Go Solar Energy

Biden Administration To Expand the Use of Solar Power Farms on Federal Land

Biden Administration To Expand the Use of Solar Power Farms on Federal Land

By Leave a Comment

It is no secret that solar power is great for the environment because it’s clean, green, and totally renewable. And this is exactly why President Biden is looking to expand the use of solar power in the U.S. and is pushing to open up public lands for solar projects. For example, two large-scale solar projects were recently approved in California. Hopefully, these projects are just the beginning, and the Biden Administration will be able to use more federal land for solar projects throughout the U.S. in the future. 

The Expansion of Solar Energy on Federal Land

The Interior Department has approved two solar projects on federal land in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles. Combined, these two solar projects will be able to generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 132,000 homes. Not only that, but there are talks of a planned third 500-megawatt solar farm getting approval as well. 

hundreds of solar panels on land

The Interior Department also issued a nomination of land for development within “solar energy zones” in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. If approved, these zones would cover about 140 square miles with solar farms.

The solar development zones were first proposed under the Obama Administration. In 2012, there were plans to bring utility-scale solar energy projects to public lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Experts have identified almost 1,400 square miles of public land that could be leased to create more solar farms; if all of these identified lands were developed, the Bureau of Land Management says the land could support farms that create more than 100 gigawatts of solar power, which is enough to power 29 million homes!

“We fully intend to meet our clean energy goals,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said. She said the Trump administration stalled clean energy by shuttering renewable energy offices at the Bureau of Land Management, and by undermining long-term agreements, but the Biden Administration was working to get things back on track.

The Build Back Better Bill

There has been opposition to Biden’s climate agenda, which he has included in his Build Back Better Bill, from Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, but the Biden Administration has indicated that this will not stop them from moving forward on climate action. 

picture of US capitol

It is important to pass the Build Back Better bill, because without it, it will be difficult to get more solar projects underway. Without the provisions in the bill, tax incentives to build large-scale solar farms will drop to 10% of a developer’s total capital costs by 2024, instead of rising to 30%.

It seems like the future is bright for solar power, and if you are interested in getting on board, Go Solar Energy can assist you! We can help you figure out the best system for your budget, and how much you will save when making the switch to solar power. Our agents are highly trained and will compare all of the systems available for your home or business, and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

Making the Switch to Solar for Your Small Business Has Never Been Easier with Go Solar Energy

By Leave a Comment

Making the switch to solar energy for your small business can feel like a big deal. It is a big expense, but think about this: whether you want to save some money on your bills, help the planet, or both, going solar is a great investment, especially considering the tax credits you can get to offset the costs. But is making the switch right for your business? Would your business benefit from using renewable energy? Go Solar Energy’s highly trained agents can assess your personal situation and determine if a solar panel system is right for you, and which plan would be best for your business. 

What Kind of Building Do You Operate Out Of?

illustration of a store building

Before you decide on going solar, think about your physical workplace. Do you operate out of a small space? More importantly, is your business on property that you own, or does it share a roof with other businesses? Are you leasing the property or do you own it? These are all things that need to be taken into consideration when determining if a solar energy system is right for your business. 

How Much Power Do You Need?

Are you open for long hours, or every day of the week? How about during holidays and on weekends? With traditional electricity from the utility company, energy costs are based on usage, which can add up for a small business. But with solar power, your panels will take the sun’s rays and transform it into electricity, and any excess that you do not use can be stored for use whenever you need it. And for times when you don’t have any excess energy stored away, you can use electricity from the utility company – which is still cheaper than solely relying on electricity from the utility company.

Is Your Business Somewhere That Experiences Power Outages?

candle lit with a laptop screen in the background

Power outages can mean closing your business and losing profits. With a solar power system, though, you will always have electricity for your business, even when there is an outage or a storm that knocks out the electricity. How? Well, your panels will generate excess power that is stored away for these kinds of days, and you will have even more power stored if you have battery backups in addition to your stored excess energy. With both of these things, your business’s doors will always be open when you need them to be.

