by Renu Energy | Mar 24, 2025 | Energy Storage, Residential
As we welcome March, we also embrace longer days with daylight saving time and the official start of Spring! More sunlight isn’t just great for outdoor activities—it’s also a major benefit for homeowners looking to maximize their energy savings with solar power.
Why More Sun Means More Savings
Did you know that homes with solar panels can generate up to 80% more energy in the summer compared to the winter months?* That’s because longer days and increased sunlight exposure allow solar panels to produce more electricity, reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your utility bills.
By switching to solar now, your system could be fully operational by the time the most productive months of the year arrive, ensuring you get the maximum return on your investment.
Maximize Your Energy with Solar + Battery Storage
Solar energy isn’t just about producing power during the day—it’s also about storing energy for when you need it most. With a solar + battery backup solution, you can capture excess energy produced during peak daylight hours and use it later – whether at night, during peak-rate times, or in case of a power outage. This means:
- Less reliance on the grid
- Greater energy independence
- Peace of mind during unexpected outages
Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Make the Switch
Spring is a prime season for solar installations. By making the switch now, your system will be up and running just in time for summer—when solar production is at its highest. This allows you to start saving immediately while taking advantage of incentives and rebates that may be available in your area.
Take Control of Your Energy Future
Don’t wait until peak summer rates kick in—start saving now! Contact Renu Energy Solutions today for a free consultation and see how much you could be saving with solar.
*Source: Duracell Energy
by Renu Energy | Feb 4, 2025 | Residential
The Rising Cost of Power
In 2020, the average homeowner’s power bill was around $100 – but today, that cost has more than doubled with the average homeowner now paying over $200. Several factors contribute to this rise, including the increasing costs of maintaining the grid and the volatility of energy prices. Utility companies continue to pass these rising costs onto consumers, leaving homeowners with little control over their monthly bills. Without solar, you’re essentially renting your power from the grid, paying a monthly fee just to access electricity. However, when you choose solar, you take control of your energy. By generating your own power through solar panels, you can reduce or even eliminate your reliance on the utility company, protecting yourself from future rate hikes.
What’s even better? By adding a battery to your system, you can eliminate your dependence on the grid entirely. With solar + battery storage, you not only create your own energy but also store backup power for emergencies. This means that when the grid goes down due to storms, power outages, or unexpected failures, your home stays powered, keeping your lights on and your appliances running. Energy independence is more than just a convenience—it’s peace of mind, ensuring that you and your family have reliable electricity when you need it most.
The Financial Benefits of Switching to Solar
Switching to solar isn’t just about personal benefits—it’s also a smart financial decision. When you install solar, you gain access to a 30% federal tax credit, lowering your taxable income. Many states and utility companies also offer additional incentives, making solar even more affordable. Over time, your solar investment pays for itself through lower energy bills, increased home value, and long-term savings. Instead of throwing money away on ever-increasing electric bills, why not put that money toward something you own?
Solar Power and a Sustainable Future
Beyond financial savings, solar power contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, you help lower carbon emissions and decrease the overall demand for energy produced by traditional power plants. Many homeowners who go solar are not just thinking about their own energy needs but are also helping to strengthen the grid and support a more resilient energy infrastructure. When more homes generate their own power, the strain on the grid decreases, benefiting the entire community.
So, why keep renting your power when you can generate, store and own your energy? Making the switch to solar is an investment in your home, your finances and a more sustainable future. Take control of your energy and start saving today!
by Jeff Aliotta | Oct 29, 2018 | Renu Solar News
The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association recently headed up the creation for the first ever code of professional conduct for solar installers who contract with residential and commercial clients for full-service solar projects. The NC Solar Code of Conduct makes sure that all solar installations meet the proper requirements to provide the highest quality of service.
As reported in the Charlotte Business Journal Duke Energy is running rebate program from 2018-2022 that’s offering savings on projects for eligible customers. Renu Energy Solutions joins with several other members of the organization of sustainable energy businesses to establish baseline professional codes for the industry.
Mike Davis, Director of membership for the Raleigh-based NCSEA, says: “A code of professional conduct is a good thing for any industry. But we have seen an influx of new players in the market (after Duke offered the rebates) and that gave us a sense of urgency.”
Who’s Chasing the Incentives?
When Duke Energy rolled out solar rebates this past spring — mandated by last year’s Competitive Energy Solutions for NC Act — North Carolina notably jumped back up into the top-tier market for residential and commercial solar.
But evidently, a lot of installers who were not in North Carolina previously are getting on the scene now because of local incentives provided through the utility. Installers native to the area are looking to be vigilant and make sure that newcomers can be held accountable for practices that consumers don’t like and shouldn’t have to deal with, which according to the Charlotte Business Journal’s reporting include “high-pressure sales, over-promising on incentives that don’t come through, overselling potential savings and, in some cases, doing shoddy workmanship.”
Ensuring Integrity and Quality, Together
From this point on, NCSEA will not accept new members or retain existing members who do not adhere to the professional conduct described in the code. “We want to be able to assure the public that our members are upholding the highest standards in the industry,” he says. Renu Energy Solutions and other signatories pledge to refrain from deceptive or misleading advertising, never refer to renewable energy as “free” when it isn’t, or to inflate the impact of future rate increases by utilities to solar seem more attractive.
