Harmon Electric & Solar News

The solar future of energy is constantly evolving. First, panels themselves have become much more efficient than designs ten or 15 years ago. Homeowners can more reliably assess their needs and build out a system that promises accessible energy generation or freedom from the grid.  Batteries and V2G systems In 2024, some of the biggest technologies shaping the industry are batteries and V2G systems In addition, the solar energy industry is continuously developing brand-new technologies...

Solar energy is becoming a very popular choice of alternative energy for many residential homeowners. Solar energy is produced by installing solar panels on the top of the roof, where they can gather the sun’s rays the best. Once the sun’s energy is captured, the solar energy system is able to convert that energy into usable electrical power for a home. Since solar energy is considered safe for the environment, the government has put in place different tax credits and incentives fo...

Inside a solar panel are layers of opposing materials that create positive and negative charges when exposed to light. The best are called photovoltaic solar panels. The power can then be used or sent out into the public power grid for credit against the time when it is necessary to draw some back out. The net difference is what appears on the electric bill each month. Leased solar panels Harmon Solar came to the residence and reviewed the roof and the power needs of the residents In Casa Gr...

APS (Arizona Public Service) offers Renewable Energy Incentive Program opportunities to homeowners and businesses who install various renewable energy sources. Amounts will vary based on the type of technology used and the scope of the project. For example, APS now offers homeowners $.60 per kWh incentive for grid PV Systems for their utility customers. This is down significantly from the 2011 $1.00 per kWh incentive. However, with the decrease in panel costs and the leasing programs now offer...

Solar panel installations are booming across America. In the not-so-distant past, this technology was seen as too difficult and expensive for everyday people; the technology was prohibitive as far as limitations to its practical application. Now, solar panels are cheap, efficient, and accessible in comparison to traditional forms of generating energy or heating. The advantages are clear, and current trends in solar are pointing in one direction: More solar, at lower prices, especially here in A...

Solar energy helps families save money by converting solar energy into electricity. This happens when a solar panel captures UV rays from the sun. It then converts those rays into direct current (DC) electricity. The DC needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) because that is what is used in a home. This method creates energy savings for residential users because the photovoltaic solar system will collect any surplus energy collected by the solar panel during the day and will then draw...

The installation of solar panels can greatly minimize a home’s electric bill by converting the sun’s rays into usable electricity. Harmon Solar’s panels use photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) power. The DC power is sent to an inverter and turned into usable alternating current (AC) power. When the AC power leaves the inverter box, it moves to the electrical panel, which is monitored by a utility meter. If the syste...

When they’re researching solar power for the home, they’ll come across the term solar PV or photovoltaic. So what does that mean? The photovoltaic effect is the process that creates voltage or electric current by exposure to light. Photo means light, and voltaic means volts or electricity. A solar panel is made up of photovoltaic cells made out of a silicon semiconductor. Differentiate from solar systems The solar panel system then converts that electricity into current that can b...

With all the talk lately about global warming it’s good to know that there’s a practical alternative within reach of virtually any business or homeowner: solar power. After decades of refinement, the technology is truly “ready for prime time.’ Five Reasons Solar Makes Sense In 2014! 1 – Solar Is Booming In Arizona If they’re here in Arizona, they’re on prime real estate for capturing those solar savings. In fact, Arizona is the third-fastes...

Choosing the right solar panel financing is key to maximizing energy savings for homeowners and landlords in the greater Phoenix, Maricopa County area. Harmon Solar, a trusted local business operating for over 15 years, specializes in guiding residents through this important decision. Solar Panel Financing With a focus on honesty and customer service, they offer insights into the best residential and commercial solar financing options to suit the needs and budget. Explore essential factors to...

The installation of a solar panel system in a residential or commercial building is commendable. Most times, the installation process is pricey. However, the benefits are long-term since the system is reliable and provides cheap energy. Like any other gadgets in the residential or commercial space, users need to maintain their solar panels. Maintenance is necessary for the system to serve users for an extended period. Read on to discover how to make sure the solar panel system remains in good c...

Getting solar panels installed and transforming the rooftop into the own personal power station can seem like a daunting journey at first. Having a good idea of what they are looking for in regards to their energy needs will streamline the process of installing a system. Types of Solar Panel Systems There are three primary options for a solar power system: on-grid, on-grid with backup batteries, and off-grid. 1. On-Grid System The panels on the roof will take in power that is connected to t...

Installing solar panels is an incredible investment in the home and future. Despite this, the upfront costs and cost of installing solar are what deter many people from doing so. But why solar? Well, there are a variety of long-term reasons why they would want to install solar panels. Not only are solar panels great for the environment, but they can also dramatically reduce the utility bill and electricity bills. Solar panel installation costs The average cost saved with solar energy sys...

In the last few years, the US corporate world has seen an increase in solar power adoption, with companies like Walmart and Apple taking the lead in solar energy installation. Given the cost-effectiveness of solar energy, this is hardly a surprise. Installing solar panels for the business can allow it to supplement its energy needs, reducing its dependence on non-renewable energy sources. And luckily, solar panel prices have dropped over the years, making solar panels affordable for s...

Homeowners in the greater PHX and Maricopa County area are increasingly aware of the need to reduce their carbon footprints. Solar energy offers a practical solution to this, not just for cutting energy costs but for contributing to a sustainable future. For homeowners and landlords, investing in solar panels means embracing cleaner energy. Learn all they need to know about making the switch and all the benefits that come with introducing solar energy into the property. Solar Energy and Its En...

