Why You Need to Know About Various Solar Power Types

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Why You Need to Know About Various Solar Power Types

Oct 17, 2023

As more and more people are looking for ways to conserve energy and save on rising energy bills, solar power is growing in popularity. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, wind, solar, and battery storage will eventually account for 82% of the new utility-scale generating capacity that developers plan to bring online in America. However, you may not be aware of the various solar power types that are available to you. Here are a few reasons why you'll want to do some research before you decide.

Awareness of What Is Available

Solar panels are a major investment, and you don't want to go into it blind. By doing the proper research and discussing options with solar power companies, you can make a more informed decision. Some solar power types are connected to the energy grid while others are not. Those that don't have battery storage ensure that you continue to have power at night or on cloudy days. There are also systems that are connected to the grid but still come with battery storage. You can talk to local solar companies about the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and they can help you decide which one is best for you.

Ability to Choose What’s Best for Your Needs

The type of solar power system you choose will depend on many factors such as cost, climate, energy usage, and more. Naturally, some solar power types are more expensive than others, but it's worth the investment if that's what aligns with your needs. Solar power systems also have temperature ratings, so if you live in a hot climate, you'll want a higher energy rating than if you live in a colder climate.

Lastly, consider your energy usage and your goals. If you use a lot of energy, you'll likely want an on-grid or hybrid system, because the energy grid will continue to provide electricity if you run out of solar. However, if you experience frequent power outages, you may want an off-grid system because you'll have battery storage to fall back on when blackouts occur. There are other factors to consider as well, so be sure to talk to your local solar company about what they would recommend for your property.

Solar energy is growing in popularity. If you're interested in learning more about solar power types, please contact Northwind Solar. We're here for all of your solar power needs.

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Northwind Solar will Transition Forward Note: This communication from Northwind Solar CEO Josh Stolzenburg is a message to our stakeholders, clients, and friends about an exciting new development at Northwind. I’ve been consumed, for nearly two decades now, leading a passion project called Northwind Solar. Originally conceived to provide meaningful work for those who wanted to advance climate and energy solutions, we’ve grown into one of Wisconsin’s most effective and respected solar companies. Thirty committed employees (of whom 16 share ownership) now work out of our Amherst office. The time has come for me to step out of the role of CEO, shift my Northwind work to new priorities, and cultivate next generation leadership. As a company, we have matured over the years and come a long way from the conceptual white boards I scrawled on the walls of a friend’s basement in 2007, My crude “business plan” evolved from educational work (with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association) which fueled my desire to put meaningful green kilowatt hours on the Wisconsin grid to offset fossil fuel use. I engaged a couple of technically proficient business partners in 2008 and we began to offer wind, solar heating, and solar electric to suit the needs of a growing customer base. In the mid-teens we shifted our exclusive focus to solar electric (including battery systems and, now, smart electrification). From the beginning, community involvement was an important corollary to our professional work. My early involvement with the development of the Central Rivers Farmshed and work with the WI Farmer’s Union led to compelling work with and support for local small farms. Until recently, I’ve advised Mid-State Technical College’s renewable energy program since it’s inception in 2008 and we’ve been able to hire graduates of that program consistently since 2010. I’ve served on the Renew WI board of directors since 2019 and helped to create SolarShare WI, a thriving community solar investment cooperative. Part of the Northwind ethos has been distributed management and shared ownership. We formalized that in 2017 when we converted from a partnership to a worker owned cooperative. Employees could buy in, become owners, and share in the financial rewards and governance. In the seven years since there have been challenges, successes, and changes in personnel as we have learned to be a democratic company.