Can You Afford to Make the Switch?

Some people assume that solar panel systems are too expensive for them, and while they can be pricey, there are ways to make them more affordable. For example, there are tax credits available, such as the investment tax credit (ITC) which apply to both residential and commercial solar installations. These credits alone would save you 26% off the cost of installation when deducted from your federal taxes. 

You can also receive Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECS), which allow you to earn additional income from solar energy generation. You can earn one SREC for every megawatt-hour (MWh), or 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWhs), of electricity your solar panel system generates, which you can sell to get even more of your money back. 

Our agents can also look into other ways to help you save money when you purchase your solar energy system. You’ve worked hard to build your business from the ground up, and we know you want to grow it as much as possible – and going solar can actually help you do that! If you are considering solar panels for your business because of all the money-saving and brand-boosting. benefits, Go Solar Energy can help you. It can take a lot of work to find the right solar company and the right solar power system for you, but our highly trained agents work with the top-rated companies in the country, and can compare all solar plans in your area to find the best one available. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar on our homepage, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-290-3112.

Solar Vs Wind Energy

By Leave a Comment

There is no doubt that wind and solar energy are helping to reduce pollution around the world. If you have decided to make the switch to one of these types of renewable energy, then you’re also doing your part to help the environment. But how do you decide between the two? There are pros and cons to each; in order to know which is best for your home, you’ll have to do some research into which is more affordable, and which is most efficient for you. 

Wind Energy

Wind energy is technically a form of solar energy that is captured by wind turbines. The sun heats the earth, causing hot air to rise and cool air to settle, which creates the kinetic energy that produces wind. When wind blows over the turbine’s propeller-like blades, this energy is converted into mechanical power, which then generates electricity for homes and businesses. Wind power is more popular than solar amongst utility and large-scale operations. 

wind turbine in a field near a house

There are many advantages to using wind energy: it cuts down on toxic air pollution, provides backup power in case of emergency, and can’t be depleted. The biggest benefit to wind energy over solar power is that wind turbines aren’t dependent on sunlight, which means they have the ability to generate power 24 hours a day.

There are also some disadvantages to wind energy. The main cons include: 

  • In order to get the full benefits of wind energy, the area where the turbine is located must have an average wind speed of at least 12 miles per hour. 
  • Wind turbines are about 80 ft tall and require a lot of space.
  • If you install a wind turbine within 500 feet of anything that might block it, the turbine will need to be built 30 ft taller. 
  • It can be hard to predict the energy output of a wind turbine, because the wind never blows at the same speed continuously (wind turbines will convert nearly half of the wind hitting them into electrical power). 
  • Because turbines need to move constantly to produce power, the moving parts will need to be replaced often due to wear and tear. Any larger issues will require specialized maintenance, which will cost more money. 

Solar Energy

Solar energy is produced when the photovoltaic cells inside solar panels capture the sun’s energy and transform it into electricity. Solar panels have many benefits, including:

solar panels on a roof with snow on it
  • They can be installed almost anywhere on a roof or on the ground, unlike wind turbines which are much less flexible. 
  • If you have a solar battery, you can store energy for use when it is not sunny out. 
  • If you do not have a solar battery, you can be tied to the grid, meaning that the excess  energy your system generates will be sent to the utility grid. You will also be able to use the energy stored in the grid to power your home at night when your solar panels are not generating any charge.
  • You will receive credit for the extra energy that you generate, which you can use at any time.
  • Unlike wind turbines, which constantly move, solar panels are stationary so there is little maintenance required, other than removing dirt, snow, and debris from the surface area.

There are also some drawbacks to solar energy. Solar energy is only produced when there is sunlight, so your system will not produce energy at night or in cloudy areas. If you don’t have a backup battery or have any extra electricity stored, then you will have to use electricity from your local utility company. Solar panels have high upfront costs, but there is a good chance you will qualify for incentives and rebates, which can help save you a lot of money. 

