top of page


Feb 41 min read
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 2
Part 2 of our podcast with Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home , goes into the intricate details of designing and installing...


Jan 271 min read
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 1
If you’re thinking about adding a battery to your rooftop solar system, listen to the Energy Show interview with Greg Smith.


Dec 9, 20241 min read
Businesses Need Batteries Too, But (almost) No One Sells Them
If you’re wondering how a commercial battery system can benefit your company, please tune into this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz

Sep 10, 20241 min read
Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System
Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you...

Mar 26, 20241 min read
Ask These Questions Before You Install A Home Battery or Solar System
The Learning Curve for understanding home batteries and solar systems is steep. Your battery system education will require mastering at...

Sep 27, 20232 min read
Which Batteries Are The Best For Your Home?
Batteries were everywhere at September’s RE+ Conference in Vegas. I counted over 100 different battery company and system vendors. It was...

Aug 22, 20231 min read
Solar and Storage Under New California Electric Rates
HEADLINE: Higher Electric Rates and More Blackouts Unfortunately, this is the new normal for most of the U.S. In other words: SNAFU This...

Feb 7, 20232 min read
Lessons Learned Installing Battery Storage Systems
Batteries are becoming an essential part of home solar systems. With solar-connected batteries, homeowners can avoid paying peak utility...

Jun 11, 20222 min read
Talking Solar and Storage on the Rob Black Show
The Energy Show · Talking Solar and Storage on the Rob Black Show Rob Black has been a popular TV, radio, and podcast personality for...

Jan 24, 20222 min read
Vehicle To Grid - Not So Fast
The Energy Show · Vehicle To Grid (V2G) – Not So Fast There are two segments of the renewable energy industry growing like crazy (in...

Sep 3, 20211 min read
What Batteries Should I Buy With My Solar System?
The Energy Show · What Batteries Should I Buy With My Solar System? Are you worried about blackouts and public safety power shutoffs...

Aug 6, 20212 min read
Battery Storage Safety with Matt Paiss
The Energy Show · Battery Storage Safety with Matt Paiss About 15 years ago the solar and fire protection industries worked together to...

Jul 15, 20201 min read
Design Considerations for Battery Backup Systems
Solar and battery backup systems are the ideal antidote to the triple threat of high evening electric rates (over $0.50/kwh), frequent...

Jan 31, 20202 min read
Converting a House to Zero Net Energy
Buildings consume 40% of our energy, most of that for heating and cooling. Almost all of this energy is supplied by fossil fuels,...

Jan 24, 20201 min read
The Myth of Whole House Battery Backup
Will batteries keep your AC cranking and electric vehicle charged up during an extended blackout? Probably not. We like to believe the...

Dec 3, 20191 min read
New Battery Storage Systems
The 16th annual Solar Power International show was held this October in Salt Lake City. It’s been quite a growth story since the first...

Sep 17, 20192 min read
Reducing Peak Demand Charges
Unless you have rooftop solar, you’re probably incredibly unhappy about rising electric bills. This misery is even worse for commercial...

Aug 27, 20192 min read
Solar Investment Tax Credit
30% of the costs of a solar or battery storage system are paid for with the Solar Investment Tax credit. The Solar Investment Tax Credit...

Aug 18, 20192 min read
Living With Public Safety Power Shutoffs
PG&E, our local utility in Silicon Valley, caused a number of wildfires -- including the recent Camp fire that destroyed the town of...

Jul 17, 20192 min read
Public Safety Power Shutoff Programs
California utility companies recently announced their Public Safety Power Shutoff programs across the state. Bloomberg News said...
bottom of page