A quick glance at the news this week shows that solar panel installation, innovative solar technologies, and solar plants are taking off all over the world. Here is a quick look at some of the good news about solar energy:

– A team of Australian scientists have demonstrated supercritical steam can be harnessed in solar power plants, representing a dramatic increase in efficiency. Supercritical steam exists when steam is highly pressurized and is good news for large scale solar power plants that use mirrors to focus sunlight to heat water and create steam to turn turbines.

– India and China, two of the most populous countries in the world, are rolling out and finalizing plans to make solar power an integral part of their infrastructure. As both of those countries climb further into industrialization, they consume more resources. Integrating solar power now will help them reduce their impact on the environment.

– The EPA is setting new standards for carbon emissions for states to meet in the next few years and many people are curious about how industry and governments can meet these new benchmarks. Wind and solar panel have shown remarkable ability to create clean energy and generate jobs, both critical concerns.

Of course, these stories all stand against a background of home solar panel installation, which is still a viable way for you to reduce your environmental impact and control your energy costs at the same time. As energy costs continue to climb at an average rate of fiver percent a year, your savings will increase every year as you continue to use a clean source of energy.

We’ve been helping people like you realize their dreams of solar power and energy independence for years, with favorable deals on solar leasing and long term financing to get you started today. If you’ve dreamed of your own solar array, don’t hesitate to call us and make it happen.

The lives of 21st Century Americans are filled with endless electronic gadgets and appliances. A modern home filled with computers, entertainment systems and portable devices can quickly run short of convenient electric outlets to provide power to the media extravaganza. That makes power strips a must. In addition to providing ample plug space, power strips can also protect your devices, help keep them organized, give a boost to your energy efficiency and provide a flash of style while they're at it. Check out a sampling of models that show off some of the best that power strips have to offer:

If you need advice on powering and protecting your devices, or have any other electrical work that needs to be addressed, contact a qualified electrician without delay.

Energy deregulation gives consumers choices when it comes to the companies that provide their home electricity. Suppliers can compete for your electricity dollars in a variety of ways, offering low prices, short and long-term contracts, fixed or variable rates, and a choice in how your energy is generated. The sheer volume of options can seem so complicated that you need to ask an electrician to help you tangle out the pros and cons of the available plans. One area in particular that can trip up consumers has to do with whether the source of their electricity is green or renewable. Read on to learn the difference.

Green Customers are Loyal Customers

Currently, 15 states plus Washington, D.C. have active electricity deregulation programs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and these states are largely concentrated in the Northeast. Consumers who live in deregulated states are likely to be flooded with energy offers, often promising electricity that is derived from green or renewable sources. Purchasing this environmentally friendly power usually costs a bit more than electricity that comes from more traditional sources like coal, but some homeowners like to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.

Those customers who go green are valuable to the supplier because they are less likely to jump ship based on the availability of a cheaper energy source. "A customer on a renewable-energy product has actively decided what is important to them and has selected their supplier accordingly," Ritchie Hudson, Pennsylvania chairman of the Retail Energy Supply Association, said to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A Question of Semantics

However, while many suppliers and consumers treat green and renewable sources of electricity as synonymous, there is a distinction. Green energy is that which comes from specific sources that have the highest environmental benefit, including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass and small hydroelectric sources, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, renewable energy “includes resources that rely on fuel sources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish,” which includes all the green options but also other sources such as large hydroelectric dams, which present certain environmental tradeoffs.

That means that if you really want to limit your impact on the Earth as much as possible, go green in lieu of simply choosing renewable energy. You can further refine your choices by asking about the specific source of the electricity, if you have a preference for solar, wind or another option.

Ask an Electrician About Your Options

Deregulated energy markets give you flexibility, but can also sow consumer confusion. If you need help deciphering the offerings of your state's electricity providers, ask an electrician who can walk you through your choices.

If you’re in need of an electric panel installation, you might be wondering if you can do it on your own. Even if you’re a handy kind of person, handling it on your own is not a good idea. In fact, many cities have a rule in place that prevents any non-professionals from performing this kind of installation.

Beyond the complicated nature of putting in a new electrical panel, the task can be dangerous. This is in addition to the long-term hazards that might arise from incorrect electric panel installation. You could be putting your home at risk of a fire, in addition to exposing yourself to the possibility of electrocution.

If your panel’s wiring is outdated or improperly installed, you might be facing many difficulties. In addition to inconveniences like not being able to add new circuits to your system, an inferior panel could leave you dealing with added expenses and even dangerous conditions. Some of the reasons for upgrading or replacing your existing electric panel include: