Latest news with #solarpanels
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowner stunned after receiving first 'surprise' electric bill since installing solar panels: 'Is this normal?'
Solar panels are a big, on-trend deal in the energy world. According to a 2024 statistic shared by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the United States produces approximately 248 gigawatts of solar energy annually, enough to power around 41 million households. This is largely because implementing solar energy sources in a home is a clean and green way to protect our planet while saving consumers loads of cash on energy bills. One Reddit user, for example, was shocked by their low first electric bill since installing solar panels. They shared their experience on the r/Solar subreddit. The scoop "Surprise," they titled their post, "first electric bill after a full month of service." The poster shared a screengrab of their bill, which showed impressive natural energy overproduction. The consumer, whose home has an area of 2,600 square feet, used 425 kilowatt-hours of energy and put 800 kWh back into the grid. They were credited with around 400 kWh for use on less sunny days. Their usage charge was only $15.53. This high energy production and low bill are reasons enough to go solar, and those looking to make the switch could use resources like EnergySage, which offers consumers tools for solar installation and quote comparison. "I'm not complaining but is this normal?" the Reddit poster mused. Commenters informed the poster that this can be pretty typical, although cloudy or snowy months may show a higher bill. How it's helping Consumers can save up to $1,500 a year by going solar. Solar panels can potentially lower energy bills to $0, but government incentives are in place that can save consumers money on solar installations. What would it take for you to get rid of your gas stove? I'd pay for it myself Give me the new stove for free I'd need at least $2K I already have an electric stove Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Those considering going solar should act sooner rather than later, as the currently implemented 30% Investment Tax Credit is now scheduled to end after 2025, and projects must be fully installed, which can take about 12 weeks. One resource that is not going anywhere, however, is EnergySage. The company's free quote comparison service has reportedly saved consumers up to $10,000 on solar installations. While solar-using consumers save money, they also lower their carbon footprints and indirectly impact the environment by reducing the production of greenhouse gases in their households, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. What everyone's saying Many commenters were happy for the poster and related to them about their energy output with solar panels. "Good work," one commenter said, "the longer days are paying off. For me, Jan solar was 42kWh over grid used, and Feb was 340kWh solar over grid." Another said: "This is amazing—glad it's working so well for you!" Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowner stunned after receiving first 'surprise' electric bill since installing solar panels: 'Is this normal?'
Solar panels are a big, on-trend deal in the energy world. According to a 2024 statistic shared by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the United States produces approximately 248 gigawatts of solar energy annually, enough to power around 41 million households. This is largely because implementing solar energy sources in a home is a clean and green way to protect our planet while saving consumers loads of cash on energy bills. One Reddit user, for example, was shocked by their low first electric bill since installing solar panels. They shared their experience on the r/Solar subreddit. The scoop "Surprise," they titled their post, "first electric bill after a full month of service." The poster shared a screengrab of their bill, which showed impressive natural energy overproduction. The consumer, whose home has an area of 2,600 square feet, used 425 kilowatt-hours of energy and put 800 kWh back into the grid. They were credited with around 400 kWh for use on less sunny days. Their usage charge was only $15.53. This high energy production and low bill are reasons enough to go solar, and those looking to make the switch could use resources like EnergySage, which offers consumers tools for solar installation and quote comparison. "I'm not complaining but is this normal?" the Reddit poster mused. Commenters informed the poster that this can be pretty typical, although cloudy or snowy months may show a higher bill. How it's helping Consumers can save up to $1,500 a year by going solar. Solar panels can potentially lower energy bills to $0, but government incentives are in place that can save consumers money on solar installations. What would it take for you to get rid of your gas stove? I'd pay for it myself Give me the new stove for free I'd need at least $2K I already have an electric stove Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Those considering going solar should act sooner rather than later, as the currently implemented 30% Investment Tax Credit is now scheduled to end after 2025, and projects must be fully installed, which can take about 12 weeks. One resource that is not going anywhere, however, is EnergySage. The company's free quote comparison service has reportedly saved consumers up to $10,000 on solar installations. While solar-using consumers save money, they also lower their carbon footprints and indirectly impact the environment by reducing the production of greenhouse gases in their households, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. What everyone's saying Many commenters were happy for the poster and related to them about their energy output with solar panels. "Good work," one commenter said, "the longer days are paying off. For me, Jan solar was 42kWh over grid used, and Feb was 340kWh solar over grid." Another said: "This is amazing—glad it's working so well for you!" Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
This Susbtantial Jackery Power Station Gets Its First-Ever Discount at Amazon
Losing power at home is inconvenient at best and can be downright dangerous at worst. So if you live somewhere where blackouts are a common occurrence, a portable power station is a worthwhile investment. They can keep the lights on for hours, or even days, at a time, and right now you can grab one for hundreds off. Amazon is currently offering the first-ever discount on the Jackery HomePower 3000, which saves you $700 and drops it down to a record-low $1,799. There are also quite a few bundles on sale so you can grab a protective case, solar panels or transfer switch as well. Though there's no telling when these limited-time deals will expire, so don't wait too long to place your order. Jackery makes some of our absolute favorite power stations on the market, and the HomePower 3000 is a great option for use at home or on the road. It boasts a 3072Wh battery capacity, which is enough to power a fridge for up to two days or a light for over a week. Plus, it can handle larger appliances with a 3600W output. Despite it's serious power, it's also smaller than most power stations with similar specs at around 16 inches and 60 pounds. Plus, it fully recharges in just over two hours using a standard AC outlet, or you can pair it with a solar panel for unlimited power when you're off the grid. Why this deal matters Power stations like this Jackery are great for both recreation and emergencies, but they can be a pretty significant investment. If you're looking to grab one with a substantial capacity that you can still take on the go the HomePower 3000 is an excellent option, especially now that you can pick it up at a record-low price. Plus, there are quite a few bundles on sale so you can grab the setup that's best-suited for your needs.
