Harvest Solar Blog

Solar Energy Policy - Illinois

Illinois has become a hotbed for solar energy in the last couple of years for two main reasons: their net metering policies, and SRECs.

The state of Illinois has a renewable energy policy that legislates the policies for the state’s Investor-Owned Utilities, Ameren, MidAmerican, and ComEd. These[...]

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The Second Best Thing About Solar

The second-best thing about solar is the maintenance…there is none. I have the responsibility of filling out a number of our customer’s Project Performance Reports (the end of the year reporting that goes along with obtaining a REAP Grant). This paperwork consists of information fields aimed to[...]

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Why Quality Matters

When making the choice to go solar the most common questions are how much, who to hire and what product to buy. So, let’s answer a question with a question. What is most important to you, the home owner? Aesthetics? Overall value? Peace of mind? Price?

In offering SunPower products Harvest Energy[...]

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Batteries: Is the Future Here?

One of the major drawbacks of wind and solar energy is what happens when the wind isn’t blowing or at night when the sun isn’t shining?  Currently, solar and wind users are still connected to the electric grid through a process called “net metering.” Still being connected to the grid means that when[...]

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PV Solar, The Generator with no Fuel Cost

As the Sales Manager for Harvest Energy Solutions in the state of Ohio, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to explain what it is that is so great about solar energy… Let’s face it, there is not a whole lot to look at when studying a solar array. There is nothing that you or I[...]

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Solar Spotlight: Country Chevrolet Buick & GMC (Benton, KY), 50kW Elevated Carport System

There are many ways a solar system can be incorporated into your home, farm, place of business, and other applications. Harvest Energy Solutions recently installed a 50-Kilowatt Elevated Carport Solar System for Country Chevrolet Buick & GMC, in Benton, KY. When considering ways to help reduce[...]

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What are Solar Panel "Tiers" and what do they mean?

In 2010, China wanted to grow their market share of solar panels in America and Europe. This caused many small, new manufacturers to pop-up and flood the market with cheap solar panels, putting American and European manufacturers out of business. As a tool to aide consumers, Bloomberg New Energy[...]

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Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) - What They Are, and How You Can Benefit

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), or as they are sometimes called SREC’s (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) are non-tangible energy commodities that account for 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from an eligible renewable energy resource. Solar energy is credited with one REC for[...]

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Solar v Fossil Fuels

Over the past decade, renewable energy has become a major topic of discussion throughout the country.  While debates continue about net metering, tax credits, climate change, fossil fuels, renewable portfolio standards, and a myriad of other topics, one thing is certain: renewable energy (most[...]

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What is a Photovoltaic Solar Module and How does it Produce Power I Can Use?

If you are looking at buying solar for your house, farm or business, you may see the word Photovoltaic or PV constantly being used. Well what does that mean exactly? The word photovoltaic can really be broke down into 2 main parts the word Photo meaning light and the word Volt which is a unit of[...]

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