Archives: Resources

The History of Solar Power

Time to read: 6 minutes December 1, 2022 Have you ever caught a shimmer out of the corner of your eye while on a walk or a drive and noticed a shiny, futuristic solar panel adorning the roof? It seems like every residential area has several (if not more) homes with a set of cutting-edge solar panels adorning their roofs in 2022. This technology is extremely popular now, and more Texans are installing solar arrays with backup batteries and generators every day. We’ve previously covered some of the incredible things that this technology is effective for such as: Grid failures…

Solar Power and Beekeeping 

Time to read: 6 minutes November 29, 2022 Solar power is associated with going green, cutting electricity bills, and giving its users a reliable way to power their home. Now there’s another way that customers are using solar power. BEElieve it or not, beekeeping is popular with solar farms Beekeeping has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. Many who keep bees as a hobby do so in order to harvest their honey for themselves or to sell it. While there is a bit of contention on the topic of conservation, many beekeepers cite improving the environment as another reason…

Generator Roundup

Time to read: 3 minutes November 23, 2022 Over the last month, we’ve sung the praises of what is likely the best backup power solution available in the face of power outages. Generac® series Home standby generators are reliable, sturdy, and most importantly, can keep your home running when you need it most.  In this article, we’ll be going back over the most important points on this incredible backup power solution. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, you and your family can confidently say that power outages aren’t your problem.  Generators are a tried and true technology…

Increase Your Home’s Value with Solar Panels

Time to read: 5 minutes (Updated November 22, 2022) There are many reasons to add solar panels to your home, from developing an environmentally friendly footprint to lowering energy costs. One of the most important aspects to consider financially may be the increase in your home’s property value. According to research from Zillow, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than the national average, adding approximately $9,274 to the cost of a median-priced home. The returns can be even higher in markets with premium home prices. In New York City, for example, solar panels added 5.4% to the sales…

Myths About Generators

Time to read: 5 minutes November 18, 2022 Generators have become a popular topic with home and business owners as temperatures begin to plummet across Texas. Many remember the hardships that were caused by Winter Storm Uri and are now preparing for what might be one of the coldest winters that the Lone-Star State has seen in years. While generators are rising in popularity, it’s important to have the right information on this tried-and-true technology.  In this article, we’re going to be debunking many of the common myths about generators and explain why they may be the most important addition…

What will the Weather be Like for Texans This Winter? 

Time to read: 5 minutes November 15, 2022 Now that we’re halfway through November, there’s one question on everyone’s minds: will this winter be as harsh as the last one? If so, what does that mean for you? Is there anything that you can do to prepare just in case temperatures plummet during a power outage? IES Texas Solar has the answer to that.  In this article, we’re going to go over some weather predictions about the next chilly season.  Weather predictions for winter 2023 Early weather predictions Early long-range predictions of the coming Texas winter show that this winter…

Why are Generators a Tried and True Backup Power Solution?

Time to read: 6 minutes November 10, 2022 More Texans are installing backup power than ever before. In light of sky-high electric bills, power outages caused by the Winter Storm Uri, and blackouts caused by other extreme weather like wildfires and torrential rains, Texans are doing what they’ve always done; become more self-reliant and self-sufficient.. No piece of backup power equipment embodies these qualities like generators.  In this article, we’re going to go over one of the oldest and most reliable forms of backup power that is, as IES PV Design Engineer Kevin Marceski described it, “tried and true”. Let’s…

The Energy Vampires that Lurk Within Your Home, Even After Halloween

Estimated time to read: 4 minutes November 11, 2022 What are vampire appliances? Read our newest blog to learn all about energy sucking appliances in your home, how to spot them, and what you can do to stop them! Vampire appliances Energy sucking appliances are lurking in your home at this very moment. Where exactly are they and how can you find them? Vampire appliances are everywhere, including: your living room, kitchen, bedroom, and hiding under your desk! Where there’s a plug, there’s sure to be vampire appliances on the other end. Vampire appliances are classified as devices that are…

Enphase IQ 10: What you Need to Know About the Latest Tech

Time to read: 10 minutes November 3, 2022 If you couldn’t already tell, we love talking about the solar energy technology that has been referred to as the “workhorse” of the Solar Powered Systems installed by IES Texas Solar. Enphase is a reliable brand that IES Texas Solar has used to install the most effective Solar Powered Systems on the market. Now that Enphase has rolled out the Enphase IQ 10, we wanted to explore what sets this technology apart from what came before and find out what makes it so wonderfully efficient. Join us as we dive into the…

Agrivoltaics, Farming, and You!

Time to read: 5 minutes November 1, 2022 What if we told you that solar power was one of the best investments that a farmer could make? Do you have extra space on the buildings on your farm? Do you grow crops that need a healthy amount of shade? Would you like to spend less money on electricity while giving your farm and the next generation of farmers in your family a reliable power source that’s here to stay? Then read on! In this post, we’ll be taking a look at a new (but also sort of older) type of…