Blog

The Inflation Reduction Act: What It Means for Solar Power in 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act is the most aggressive climate action in United States history. The Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives for homeowners

What Upgrades Are Available for Solar Energy Systems?
For businesses and homeowners that have made the switch to solar energy, there may come a time when you want to upgrade your system. Maybe

Solar Panels: The Smart Investment for Your Business
Diversifying your business’ sources of energy can have significant impacts, directly reducing power expenses and protecting your company from ever-fluctuating costs. An increasing number of

Sol-Ark Inverters are a Trusted Brand at RED Group
One of the benefits of working with Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) is our strong relationships with multiple distributors and solar component manufacturers. One

IRA Updates Provide Great News for Businesses and Nonprofits
There has never been a better time to go solar! If you haven’t been following the news on the latest Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and

Understanding Solar Power and Batteries
Are batteries included? Do I need batteries if I have solar panels? These are common questions we get when speaking with North Carolinians interested in

Do Solar Installations Provide Tax Credits or Incentives?
Going solar is not only great for the environment, but it’s great for your finances as well. Did you know there are federal tax credits

Why Does RED Group Use & Trust Generac Inverters?
At Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) we are proud of the strong relationships we have with multiple distributors and solar component manufacturers, including inverters.

RED Group is a Trusted Solar Energy System Installer
Solar energy projects are complex as they have numerous moving parts to manage. At Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) we provide turnkey services for

Why Does RED Group Use & Trust SolarEdge Inverters?
At Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) we have relationships with multiple distributors and many manufacturers for solar components, including inverters. We’re able to source

Monitoring Ensures You Make the Most of your Clean Solar Energy
Do you already have solar panels installed or are you researching what happens after they are installed? Let’s look into the monitoring of panels after

Net Metering: What Is It and Why Is It Important to Solar Energy Users?
If you are researching solar panel systems, then you’ve likely seen the term “net metering.” At Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group), our goal is

Refer A Friend to RED Group and Earn Money!
Everything’s better with friends! Solar energy is no different. That is why at Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) we offer a ‘Refer a Friend’

Solar Installation Company: Why a Company’s Longevity Matters
Whether you have just begun thinking about installing solar panels or are well into your research, there is one important factor to figure in when

RED Group Owners Share All About Working in the Solar Energy Business for a Decade
We are excited to announce Renewable Energy Design Group (RED Group) is celebrating our 10-year anniversary this month! In honor of this major business milestone,

What is the NC Solar Rebate Program?
Solar energy is increasingly rising in popularity for its many benefits such as increasing your home’s or your business’s value, providing clean energy, and decreasing

Do Solar Panels Increase Property Value?
Whether you own a home or business, property value is of the utmost importance to you. Even if you just moved in or launched your

What Are the Benefits to Switching to Solar Panels Before Summer?
Flowers are blooming, spring is here, and summer is on the horizon! The sunshine and vacation time of summer is thrilling. However, the heat and

REAP Grants: Help for Rural Small Businesses and Agricultural Producers to Invest in Solar
Owning a small business in a rural area or producing agricultural products requires energy, which is increasingly costly. Thankfully, many rural small business owners, farmers,

Commercial Solar Energy – Big Benefits & Incentives for Businesses
When you own a business, you want to invest in what’s best for it as well as decrease operating costs. What would you say to

What to Know Before Investing in Solar Energy
Solar panels are a smart investment for the future and to save money on your monthly power bills now. As with any investment, there are

Getting the Most Out of Your Solar PV System: Understanding Net Metering
Net metering is a term that can be confusing to solar PV system owners. With net metering, the solar power system owner will typically receive

How Do Solar Panels Work?
With rising power prices and increasing concerns about our environmental impact, many people are looking into solar panels as a viable power source. At Renewable

Is Solar A Scam?
If you are on any type of media outlet – from social media to television – you’ve likely seen ads for solar energy. Maybe a

How To Read Your Solar Proposal
So you’ve decided to go solar! How do you evaluate your proposal? Before investing in solar energy, it is vital to have confidence in your

Meet Our Team
Renewable Energy Design Group has been dedicated to solar energy and exceeding our clients’ expectations since 2012. As the leading solar installer in North Carolina

Why Solar Power is a Good Investment for Your Home
Solar power is a popular investment for homeowners in North and South Carolina that saves money on energy bills, protects the environment, and offers tax

How long will it take to get my new solar system up and running?
A typical residential installation takes about 3-5 days and a typical commercial installation takes about 1-3 weeks from the day we begin the installation. The

What’s it like to work with Renewable Energy Design Group?
What It’s Like to Work with Us The Process: After hearing from you–the homeowner–about your goals, we create a free solar energy analysis and proposal

Equipment Used for Solar Installations
Renewable Energy Design Group uses a variety of different equipment depending on the installation site’s specific needs. We would love to evaluate your site and


Solar Neighborhood in Charlotte North Carolina
What if every home could have a net-zero energy bill? For homeowners in the new ReAlta neighborhood Charlotte, that dream might just be a reality.

Clean Energy in your Community: Carolina Bronze Makes Sustainable Art with REDGroup’s Battery-Charged Solar Power
The vast majority of solar electric systems installed in the Carolinas are grid-tied systems, relying on the utility and net metering to compensate the owner

What is the difference between micro-inverters vs. centralized inverter
Inverters take the electrical from the solar panels which is DC and converts this to AC for your home to use. A centralized inverter will

Birdsong Brewing Solar Event
Red Group is hosting an event at Birdsong Brewing Thursday 10/5 from 5pm -7:30pm. Come learn how solar can benefit your home or business. Birdsong

What happens when the grid goes down and the neighborhood looses power?
Do solar panels provide electricty during power outages? In most cases if the grid is down your home will be without power even though you

I might sell my home in a couple of years. How does installing a solar system change the resell value?
I might sell my home in a couple of years. How does installing a solar system change the resell value? An energy efficient home can

How will a solar system look once it’s installed?
Your system will look amazing! We customize every system to meet our client’s satisfaction, including a sleek, beautifully installed system. We have a long history

What’s the difference between PV and other solar energy technologies?
The main types of solar energy technologies are: Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly to electricity by means of PV cells made of semiconductor materials.

How can we get electricity from the sun?
When certain semiconducting materials, such as certain kinds of silicon, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as

What is photovoltaics (solar electricity) or “PV”?
“Photovoltaics” comes from two words: photo, a stem derived from the Greek phos, which means light; and volt, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta

How does solar power connect to the electrical grid?
The solar energy generated by PV panels is converted from DC to AC power by an on-site inverter. In grid connected systems, the AC electric
How does a solar water-heating system work?
Active vs. passive solar water-heating systems for solar energy Every solar water-heating system features a solar collector that faces the sun to absorb the sun’s
Do I need approval from my homeowners’ association?
Some homeowners’ associations have rules regarding the installation of anything on your roof or grounds. If you belong to a homeowners’ association, consult your covenants

Can the modules withstand high winds and hail?
The panels are supported by our roofer-designed mounting system that has been tested to withstand 140 mph (winds and can work on almost every type
Do I need special insurance requirements?
Standard homeowner’s insurance policies usually suffice to meet electric utility requirements. Electric utilities usually require that homeowners who take advantage of net metering sign an

How do I know if I have enough sunlight for PV?
First, it’s good to know how photovoltaic (PV) soler energy systems work. A photovoltaic (PV) system needs unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most
Do you have financing available?
RED Group is authorized to work with various distributors and financial institutions. We can connect you with a program that works well for your personal

Is now a good time to buy a solar power system?
Now is the perfect time to switch to solar. Federal, state and local governments are offering generous incentives to go solar; however, these programs are
Will the government give tax incentives for going solar?
The incentives and rebates for solar are both real and substantial. The most important thing to keep in mind about these programs is this—they won’t

What if my roof needs repairs after I’ve installed solar panels?
Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition. When we come out to inspect your building prior to installation,
What kind of permits are needed to meet local building codes?
As part of our comprehensive service, we obtain all building permits and design your system to meet your local building, utility, and electrical codes. We

Is it difficult to switch over to solar power?
Switching to solar power is easy. We will get your solar system up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible so that you can

How long will a solar system last?
The basic PV module (interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. The best way to

How do I know my system is working properly?
We integrate an online monitoring program with each solar system we design and install. This allows our clients and RED Group to monitor the production

How reliable is solar power?
One benefit of a solar panel installation is that the systems are very reliable. They have proven to be dependable sources of energy for large

Should I wait for new technology?
Now is the best time to invest in a solar system because of the cost-effectiveness of this proven, affordable clean technology. The underlying benefit of