Which Is Best?

When it comes to choosing between wind and solar energy, you need to take into account all of the above and decide which will work best for your needs. Both sources of energy are great options, and both come with some drawbacks. Overall, wind energy makes more sense at a utility level, while solar energy is a more practical choice on a smaller scale and for homes. In most cases, solar energy will be more practical because you can install panels just about anywhere, while wind turbines need a huge amount of space. Solar energy will also allow you a predictable source of energy, since you can easily store the excess energy that you produce.  

woman with a headset on with her hand up and money over it

When considering renewable energy for your home or business, it’s best to compare plans and companies in your area before making a decision. A Go Solar Energy agent can help you make an informed decision by reviewing all of your options, explaining the installation process for solar energy, going over all of its benefits, and calculating how much you can save. Our agent will compare plans from the top-rated companies in your area, and will help you find the most affordable plan and panel size for your home or business. 

To compare quotes for free, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-290-3112.

Save Money & The Planet With Go Solar Energy

By Leave a Comment

The cost of electricity can feel like it’s out of control. The larger your family is, the larger your electric bill will be, especially in the winter and summer months. But there is a way you can save money on your electric bill while also helping to save the planet. The way to do it? Go solar! Solar energy isn’t just for big businesses, we are able to help small businesses and households install a solar system. We will get you set up with solar panels that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and will save you hundreds on your electric bill.

Solar Power Is Renewable Energy

Solar energy is a clean energy source because it is totally renewable. You could call it the gift that keeps on giving! Energy is collected from the sun and can be used to produce electricity to heat the water in your home or pool, provide ventilation in stuffy spaces, or charge your phone. As long as there is a sun to shine, we will be able to use it to generate power, unlike other energy sources. For example, if we continue to use fossil fuels at our current rate, the supply could run out well before the end of this century. 

green buildings and green circle with branches coming out of it

Solar Power Helps Cut Pollution

It is no secret that the planet continues to take a hit every day from the pollution produced by cars, power plants, and anything else that produces carbon or greenhouse gas emissions. One way you can contribute to making the world a little greener is by using solar energy. Solar power is one of the cleanest, most sustainable resources in the world.

100% of the energy generated by solar panels comes from the sun, so they do not require burning any fossil fuels. This means that producing solar energy does not add any greenhouse gases into the environment, or contribute to climate change. Solar energy also does not pollute our water supply the way that other forms of energy production do. Around 72% of water pollution comes from coal-fired power plants, so by switching to solar power, you can help provide a cleaner environment all around.

Solar Panels Lower Electric Bills

meter with costs and the line staying on the green that says Low

Solar energy is getting more and more attention, and not just because it’s good for the environment. It is also an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to power homes and businesses. If you switch to solar power, you can reduce your electric bills by hundreds of dollars each year. Because you will solely rely on the sun’s energy and only have to use the utility company’s as backup when the sun is not out or there is a thunderstorm, your electric bill will be reduced by up to 50% per month. You also have the option of net metering to save even more money. Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows you to get credit for any excess energy that you produce and add back to the grid. You can also save money by using this excess energy for cloudy days and nights.

Solar Panels Increase Your Home’s Value

According to some studies, having solar panels increases the value of your home by an average of 4.1%, which means almost $10,000 for median-valued homes in the U.S. The value added  depends on where you live, but research shows that buyers are willing to pay up to $15,000 more for a home with an average-sized solar photovoltaic system.

Solar Systems Come With A Warranty

There is no need to worry about something going wrong within your lifetime after installing a solar energy system. Most solar systems have a warranty that lasts for 25-30 years, and even after the warranty expires, there are very rarely any issues with the panels. As long as you keep your solar panels clean and well-maintained, your solar systems will continue to provide you with renewable solar power and cheaper electric bills for years to come.

