Home › Solar Power Blog - Sustainability - Renewable Energy | Solar Us Shop

Solar Power Blog » Solar Energy

Exploring PV Solar Production Beyond the Panel

  When you think of solar energy, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Barring the sun itself, if you’re like most people, you will immediately think of photovoltaic (PV) panels when the idea of solar is introduced.  While there are certainly no incorrect answers here, you may be interested to know that there are many new and interesting ways to generate solar power both now and in the future.  For DIY installations and massive commercial projects alike, renewable energy production is taking many forms in the 2020s, so we’ve developed this guide to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest solar power innovations “beyond the panel.”  Rigid vs Thin Film Solar Panels  While classic...

Read more →

Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Working in the Solar Industry in 2023

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the solar energy industry?  Well if you aren’t one of the hundreds of thousands of people who are actively doing so in the United States today, exploring a career in solar is now easier than ever before.  Over the last few decades, solar power has experienced massive growth in the US, in terms of both capacity installed and industry size. With a wide variety of roles that support residential, commercial, and utility-scale development, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimated that more than 255,000 Americans worked in solar in 2021. With our eyes set on a sustainable future, in this article, we’ll look all around the solar industry to...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Sustainable Energy

What is a Microgrid?

  Whether or not you’ve been paying attention to the news in the last decade, you may have heard the term “microgrid,” and not thought twice about what it may mean.  Although microgrids have been around for a long time, public interest in the technology is spiking, largely due to the lowering costs and increased availability of renewable energy generation around the world.  In this high-level guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about microgrids to demonstrate their value and showcase their role in a more sustainable global future.  Defining Microgrids  Compared to the large, interconnected electric utility grids in the United States, “micro” grids are essentially a smaller version of the way that most people receive their power. ...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

Community Solar: Renewable Energy for All

Most people can agree that solar energy is a great way to generate emission-free electricity. but unfortunately, personal solar panel installations are not always a viable option. For example, residential solar panels must be installed by homeowners, so renters are often out of luck. Likewise, those that live in an apartment building or on a heavily shaded property lined with large trees may not have enough usable roof space for a cost-effective solar energy system.  That’s where community solar comes in.  At Solar Us Shop, we love all forms of solar, from handheld devices to massive utility-scale arrays. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how community solar works in order to help more people connect with renewable...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Solar Air Conditioning: How to Stay Cool with Green Electricity (At Home and On the Go)

  Believe it or not, that glowing ball of fire in the sky that we call “the sun” can actually be used to cool down your home with the right technology.  It’s true: solar-powered air conditioning is a real thing that is happening right now, all over the world – in both small and large-scale applications.   And while heat capture has long been a part of solar-assisted thermal cooling systems, modern photovoltaic (PV) electric solar panel systems can now be used to power every appliance in your home, from the toaster to your air conditioning system.  Solar Air Conditioning for Homes Costing United States residents approximately $29 billion annually, running the air conditioning at home is typically done at the...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

Solar Energy & Electric Vehicles - Summer 2022

  Whether you’re watching television during a commercial break or are out on the road somewhere this summer, the presence of electric vehicles in the United States is at an all-time high and certainly more visible than ever.  Of course at Solar Us Shop, we couldn’t be more excited as, when in use, electric vehicles produce less overall emissions than traditional combustion chamber engines. With a greener future ahead, it is actually a bit shocking when you realize that cars are now being powered by the sun, via photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, all around the world.  Last summer we answered the question, “Can solar panels charge EVs?” to showcase exactly how small PV systems can power personal vehicles. This...

Read more →

Electric Vehicles, Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Gear up for a Solar Powered Summer

  Aah… the summer. Longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar full of vacations, BBQs, and outdoor get-togethers.  As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it's time to begin thinking about what gear you’ll need to make sure that the fun never stops, and at Solar Us Shop, we’d like to encourage our readers to look upward and power this season with solar energy.  Solar Powered Products for Summer 2022 Although the White House called 2021 the “Summer of Solar”, there is no reason to stop while we're ahead. From utility-scale projects to handheld renewable energy devices, solar is everywhere in 2022, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride.  With 12 hours of sunlight on...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Solar Breeze Ariel - Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Best Practices

The weather is getting warmer, and for some lucky people, this means that it is officially time to open up the pool! Last summer, our never-ending quest to showcase the world’s best renewable energy products allowed us to introduce the Solar Breeze Ariel, an instant hit among eco-conscious pool owners.   And while we already highlighted many of this solar-powered, surface-skimming pool cleaner’s best features in our full review of the Solar-Breeze Ariel, there is still a lot to know about how to properly use this great product.  To help our new, existing, and future customers have the best ownership experience possible, here are some essential tips and tricks on how to take care of your Solar Breeze Ariel. How to...

