For one of the first times, the solar power industry may be in a position where it needs more skilled workers than are available. In a recent report published by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and The Solar Foundation, solar capacity has grown very quickly over the last few years, despite the fact that the economy is still dragging. If the industry continues along the lines of their forecasts, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory believes that up to 75% of the U.S. solar market will have grid-parity by the year 2015. This could make solar installation much more common, and increase the level of adoption. This would greatly increase the distance between the supply of solar installation professionals and the demand for them.

In addition to government incentives, having a higher number of trained, qualified and certified solar installers has helped to drive down the cost of solar panel installation, making it much more reliable and more attractive to a wider number of customers. As the industry continues to mature, productivity will continue to increase, meaning that fewer workers will be required per megawatt. This will again lead to a lower cost of solar panels.

Although those that have been watching the solar panel industry over the past few years will be aware of the exponential growth that it has experienced, this is good news for anyone in or around the industry. It presents a great opportunity both for the job market and for those interested in alternative energy sources. Because of the increase in demand for skilled workers, this is the perfect time to embark on a new career path for anyone who is having trouble finding work, or is looking for something new. For homeowners, this means lower costs for an increasingly affordable form of renewable energy.

If you are looking for more information about solar installation (Click Here), your options and its cost, contact us at The Electric Connection. We would love to help you find an affordable way to add panels to your home.

There are so many things to love about the coming holiday season. Great food, great company, family, festive decorations; we couldn’t be more excited! But there’s a not so great factor attached to it all, too. That hefty electric bill you’ll be seeing. Looking for ways to keep your costs at a minimum this holiday? The expert electricians at Hoffman Electrical can provide some easy fixes!

Our professionals have been proudly serving Tampa and Clearwater, Florida for years now. When it comes to quality and top-tier service, we’re the name to know in electrical! And as  apart of our great service, we’re always looking for ways to help out. If you want to reduce your energy costs this season, we’ve got the solutions you’ll be happy to know.

Whether you have a spacious and expansive wraparound porch or a cozy stoop to welcome you inside, the front porch is the perfect place to establish a mood that flows throughout the home. Today I’ve rounded up a unique collection of front porch decorating ideas that celebrate the beauty of Spring with bright colors and endless charm.

Springtime is all about freshness and a world ablaze with color. This bright DIY welcome mat filters out both the dirt and the troubles of your day.

I’m a big fan of coming up with Etsy.)

Unique ways to display a bounty of your Spring flowers abound in these fresh front porch planter ideas that are anything but predictable.

via submersible LED tape lights to your water feature.

As you welcome your friends and family into your home this year, there are many ways to welcome Spring too. Small touches and pops of color are simple ways to turn your front porch into a bright and cheerful space to invite guests into the home.

It’s impossible to anticipate a breakdown or roadside emergency, which is why it’s important to always be prepared. Already equipped with a spare tire, first-aid kit, and jumper cables in the trunk? They might not be of much help if disaster strikes after dark, and you have no viable light source to illuminate the problem.

We recently added a few new products to the website designed for road safety. Our LED Trouble Light makes it easy to check under the hood, and it’s a handy tool to keep in your car. With 16 LEDs on the side of the thin wand, a flashlight-style spotlight on the tip, and an integrated laser pointer, it’s definitely a sophisticated flashlight.

Nobody likes feeling hot and uncomfortable while they are trying to take respite from the heat in the comfort of their own home or when they are trying to focus on their work in an office building. While you may be tempted to crank up the air conditioner in an attempt to stay cool, you could literally end up spending hundreds of dollars by overworking your air conditioning unit. What can you do? Suffer in the heat or throw tons of cash at the electric bill?

Before you make any rash decisions, realize there is another option—a ceiling fan. A cost-saving measure to help keep you comfortable can be achieved with the help of an electrician. Burbank home and business owners can benefit from installing a fan to help circulate the air in a room and prevent that hot, stale feeling that tends to envelope you when the temperatures are soaring outside.

A ceiling fan is an energy efficient way to help keep the air circulating, which automatically makes you feel cooler. Using a fan to stir the air can help cut down on the need for the air conditioner. The slight breeze the fan produces is very soothing. You will want to discuss the various options and fan sizes with your electrician. Burbank residents can call The Electric Connection to help the pick the right fan for their needs and schedule an installation.

It isn’t just the hot summer months that benefit from a ceiling fan. In the winter, the fan can be turned to spin in the opposite direction to help circulate the warm air by pushing it down and pulling the cold air up. You can choose to install one fan in the main living areas, or install several fans throughout the home or office to keep the air steadily moving. The friendly team at Electric Connection is ready to serve you.