At Renu Energy Solutions in Charlotte, which has grown in recent years to employ 30 people at our Charlotte and Jamestown offices, we’ve by and large heard few reports of solar companies preying on customers’ lack of knowledge. The solar ecosystem here is filled with high-quality firms. But in light of the 60 cents per watt rebate for residential solar, perhaps this code of conduct is overdue or at least well-timed. These incentives can lure all kinds of solar players and we hope to consumers can feel confident choosing someone who’s a part of this code of conduct. We know that any time one person or company has a bad experience with a solar installer, it’s a detriment to all of us.
The Right Standards for Solar in NC
The NC Solar Code of Conduct was designed to provide each customer with the highest of standards. But where did these standards come from? NCSEA and its members reviewed codes of conduct from other states, including in particular South Carolina and California, to develop some initial proposals. Through meetings and conversations with its 27 solar installation and financing members, the group made refinements until the companies finally adopted it. Look at it for yourself and learn what it means to abide by the NC solar installers’ code.
by Jeff Aliotta | Oct 8, 2018 | Energy Storage, Renu Solar News
Mark Phillips has installed a rooftop electric system at home and greened his warehouse
future home of solar panels at the warehouse
OCTOBER 8, 2018 – HIGH POINT, NC – The signature wood and stone furnishings and sculptures from Phillips Collection stand out in any room. Owner Mark Phillips has recently received attention for a different distinction: He’s completed major energy efficiency retrofits to his 166,000-square-foot headquarters of the furniture wholesale business to demonstrate environmental responsibility. At an electric cooperative conference in Asheville where he was invited to speak, he explained the many energy-saving changes they’ve made, including:
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Removing all halogen bulbs from track lighting and replacing with articulated LED fixtures newly invented for this purpose that make use of existing track (in collaboration with ERD of Kernersville) eliminating the need for expensive rewiring, and reducing cooling needs and lighting cost. They even acquired a specialized bulb disposal machine for the job.
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Right-sized the incoming power transformers with help from ElectriCITIES, modifying the facility’s demand
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Put in 3 electric vehicle charging spaces outside offering free power for customers who can plug in
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Implementing a solar installation for the business
Furniture wholesale and design has long been a part of High Point’s culture and Mark’s company specializes in designing organic pieces that embrace natural materials. From mango and acacia tree roots to reclaimed teak, Phillips Collection sources sustainable materials and transforms them into prized conversation pieces. Mark acknowledges that his business depends largely on natural ecology and travels to Thailand to ensure that the next generation of arborists and carpenters are ready to continue a steady relationship with him and his team. On a recent visit he rallied a group of 400 — comprised of local students, teachers, factory workers, villagers and local officials — and together they planted 6,000 trees in a single day.
using less power, storing and showcasing the same great furniture designs
Phillips went solar at his home this month, and the business installation is scheduled for October. Renu Energy Solutions is providing both the residential and commercial installations. Combined they add up to 45 kiloWatts in total size, estimated to produce over 63,000 kiloWatt hours of solar power in its first year.
About his choice to go solar, he says: “My father always said the big decisions in life are obvious. This was one of those.” For Mark, addressing energy sustainability expresses his values, and at the same time he notes that he’s likely to come out ahead by betting that the cost of electricity isn’t going down. He says he committed to energy efficiency and solar at his business and home to save money and because, “it’s the right thing to do.”
Phillips Collection Owner Mark Phillips will be available to talk about his experience pursuing energy efficiency and green standards before and during this upcoming event.
Meet Mark Phillips during Phillips Collection’s Showroom Party (IHFC C-202) High Point Market
210 East Commerce Ave, 2nd Floor C-202, High Point, NC 27260
Saturday, October 13, 2018 beginning at 3 pm – event will be underway at 4 pm
by Jeff Aliotta | Oct 8, 2018 | Renu Solar News
We’re proud to announce we’ve received sonnen’s Brillance Award! Today, most energy customers in the Carolinas and our southeast region have at least a passing familiarity with the potential of home energy storage, also known as a backup battery. When paired with solar, your own energy storage system with battery banks, sophisticated configuration, and reporting integration means enhanced independence and self-sufficiency when an outage strikes. Even on normal days when utility electric service is on, more customers are keen to use their solar energy all the time including at night and storage lets you do that.
When all of us at Renu Energy Solutions began exploring high-level battery storage products two years ago, we weren’t sure how popular it would be. Today, the number of projects under our belt is adding up and we’ve just learned that our partners at sonnen are honoring us among their first year’s award winners for achievements in employing the company’s battery technology.
We’re speechless at being recognized and want to acknowledge that our leadership in this realm is thanks to our clients who have pursued these systems and our installer staff who have taken on extensive education and training to ensure quality.
“sonnen is proud to work alongside innovative companies around the country who represent a diverse array of functions… Partnerships with integrators, installers and service-providers have always been a crucial part of the sonnen mission,” said Blake Richetta, sonnen Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Subsidiary. “We’ve come to value our key partners even more as we expand into new markets, such as Latin America, and pioneer new industry categories, including energy automation. This is an exciting time for sonnen, these partners and the renewable energy sector as a whole, and we are thrilled to recognize others who are working diligently to forward the shared mission of making clean, reliable energy accessible to everyone.”
