Ask the Solar Pros
Welcome to “Ask the Pros,” in-depth articles designed to bring you all the latest statistics, news, and updates on solar power, coming straight from industry experts. From solar representatives in marketing and sales to company founders and research analysts, our solar professionals understand solar.
Topics covered include solar incentives, legislation, benefits, innovations, and more. A great place to start for homeowners who want to stay informed about the industry, whether or not you’ve already purchased your own residential solar energy system.
Millions of U.S. dollars are invested every year in solar research and technology, so there’s always something new to learn. Our experts work with solar on a day-to-day basis, so check in frequently to see where they stand.
Solar Boom 2010
SolarMax: Guillermo SantomauroCalFinder sits down with Guillermo Santomauro of SolarMax to talk rebates, government incentives and the hottest solar deals of 2010. SolarMax Technology is an industry veteran. Having spent the first... Read More »
Solar? For Me?
Jose B. Tengco, a key member of the development team for the award-winning Andalay System, shares with homeowners how solar can make a huge difference both for their checkbook and the environment. Solar systems: the very term sounds... Read More »
Frontier Solar Says 2009 Is the Year to Go Solar
According to Gabe Cooley of Frontier Solar, there has never been a better time than now to go solar. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 passed on October 3, which means the federal tax rebate towards a new solar system... Read More »
Executive VP Marc Cortez on Commercial Solar
As Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Soliant Energy, Marc Cortez is responsible for the company's sales, product management, public relations, and marketing communications. He stopped to talk with CalFinder Solar... Read More »
Seattle Based Solar Pro, Reeves Clippard
Reeves Clippard, Founder of A & R Solar, did a lot of soul searching and research before leaving his career in software development to take the plunge into renewables. "I found an internship with Solar Energy International... Read More »
Mick Humphreys, Part 2: Solar Thermal Rising above Costs and Challenges
In part 1 of our interview, Apricus Founder & CEO Mick Humphreys talked about practical and effective solar heating applications. These include space, pool, and floor heating, as well as providing hot water needs for showers, baths,... Read More »
Solar Thermal's Untapped Heating Potential, Part I
Apricus is a global company that provides simple and effective solar hot water solutions. Apricus' solar thermal systems are used in both residential and commercial applications, helping families and businesses battle the effects... Read More »
Is Your Home Solar Ready? Ask Solar Pro Ron Mulick
Ron Mulick, president of SOLARTRONICS, Inc., recently made an appearance on Ask the Solar Pros with a breakdown of federal and state incentives available for solar electric installations. Mulick's company has a 35-year history in construction... Read More »
Want to Know What Financial Incentives Are Available in Your Area? Ask Solar Pro Ronald Mulick
Mulick is the President of SOLARTRONICS, Inc., a solar electric design and installation firm located in Southern California with a 35-year history. SOLARTRONICS, Inc. is a member of the California Solar Energy Industries Association... Read More »
Sustaining a Strained Planet
When it comes to sustainability, solar consultant Paul Shippee advises looking harder at our values and thinking with foresight into the next seven generations, to determine and plan just where we want ourselves, our grandchildren,... Read More »
Solar Thermal Collectors
Do you know what a flat plate air collector is? Or which of the three collector types are utilized for passive solar systems? What about a drain-back system? If you don't know, worry not, for help is here. I recently interviewed... Read More »
Workings of Solar Thermal Power
As a solar consultant, Paul Shippee offers solar design strategies and planning for clients looking to save conventional fossil fuel energy, reduce their carbon footprint, use solar energy to heat their homes and domestic hot water,... Read More »
Nick McDaid on Your Solar Financing Future
When it comes to questions about solar panel installation, financing queries are high on the list. There's no doubt that homeowners are interested in the technology, but they also want to know what their payment options are.... Read More »
Eric Piekarczyk on Finding the Right Solar Contractor
Without proper installation, even the most high-end solar devices can fall short of their potential. That's why finding a qualified solar contractor is so important. To emphasize this point, we consulted Eric Piekarczyk, a managing... Read More »
The Last of a Series from Michael Potts
It's sad to see the end of Michael Potts' 3-part interview series, but fortunately, the author and director of the Caspar Institute is working on a new book revision, "The Evolving Independent Home." Portions of his book,... Read More »
An Interview with Michael Potts, Part Two
In Part 1 of our interview, Michael Potts talked about the changes that independent homeowners have experienced in their quest for self sufficiency. This time around, the conversation shifts to the average American homeowner. Potts... Read More »
An Interview with Michael Potts, Part One
There is perhaps no better inspiration for going solar than the independent homesteader. In this segment of "Ask the Solar Pros," we feature Part 1 of our interview with Michael Potts, whose book The New Independent Home draws from... Read More »
An Interview with John Wright
With numerous solar innovations being announced on a daily basis, what are the solar pros most excited about? We recently posed the question to Hudson Valley Clean Energy Vice President, John Wright. According to Wright, nano solar... Read More »
Should You Buy Used Solar Panels
Because cost can be an issue when installing solar panels, resourceful homeowners may look for ways to get in the door by buying them discounted or used. If you can find solar panels that work well but cost less, why not? To answer... Read More »
Power Bill Diet
In a previous “Ask the Solar Pros” interview with Mike Menkes, we learned that the Power Bill Diet can increase the return on your solar panel investment through energy-conserving strategies. But what are these strategies? One... Read More »
Mike Menkes Part Two
If you caught our discussion with Mike Menkes on solar tubular skylights, conventional skylights, and solar windows, then you already know that this independent business man is an expert on energy efficiency. As the voice of GreenEnergyFlorida.org... Read More »
Green Energy Expert Mike Menkes Part One
What’s the difference between a solar tubular skylight, a traditional skylight, and a solar window? While the three terms are often used interchangeably, they each have different meanings. To help straighten out the confusion,... Read More »
Exclusive Interview with Tom McCalmont, CEO REgrid Power
Tom McCalmont, CEO of REgrid Power and Chairman of SolarTech.org, is involved in making solar energy safe, affordable, and reliable. CalFinder recently caught up with McCalmont to get his opinion on how more homeowners can access... Read More »
GridPoint SmartGrid
Suzanne Lauer, Director of Public Relations for GridPoint, recently spoke with CalFinder about SmartGrid. The SmartGrid platform helps utilities efficiently balance demand and supply, promote environmental stewardship, and fuel... Read More »
Intelligent Energy Management from GridPoint
CalFinder recently interviewed Suzanne Lauer, Director of Public Relations for GridPoint, which offers utilities innovative renewable energy solutions. In Part I of our interview, Lauer discusses GridPoint’s “whole picture”... Read More »
Working toward a Renewable Future: One State at a Time
By Ben Peters of REC Solar, Inc. “While some states are working hard to implement progressive and popular clean energy policies, other states must work against an infrastructure and economy that is built around antiquated... Read More »
Evolution of Solar: Each Decade Seeing More Economic Availability
In his years in the solar industry, Bill Stewart of SolarCraft has witnessed the solar industry getting creative. Not necessarily through specific applications, but in the creative ways the technology has been made economical. Stewart,... Read More »
Thin Film: Working Its Way into the U.S. Solar Market
According to Nick Sherman, Director of Sales and Marketing at Solar Energy Exchange, approximately 10 percent of the total Megawatt hours installed in the world last year used thin film as their photovoltaic product of choice. While... Read More »
Solar Power: Revolutionizing the Energy Crisis
“In terms of what’s revolutionizing the industry, nothing is really clear-cut. The whole industry in general is revolutionizing the energy crisis,” says Nick Sherman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Solar Energy Exchange.... Read More »
Interested in Home Solar Energy?
Fill in your details below and certified solar contractors will give you FREE estimates.
Solar Blog
Solar
Library Articles
Here is what some folks have said about CalFinder Contractors:
Very professional, delivered the job on time & are very attentive to detail.
Astrum Solar quickly became the obvious choice due to their professionalism, their excellent and current knowledge of the field, and their commitment to service, not just the sale. Astrum Solar is unparalleled at making this experience smooth and headache free. They responded to all my questions immediately, filled out all the paperwork and permitting, scheduled the installation and showed up when they said they would.All in all it was a very enjoyable experience.