What maintenance is required?
Your solar energy system requires very little maintenance, largely because it has no moving parts. All your system requires is minimal shade, occasional cleaning, and
What are the components of a photovoltaic (PV) system?
A photovoltaic system is made up of a group of principal components, which include: PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV
Will I need to adapt my home or business to run on solar power?
Your home or business is ready to run on solar now. Solar power electric systems fit seamlessly onto or by your building. You won’t have

What happens at night, or when the weather turns cloudy?
Solar energy systems rely on direct sunlight to generate power. Since the amount of power your solar system generates is a direct result of sunlight,
Do I need a battery back-up system for my solar energy system?
You don’t necessarily need batteries for your solar energy system. Depending on your goals for this project, we will help you evaluate the efficacy of
What happens if there is a black out?
In the event of a blackout, your system is designed to turn off. This is a safety requirement by the utility company so that their

How much does a solar energy system cost, and how much will I save on utility bills?
Unfortunately, there is no single or simple answer. Solar tax incentives reduce the costs PV system design and installation. These costs vary based on the
Why should I purchase a PV system?
Solar systems often make financial and ecological sense for our clients. In addition to acting as a guaranteed investment, solar energy creates electricity and heat
What size solar system do I need?
Every home and business is different, so the size of your system will depend on your energy needs, how much electricity or hot water or
What makes an ideal site for a solar energy system?
To decide if a solar energy system will work at your homesite, the first question should always be whether your building is energy efficient. Next,

What is net metering? Is net metering available where I live and work?
Net metering is a policy that allows solar PV system owners to receive full credit for the clean energy they generate. As the PV system

What is the environmental impact of solar?
Using national average emission factors, every megawatt-hour of electricity generated through a solar PV panel avoids more than 1,300 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2), more
Does a solar system make financial sense for me?
Yes! Solar is cleaner and less expensive than power from the utility company. Solar is a smart financial investment because you will save money on

Will a solar installation work for my home or business?
The two biggest factors for a solar installation are the amount sunlight you get throughout the day and the amount of open space available. We

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?
Many people are turning to solar power to cut their electric costs and benefit the environment. Some, in jurisdictions where it’s allowed, are selling power

Residents of cloudy states can still benefit enormously from solar power.
When considering whether or not to look into the potentially enormous benefits of solar power, many people worry whether they get sufficient sunlight to generate

What “Peak Sun Hours” Means
Solar energy has been around for some time now, yet it is still very new to most people. There are a lot of things people

Birdsong Brewing’s Solar Investment Steadily Pays Off
Recognized as 2019 Charlotteans of the Year, Birdsong Brewing was Charlotte’s first brewery to employ solar power. It’s steadily paying off for owners Chris and

RED Group Wins Blue Sky Award
Thanks to the countless changes that individuals, organizations, and businesses make every day, our world is becoming more and more eco-friendly. Clean Air Carolina is

Thomasville Pediatrics to use solar power
Thomasville Pediatrics, a longtime medical practice in Davidson County, is now leading the community in renewable energy. On Sept. 24, workers from Renewable Energy Design

Charlotte Cyclists Take Solar Panel Tour Of Plaza Midwood
About 25 solar-curious people pedaled around the Plaza Midwood neighborhood Oct. 5 in the Charlotte Solar Homes Cycling Tour. The tour was hosted by the

Why the market for rooftop solar in North Carolina is heating up
Duke Energy Corp.’s rebate program helped double the amount of rooftop residential solar installed annually in North Carolina and may be the most successful part

Generac Acquires Pika Energy
The clean energy industry is expanding at an exponential rate. It seems like every time a clean energy company develops a product, another company is

2020 Solar Rebates
It’s no secret that the initial cost of solar panel installation can be a little intimidating. That said, they are undoubtedly a long-term investment that

Benefits of Solar
Have you ever thought about switching to solar energy, but weren’t sure if it was right for you? It’s a big change to make, and

Solar Investment Tax Credit
Tax credits are one of the ways that local, state, and federal governments can incentivize citizens to take action on particular matters. In most cases,

Renewable Energy Design Group is a Duke Trade Ally Partner
With over 7 million customers spread over six states in the Southeastern and Midwestern U.S., Duke Energy is one of the largest power companies in

NABCEP Certification
In an industry like ours, we need to have a deep understanding of all things solar so that we can not only provide our customers