CTV News
a day ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Chinese investors snap up stocks on hopes for an end to price wars and overcapacity
New cars wait for shipment in a parking lot partially covered by solar panels at the distribution center of Changan Auto, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on July 6, 2025. (Chinatopix via AP) BEIJING — China's stock market is buzzing over government promises to tackle price wars that have hurt profits and worsened global trade tensions. The prevailing catchphrase is 'anti-involution,' and it reflects efforts to curb intense competition and overcapacity in industries like solar panels, steel, and electric vehicles. With rising trade barriers such as U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs, and relatively weak domestic demand, manufacturers have been slashing prices, undermining their bottom lines and driving some out of business. The producer price index, which measures the price that factories receive for their goods, has fallen steadily for nearly three years in China in a prolonged bout of deflation. The long-running issue spilled over into global markets as low-priced Chinese exports worsen trade friction with key trading partners including the United States and Europe. Solar panel glass makers agree to cut output by 30 per cent. In a series of recent statements, the Chinese government and industry associations have signaled they're getting serious about reining in cut-throat competition, known as invollution or 'neijuan' in Chinese. The top 10 makers of glass for solar panels agreed on June 30 to shut kilns and cut production by 30 per cent, an industry association said. The government has launched an auto safety inspection campaign, addressing concerns that automakers were skimping on quality to cut costs. It's unclear whether these efforts will succeed, but the sense that China may finally be tackling this chronic problem was enough to spark a rally in stocks in some of those under-pressure sectors. Shares of Liuzhou Iron & Steel Co. gained 10 per cent on Friday and have risen more than 70 per cent since June 30. Solar panel glass producer Changzhou Almaden Co. fell at the end of last week but is still up about 50 per cent. More broadly, two exchange traded funds in solar panels and steel have risen about 10 per cent, outpacing a 3.2 per cent rise in the Shanghai Composite, China's leading market index. The performance of EV-maker stocks has been mixed, with Li Auto and Nio recording double-digit percentage gains while market leader BYD declined. Foreigners can't buy Chinese stocks directly but they are able to invest in about 2,700 stocks and 250 exchange traded funds through the Hong Kong exchange. Government calls intense price wars 'disorderly' The gains follow high-level government pronouncements against disorderly price wars. On June 29, the People's Daily newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, ran a lengthy page one article on involution, saying they run counter to the party's goal of high quality economic development. Chinese leader Xi Jinping weighed in at a closed-door economic meeting, calling for better regulating competition and incentives by local governments to attract factory investments that are blamed for overinvestment in affected industries. The tougher talk began with a focus on automakers in late May, specifically around electric vehicle price wars that began more than three years ago. Analysts at investment bank UBS said the shift is good news for auto industry profits and company stocks. 'Though it's difficult to imagine a sudden U-turn of the industry from fierce competition to orderly consolidation, it's indeed possible to have near-term ceasefire of the price war,' they wrote. Weak demand and overcapacity bring a fight for survival After BYD launched another round of price cuts on May 23, some competitors, the main industry association and government all called for fair and sustainable competition. The EV battery industry, the cement association and major construction companies have issued statements echoing calls for an end to excess competition. The term involution, which suggests a spiraling inward and shrinking, was initially applied in China to students and young workers, who felt they were caught up in meaningless competition that led nowhere as the job market weakened and wages stagnated in recent years. At the industry level, it has come to mean sectors that have too many companies competing for a slice of the pie, leading to fierce price cutting to try to gain market share. The mismatch between production capacity — how much an industry can make — and actual demand for the product, reflects overcapacity that forces companies to compete for survival in a limited market space, said a recent article in the Communist Party magazine Qiushi. Obstacles to fixing the problem Some Chinese industries, especially steel and cement, have long suffered from overcapacity. A government push to promote green industries has fostered similar problems in that sector, including solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles. A flood of Chinese exports is leading to more trade barriers in Europe and the U.S. and in some emerging markets such as Mexico, Indonesia and India. Ultimately, economists say industries need to consolidate through company mergers and bankruptcies. But the process will take time. A major obstacle is provincial governments that want to protect local companies and jobs. Alicia García-Herrero, the chief economist for Asia-Pacific at the Natixis investment bank, said that recent comments by top Chinese economic officials suggest they realize something needs to be done. 'How much is action versus words, I don't know,' she said. 'But I do think it's a big problem for China.' Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed. Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Chinese investors snap up stocks on hopes for an end to price wars and overcapacity