Misconceptions about solar energy can discourage homeowners from exploring one of the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions available now. These myths—often outdated or based on misinformation—create unnecessary hesitation about making the switch. Homeowners and landlords in the greater Phoenix area can make wiser, more confident investments by understanding the facts. From concerns about cost to confusion about maintenance, they’re debunking common solar panel myths a...

Innovation is the soul of civilization, and this cannot be better epitomized than by the sweeping revolution of solar power. Once reserved for wealthy corporations and luxurious mansions, the technology of solar power is now available for use in every home. Solar panels in themselves are a technological marvel, and now Harmon Solar is using them to help homeowners save a bundle on energy bills. Solar panel Each solar panel is comprised of scores of photovoltaic cells, which capture solar...

Harmon Electric and Harmon Solar had the pleasure of installing a photovoltaic solar energy system on a home for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona.  Harmon Electric and Harmon Solar provided the supplies and materials, plus the manpower to install the $10,800 solar system. This is the third system the company has donated to Habitat for Humanity. Last year, Harmon Solar committed to being a solar partner for Habitat for Humanity Desert Foothills. Recently, the Desert Foothills affili...

As utility costs continue to rise, businesses now have the opportunity to take advantage of a number of programs that can help to reduce overhead. These programs provide the opportunity to obtain grants for the equipment and installation of clean energy sources, like solar, wind, and biomass. The federal government is offering a federal grant to businesses looking to utilize solar energy. These grant programs by the USDA can help those who felt solar power was far above their small busines...

Driving around the Valley, it’s hard to miss all of the solar panel installations that are taking place at many of the schools around town. What people probably haven’t noticed is that this same type of activity is also happening at schools in more rural parts of the state. Through APS’s Solar for Schools and Government program, Harmon Solar is fortunate to be a big part of the alternative energy evolution and solar panel installations that are taking place in Northern an...

As energy prices continue to rise, homeowners and businesses are searching for ways to reduce their energy costs. One of the most effective ways to save money on energy bills is by installing solar panels. This article will cover nine reasons why solar panels can help users save money on their energy bills. The most obvious benefit of installing solar panels is the reduction in energy bills. Reduced Energy Bills Solar panels can also help increase the overall energy efficiency of the home or...

On a cold, windy Saturday morning earlier this month, employees from Harmon Solar and Harmon Electric volunteered their time to install a donated solar system on a Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Home in North Phoenix. The installation took place the same day the Sabbara family moved into their new home. The 12-panel, 2.7 kW solar array could initially save the new homeowner up to $600 per year on energy costs. Solar energy In late 2011, Harmon Solar committed to being a long-term p...

Photovoltaic materials produce the greatest amount of energy generation for a given area exposed to sunlight. A solar panel cell has two layers of photovoltaic materials that each produces a positive or negative charge. Solar panels are made of many cells that combine to make a large charge. The energy powers the home and the extra flows out into the public power grid for credit against the time when the residents need to draw power back out of the grid. Impact of solar energy Harmo...

Photovoltaic Solar panels are an advanced power generation technology. How do solar panels work? Solar energy saves money by replacing energy from the public power grid with clean energy generated on-site at home. Solar energy is healthy for the environment because solar power is clean energy that is generated by the sun. Solar panels are grids of small photovoltaic cells that turn the sun’s light directly into electrical power. The grid of solar receptors inside solar panels combine to...

This solar panel installation follows four other school projects that Harmon Electric/Harmon Solar has worked on within the past six months. Earlier this year, Harmon Electric/Harmon Solar began construction of one of its largest commercial solar systems, a multi-unit design and solar panel installation for three schools within the Douglas Unified School District. These projects will be completed by the close of the month. Significant energy At the beginning of 2011, Harmon Solar/Harmon Elect...

Like many Valley transplants, the extremely hot summer months take some getting used to. While most newcomers eventually adjust to their new climate, the one thing that never seems tolerable is the high utility bills that are inevitable for five months out of the year. T.J. and Roni Todd are no exception to this scenario, but rather than accepting this was just part of living in the Valley of the Sun, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Photovoltaic companies The Todd’s b...

Harmon Solar was selected by APS as the solar installer for four projects in Greater Metro Phoenix as part of the utility provider’s Low Income Residential Partnership Program (LIRPP), a competitive grant process for low-income or non-profit housing facilities. Initially, Harmon Solar was asked to assess the cost of solar for a variety of residences, and APS ultimately decided upon Varney Homes, Fillmore Gardens, Maggie’s Place, and Casa Bonitas. Completed in August of 2011, th...

Harmon Solar has joined forces with a group of solar companies to form the Arizona Solar Deployment Alliance, a coalition designed to advocate on behalf of the solar consumer.  The group was announced by the Phoenix Business Journal’s Patrick O’Grady. A new group of solar companies has formed to take a more active role in advocating for consumers. Arizona Solar Deployment Alliance The Arizona Solar Deployment Alliance was formed by five Arizona-based solar companies The...

Arizona has become one of the forerunning states in solar power usage. With the rising cost of electricity and the resulting higher energy bills, especially during the summer months when air conditioner and pool pump usage peaks, it makes sense that many Arizonans use one of nature’s commodities for their energy needs. Most homeowners convert to solar power because it is readily available, renewable and curbs dependence on fossil fuels that pollute the environment. The cost of installing...

Following the announcement of APS’ proposal to alter its policy for net metering (the process for which solar users are compensated for excess energy production), Harmon Solar wanted to do something significant to ensure that solar continues to be a viable cost-saving option for Arizona home and business owners. A group of solar companies, including Harmon Solar, has formed a nonprofit organization designed to advocate on behalf of the solar consumer and educate the community on the impor...