In the lead up to Solar Power International – the biggest solar expo in the history of the industry – Earth2Tech released its 10 Solar Startups to Watch. This year’s show in San Diego, which included over 400 exhibitors, 200 speakers and roughly triple last year’s attendance, was symbolic of the current solar industry boom…even in the face of an economic crisis. In the throes of such a boom, for both business and innovation, there are a multitude of startups looking for their piece of the solar pie. That makes this list even more relevant for solar enthusiasts attempting to wade through the sea of solar startups. (more…)

REC Solar is an industry leader in grid-tied solar systems, especially in California where the company has installed more systems than any other. In order to spread the solar word even further, REC Solar and MySpace.com teamed up to educate Denver residents and visitors at the recent Democratic National Convention. To do that, the two companies set up a solar powered charging station downtown, free to all passersby.Convention goers could charge cell phones, laptops, iPods, and other gadgets. In the meantime, MySpace and REC Solar informed people about solar energy, its benefits, and it’s place in the future. REC Solar estimated that it would provide over 1,000 Watts of solar power to democrats and other folks during the convention. And Denver, with over 300 days of sunshine per year, is a logical place to find, and create, solar enthusiasts.

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The installation of a solar energy system can be a large investment. Not only do you want to be certain that it is money well spent on quality materials and a professional installation, but you want to have the reassurance that the installer will be accessible if something were to go wrong or be in need of repair. Technology changes over time, and you may be inclined to upgrade at some point.

A properly installed solar system really shouldn’t require a whole lot of maintenance, and most systems come equipped with a manufacturer’s warranty. Repairs are more likely to arise within the plumbing and electrical accompanying the system, or other areas of the house. Unforeseen problems can also arise such as harsh weather or natural disasters. In addition to repairs, it is also very important to keep the photovoltaic panels as clean as possible. There is a direct correlation between the cleanliness of the panels and the efficiency of the system. Sometimes all that is required is to gently hose-off or dust the panels. There are also special cleaning products that will aid efficiency as well. (more…)