Most Recent Posts

SCV solar vs. Japan: Who floats to the top?

Solar panels are popping up all over SCV—whether they be on rooftops, over high school parking lots and even at the Castaic Lake Water Agency. But, there aren’t panels in the lake—yet. Around the world, the current solar installation trend is moving toward placing solar panels on top of bodies of water.

2015, Enviable electric cars and SCV solar energy

The new year is upon us and exciting innovations are happening all over the transportation and technology industries. The up-and-coming brand Hendo Hover just released a video of Tony Hawk testing their fully-functional hover board. Marty McFly would be so stoked! Google is working on a fully-automated, self-driving car, promising to make car accidents a thing of the past. Despite these awesome innovations, the greatest breakthroughs of 2015 will be made in the realm of new EV or electric vehicles. Almost every major car manufacturer has promised to roll out a new EV in 2015...and they look amazing.

Protect yourself from overages: A guide to your meter and consumption monitor

Many people install solar and believe they can use an unlimited amount of power and never get charged. This misconception can lead to unwanted overage charges from your utility company. It is important to realize that solar arrays are usually sized to mitigate your past usage. If you plan on using more energy after installing solar, let your consultant know before designing your system. After your SunPower system is installed, you can monitor how much energy your system is generating with an app on your smartphone or computer. Another option is having the utility company install a consumption monitor (if your main service panel can accommodate it), allowing you to compare energy production and energy use.

Green Mercantilism and the truth about Chinese solar

The first concern of any individual interested in going solar is always cost. Many consumers let the cost of a certain solar panel brand determine their decision to purchase. Though this approach seems prudent, it could be a very costly mistake. The cheapest solar panels on the market are imported from China. In fact, “49% of the solar panels” purchased and installed in the US this year were designed and made by Chinese manufacturers (2). Some of the manufacturers of these solar panels try to hide the fact that they are Chinese-made by outsourcing the construction and labor to Taiwan (2).

The Green Convergence Difference

If you are considering going solar, you have many options. It might seem difficult to figure out which company/contractor is the best choice for you and your home. At Green Convergence, we don’t rely on flashy ad campaigns. We market ourselves based on the facts. And, the fact is we are very proud of what we offer our customers and our community. We take great pride in creating the most beautiful, reliable and efficient solar energy systems available, while educating our customers on exactly what they can expect from their investment in solar.

The next big thing in solar tech: Solar panels?

6 things to ask your solar consultant

When installing a solar energy system, the most crucial part of the process is meeting with a contractor's solar consultant. It is in this meeting that you learn the most about the contractor, their services and values. We at Green Convergence have compiled a list of six vital questions to ask your solar consultant.

Energy Independence-Coming soon to a state near you?

The Union of Concerned Scientists believes that America can produce 23% of its electrical energy needs through renewable means by the year 2030, according to a recent article on CleanTechnica's website. The study was conducted in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent proposition that Americans should aim to produce only 12% of their electrical energy through renewable and non-hydro means in the coming years. Senior Climate Economist, Rachel Cleetus believes that the proposed 23% goal could be achieved for the low cost of “18 cents per month” per American household (Solar-EnergyNext). Cleetus dismisses the EPA’s low expectations, stating, “…the way renewable energy is ramping up and costs are falling dramatically, there is a real opportunity to go farther (Hale).”

8 things your solar contractor isn't telling you

Everyone has taken a leap of faith when choosing to invest in a new stock, project or piece of equipment. Risk is a necessary part of any investment. But, the risks are always lower when a buyer knows the facts. As more and more Americans make the switch to solar, it is imperative that they know exactly what goes into a solar installation, what the industry standards are and, even more importantly, what could go wrong. To ensure that everyone who wants to switch to solar knows exactly what they will (and in many cases, will not) be paying for, Green Convergence has created this list of 8 things your solar contractor probably isn’t telling you.