BEIJING — China's stock market is buzzing over government promises to tackle price wars that have hurt profits and worsened global trade tensions. The prevailing catchphrase is 'anti-involution,' and it reflects efforts to curb intense competition and overcapacity in industries like solar panels , steel, and electric vehicles. With rising trade barriers such as President Donald Trump's higher tariffs , and relatively weak domestic demand , manufacturers have been slashing prices, undermining their bottom lines and driving some out of business. The producer price index, which measures the price that factories receive for their goods, has fallen steadily for nearly three years in China in a prolonged bout of deflation . The long-running issue spilled over into global markets as low-priced Chinese exports worsen trade friction with key trading partners including the United States and Europe. In a series of recent statements, the Chinese government and industry associations have signaled they're getting serious about reining in cut-throat competition, known as invollution or 'neijuan' in Chinese. The top 10 makers of glass for solar panels agreed on June 30 to shut kilns and cut production by 30%, an industry association said. The government has launched an auto safety inspection campaign, addressing concerns that automakers were skimping on quality to cut costs. It's unclear whether these efforts will succeed, but the sense that China may finally be tackling this chronic problem was enough to spark a rally in stocks in some of those under-pressure sectors. Shares of Liuzhou Iron & Steel Co. gained 10% on Friday and have risen more than 70% since June 30. Solar panel glass producer Changzhou Almaden Co. fell at the end of last week but is still up about 50%. More broadly, two exchange traded funds in solar panels and steel have risen about 10%, outpacing a 3.2% rise in the Shanghai Composite, China's leading market index. The performance of EV-maker stocks has been mixed, with Li Auto and Nio recording double-digit percentage gains while market leader BYD declined. Foreigners can't buy Chinese stocks directly but they are able to invest in about 2,700 stocks and 250 exchange traded funds through the Hong Kong exchange. The gains follow high-level government pronouncements against disorderly price wars. On June 29, the People's Daily newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, ran a lengthy page 1 article on involution, saying they run counter to the party's goal of high quality economic development. Chinese leader Xi Jinping weighed in at a closed-door economic meeting, calling for better regulating competition and incentives by local governments to attract factory investments that are blamed for overinvestment in affected industries. The tougher talk began with a focus on automakers in late May, specifically around electric vehicle price wars that began more than three years ago. Analysts at investment bank UBS said the shift is good news for auto industry profits and company stocks. 'Though it's difficult to imagine a sudden U-turn of the industry from fierce competition to orderly consolidation, it's indeed possible to have near-term ceasefire of the price war,' they wrote. After BYD launched another round of price cuts on May 23, some competitors, the main industry association and government all called for fair and sustainable competition. The EV battery industry, the cement association and major construction companies have issued statements echoing calls for an end to excess competition. The term involution, which suggests a spiraling inward and shrinking, was initially applied in China to students and young workers, who felt they were caught up in meaningless competition that led nowhere as the job market weakened and wages stagnated in recent years. At the industry level, it has come to mean sectors that have too many companies competing for a slice of the pie, leading to fierce price cutting to try to gain market share. The mismatch between production capacity — how much an industry can make — and actual demand for the product, reflects overcapacity that forces companies to compete for survival in a limited market space, said a recent article in the Communist Party magazine Qiushi. Some Chinese industries, especially steel and cement, have long suffered from overcapacity. A government push to promote green industries has fostered similar problems in that sector, including solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles. A flood of Chinese exports is leading to more trade barriers in Europe and the U.S. and in some emerging markets such as Mexico, Indonesia and India. Ultimately, economists say industries need to consolidate through company mergers and bankruptcies. But the process will take time. A major obstacle is provincial governments that want to protect local companies and jobs. Alicia García-Herrero, the chief economist for Asia-Pacific at the Natixis investment bank, said that recent comments by top Chinese economic officials suggest they realize something needs to be done. 'How much is action versus words, I don't know,' she said. 'But I do think it's a big problem for China.' ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed.
