering exciting new additions to ..read more