How to Pick a Solar Panel and Battery Backup System
With increasingly intense weather knocking the power grid offline for days at a time in some regions, traditional fossil-fuel–based backup systems—namely portable or permanent generators—seem increasingly unreliable. That’s why residential solar power combined with battery storage (once an esoteric niche industry) is rapidly becoming a mainstream disaster-preparedness choice.
Solar Energy Resources for Consumers
Anyone who uses energy—energy consumers—can take advantage of solar energy to power their lives. These resources, compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), cover a wide variety of topics, from the process of choosing and installing a solar energy system, to understanding how it impacts the value of a home.
Solar Energy Resources for Professionals
While you may or may not work in the solar industry, the adoption of solar energy impacts a diverse set of professions, from homebuilders to emergency responders. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has developed several resources and guides to help those working in solar and in complementary industries so they understand how they can use and benefit from the sun’s energy.
Energy-Related Federal Financial Assistance Programs
These federal programs may provide financial assistance to lower energy costs and may be applied to solar.