Read more →

12 comments Solar Energy

How To Save Energy at Home: 10 Tips

  With gas and electricity prices on the rise, it's never been more important to keep an eye on your energy usage. A few simple changes to your daily routine will not only help you save on your energy bills but will also make your home more sustainable. Need some pointers? Read on for 10 effective ways of saving energy at home.  1. Carry Out a Home Energy Audit Before you start making any significant changes to your everyday habits, it makes sense to carry out a home energy audit. Many companies offer this as a service, but you can undertake an audit yourself with little effort. Inspect your property for things like air leaks that might lead to unwanted...

Read more →

Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Discover the Future of Energy - 7 Types of Renewable Energy

  The world relies heavily on energy for manufacturing, transportation, lighting and heating. Traditionally, most of this energy has been produced by burning coal, oil and natural gas. These sources will run out at some point as we continue to extract them from the earth. As a planet, we need to turn to renewable energy to ensure we all have sufficient power in the future. We must also use energy sources that don’t damage the environment and impair our health. Renewable energy is the answer. What is Renewable Energy? Energy sources that do not deplete when used and replenish themselves infinitely are renewable. This includes sunlight, waves, wind and geothermal heat. By contrast, natural gas, oil and coal (fossil fuels)...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy, Wind Energy

How the Circular Economy can Support the Push for Sustainable Energy

  With the growing demand for renewable energy sources like solar power, it's easy to forget that the immediate source of energy is not the only area where the environment can suffer. We are increasingly facing supply chain issues and environmental concerns over the resources needed to make sustainable energy sources in the first place.  Much of this issue revolves around rare earth materials which, as the name suggests, are hard to come by, and get harder with every load that is pulled from the earth. Furthermore, there is much concern over the mining practices used to get these materials, specifically with regards to the damage it does to the surrounding environment. A Circular Economy Many of these issues can...

Read more →

Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy, Wind Energy

The Top Ten Countries Using Solar Power in 2022

  As the sun revolves around the globe, more and more countries are generating solar power at small and large scales capacities. And in 2022, the decade-long boom of the international solar energy industry continues to grow. With geopolitics and supply chain shortages from the coronavirus pandemic limiting the world’s available resources, PV solar power has the potential to domestically generate tons of electricity, anywhere the sun shines. Below, we’ll take a look at which countries are producing the most solar power in 2022.  Which Countries are Producing the Most Solar Power?  First and foremost, we must start by saying that the amount of solar power capacity is always increasing around the world. While this is an exciting notion to...

Read more →

1 comment Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Sustainable Energy

The Future of Solar Energy in the United States

  The future is solar-powered, or at least that’s what it may look like here in the United States. And while we certainly still have a long way to go (and an enormous amount of red tape to cross) Solar Us Shop is happy to be a part of the renewable energy revolution, primarily powered by the sun, wind, and water.  In this article, we take a look ahead at solar energy’s potentially leading role in the future of United States electricity generation. Our Current Reality In 2020, nearly one-fifth (19.8%) of the electricity generated at a utility-scale level nationwide was powered by renewable energy resources. A slowly rising percentage in the country’s energy portfolio, the top two renewables in...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Sustainable Energy

How to Heat a House With Solar Panels 

Energy costs are on the rise. The biggest contributor to the average fuel bill is heating. In the northern hemisphere, many of us still rely on energy converted from fossil fuels to provide year-round heating. If you're looking to make your home more sustainable, it's well worth exploring the benefits of solar panel technology.Solar panels are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to install, with many suppliers providing ongoing support for customers. With more products available than ever before, it's simple to find a solar-powered solution to heat just about any home. When properly implemented, solar-powered systems can provide you with all the energy required to meet your heating needs. Choosing the best solar heating solution for your home Thermal solar...

Read more →

Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

How is Solar Stored at Home?

  Solar energy is the least expensive form of electricity in human history. It’s clean and efficient. And contrary to what you may have heard, it’s incredibly reliable - as long as the sun exists, solar will continue to be an excellent way of creating electricity.  So why isn’t solar everywhere? It’s hard to store. That’s the main problem with solar energy. The batteries that are currently available can certainly store some electricity - a lot, even - but they can’t store it for very long. That means you can’t rely on solar batteries to carry you through the winter in northern climates. Fortunately, there are other ways of taking advantage of solar power. We’re going to discuss storing solar...

Read more →

Battery Powered, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy