Image credit: Onyx Solar “BIPV” is the buzz acronym for 2024. Short for “building integrated photovoltaics”, it’s a catch-all phrase for anything used in construction that can also transform solar energy into electricity. For example, solar shingles – a replacement for standard roof tiles – are becoming increasingly common. They look better than placing rectangular solar panels on top of an existing roof and also allow more surface area to capture solar energy. But the star of the show is soon set to be the transparent solar panel.  First developed at Michigan State University (MSU) in 2 ..read more

Despite the popular (negative) opinion, feedlots have a surprisingly lower impact on the environment than their pasture-fed counterparts. While feedlots have been in use since the 1800s, the real environmental savings were initially made in the 1970s when systems were optimized to achieve a 33% drop in land required, a 12% reduction in water used, and a 16% decrease in Co2 emissions. But there are still improvements to be made, and that’s where solar energy steps in. Besides providing clean and abundant energy, the shade generated by the panels can be far more valuable than you realize. By s ..read more

There’s a lot of paperwork, permits, and expenses required for a solar installation, so you may not be thrilled to learn that you should also get insurance. Getting insurance is essential if you want your solar installation connected to the grid. Utility providers in Colorado mandate that you get liability coverage for your solar PV system in case anything goes wrong.  Let’s take a look at the “why” and everything else you need to know about it. In a Nutshell Utilities require that you take out personal liability insurance before you can connect your solar system to the grid. Colorad ..read more

Solar energy has some clear benefits. Clean and affordable energy are the biggest advantages for sure, but there are less obvious perks too. We’re all becoming more aware of the dire need for a more sustainable and “green” way of doing things, and consumers are starting to seek out products that fulfill those criteria.  Moreover, they are willing to pay more for these products! As a farmer, proving yourself as a sustainable business can be difficult. Conversely, in recent times, farms have gained the reputation of being unsustainable and, in some cases, unethical. While large-scale fact ..read more

Image credit: Monarch Everyone has heard of Tesla, the poster child for electric cars, but did you know that farm vehicles are also getting an electric makeover? Not by Tesla, unfortunately, but most major farm manufacturers are now developing or have developed electric versions of their farm machinery and vehicles. From crop dusting drones to autonomous tractors, and even fruit-picking robots. Battery technology and artificial intelligence have paved the way to a more sustainable and smarter way of farming. Colorado is a massive farming state. With nearly 40,000 farms, it’s a crop-producing ..read more

These days it feels like every company wants to know everything about you – including what you had for dinner last night. There are indeed many businesses out there that want your data, usually for nefarious reasons, but if you’re looking to get solar installed, then you can relax. A solar company needs lots of information so it can do its job properly and ensure that you end up with a high-performing, customized solar array. And part of that required information is seeing your energy bills. However, this seems to make people nervous, so we’re here to calm those nerves and explain exactly wh ..read more

Talking about solar warranties is not the most exciting thing, but it’s important to understand them because they will protect you financially should your solar panels fail or develop a fault. There are several facets to a solar warranty, so let’s uncover what they mean and spell out exactly what they cover. In a Nutshell All reputable solar panel manufacturers include a warranty as a standard. The solar product warranty lasts for 10+ years and covers product defects and faults. The solar performance warranty lasts for 25+ years and guarantees a certain level of performance. Solar inverte ..read more

A broken solar panel can pose a serious risk, but the good news is that they don’t break very often due to their ultra-durable construction and materials. Still, you should know the reasons why they break, how to help prevent breakages, and what to do if it happens.  In this article, we go in-depth on the subject. In a Nutshell Solar panels are incredibly durable and resilient, and they do not break often. Common causes of solar panel damage are falling objects, thermal stress, and micro-cracks and scratches. A broken solar panel may continue to work, albeit at a reduced efficiency ..read more

2023 was a big year for solar. The issues faced during the pandemic have been left in the wake and solar energy is now looking forward to a rosy future. There have been some massive developments in solar technology. Some have the potential to completely change the industry and make solar easier and more affordable than ever.  Other solar trends see innovative ways of combining solar panels with other land uses and making solar more accessible for all. We’ve taken a deep dive into all of it to bring you a comprehensive overview of what to expect from solar energy in the near future. So w ..read more

Agrivoltaics is the new buzzword among farmers and solar developers and for a good reason. The practice neatly addresses the concern around giving up farmland in favor of solar panels and provides agricultural businesses with the opportunity to generate a dual income from the same piece of land. Even though agrivoltaics has been successfully practiced in Europe and Asia for the past few decades, many remain skeptical and doubt whether healthy crops can be grown in the shade of a solar panel. The truth is that many crops thrive in a more shaded environment, and the unique microclimate generat ..read more