There Are Solar Rebates!

return on investment with money underneath it

The SREC (solar renewable energy certificates) program is an incentive that allows you to sell certificates for energy to your utility company. You earn one SREC for every 1000 kilowatt hours produced by your solar panel system, and an SREC can be worth over $300 in certain states. You will also receive some federal tax benefits, which can be worth anywhere from 10-26%, depending on when your system was installed.


Ready to take a closer look at solar energy, and to start saving money and the planet? There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a solar system, and a lot to learn about how to maximize your savings. We can help you figure out the best system for your budget  and how much you will save when making the switch to solar power. Our agents are highly trained and will compare all the different systems for your home or business, and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code on the homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

5 Benefits Of Using Solar Power

By Leave a Comment

The sun is a powerful source of energy, so why not use the sunlight, and slash your utility bill? Solar power is taking over the U.S. one household and business at a time. Understandably so! Solar power utilizes energy from the sun and transforms it into electricity to power your home or business. More houses and businesses are switching to clean, renewable electricity sources, and are benefiting in more ways than one. 

1. Renewable Energy Source

Solar power is 100% renewable energy. What does this mean? Because the energy is harvested from the sun, it is essentially unlimited. As long as there is sun, there will be solar energy. 

Solar panels will pull in energy throughout the day, converting it into electricity, otherwise known as the photovoltaic effect.

2. Low Maintenance Costs

extendable duster on solar panels.
Maintenance only requires cleaning the panels and system a couple of times a year.

Solar energy systems do not generally require a lot of maintenance. Once they are installed, all you need to do is make sure they are kept clean. Clean them a couple of times a year, and they should last you forever. Many companies, like Go Solar, will offer warranties on your solar panels and the rest of the system. The only thing that may need to be changed every 5-10 years is the inverter, which converts the D.C. current of the sun to the A.C. current all buildings use. The inverter is always working because it is what takes in all of the sun’s energy and converts it into electricity. 

3. Save Thousands Of Dollars!

Going solar is a smart investment regardless of where you live, but how much you can save depends on the utility rates and solar policies in your area. You could drastically reduce your electric bill or even eliminate it completely! 

Your savings come from SRECS(solar renewable energy certificates). This incentive allows you to sell certificates for energy to your utility. You earn one SREC for every 1000 kilowatt hours produced by your solar panel system. An SREC can be worth over $300 in certain states.

A typical solar panel system is 5 kW, which will produce 5-8 MWh of electricity per year. If the SREC is worth $100, then you can make $500 to $800 per year just from the SRECs. 

4. Federal Tax Incentives

If you decide to buy solar panels and convert to solar power, you will receive some tax benefits. Federal Incentives include: 

  • 26% tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2019 and before 01/01/2021 
  • 22% tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2020 and before 01/01/2022 
  • 10% tax credit for systems placed in service after 01/01/2022 (COMMERCIAL ONLY) 

The home served by the system does not have to be the taxpayer’s principal residence. 

If the federal tax credit exceeds your tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable years. There is no ceiling on the tax credit, and it applies to equipment, permit, and installation costs 

5. Increased Home Value

stacks of coins going up, with a wooden house next to it.

Studies have shown that homes with solar energy systems sell for more than homes without them. In some parts of the country, going solar will actually increase your property value more than would a kitchen renovation.


With so many benefits to using renewable energy, it is a no brainer as to why so many people are switching to solar power. Going solar has never been easier! If you want to gather some information on solar energy and how much it would cost you, Go Solar Energy can help. We will provide you answers to any questions you have, and will provide free quotes on solar panels and installation in your region. Our highly trained agents will go through the whole process with you, free of charge! Start saving thousands of dollars. Enter your zip code on the homepage to get started, or speak directly to one of our agents by calling (888) 290-3112. It’s as easy as that- no obligation and no hassle!