SolBid, Inc. is proud to announce the recent addition of Steve Spector of Hopkinton, MA. to the SolBid Team. Steve brings a robust network, an abundance of strong solar industry relationships and over 30 years of successful sales, marketing and business development experience to SolBid.

With oil prices plummeting and the viability of supply chains in question, many Americans are adding a potential energy crisis to their list of worries. It is understandable that while so much is unknown, and answers to many of our questions remain elusive, even the most level-headed of us cannot help but worry. Will there be a fuel shortage as a result of the decrease in production? Will my electric company raise its rates? Luckily, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) solar is proving to be one of the most stable energy sources during the COVID-19 pandemic (Fanard, 2020).

The energy market has reached a tipping point as clean energy technologies have seen dramatic reduction in prices over the past decade and have become the least cost option for the US power market.

Cannabis is a lucrative crop but it has one big caveat: the energy intensity of its production. As more and more states are legalizing marijuana in the United States, the energy demand of cannabis growers is putting a strain on both their profit margins and the electric grid. Importantly, Illinois recently announced that when its new law legalizing recreational marijuana takes effect Jan. 1, growers will face some of the strongest energy efficiency and reporting requirements in the country (Thill, 2019). This law could lead other states to follow suit, reinforcing the need for the cannabis industry to start turning to renewables to mitigate its energy appetite.

Image Sourced from: extremetech.com

Finding the right contractor for any project can be difficult – finding one for your next solar installation can feel even more daunting. Here’s everything you need to know in order to ensure that your PV system will be installed correctly and safely.

Solar contractor licensing started in the 1980s alongside the introduction of solar incentive programs. State regulations and licensing of solar contractors have been evolving as the solar industry has continued to grow. Most states require a licensed electrical contractor for PV installations, and some have even stricter requirements. Further, every state and municipality has different laws, regulations, and rebates for installing solar.

Local non profit organization Mass Audubon, with tagline “Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts”, is doing what it’s preaching. After focusing on energy conservation and efficiency improvements for several years, Mass Audubon turned its attention to renewable energy, as clean energy is good for people & wildlife. They have installed solar PV systems at their sites throughout Massachusetts, including their wildlife sanctuaries, education centers and headquarters. So far, they totaled 434 kilowatts installed. They are really focusing on generating as much of their own clean energy as possible, and they purchase the rest from renewable sources.