Resources and Information
Solar Articles
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Recent Articles
SunWork Wins Sustainability Award
SunWork was selected by Sustainable San Mateo County to receive a 2017 Sustainability Award for its dedication to addressing sustainability issues. This award recognizes SunWork’s outstanding commitment to bringing sustainable
Net Energy Metering is Changing
The net energy metering program in California will likely change to a new program at the end of 2021. People considering solar systems for their homes will likely benefit by installing solar in 2021 with the current version of net energy metering (NEM 2.0)
Solar Power World Editors Volunteer on SunWork East Bay Project
Solar Power World interviewed SunWork in October for a podcast. They were so interested in the SunWork model that all three editors, Kathie Zipp, Kelly Pickerel and Kelsey Misbrener traveled to the Bay Area from Ohio to volunteer on a 5.2 kW solar system for an East Bay home owner in December.
Solar Tariff Explained
On February 7, 2018, a 30% tariff took effect on imported solar panels to the US from all countries. The stated reason for the tariff was to address the harm to American panel manufacturers caused by imports of cheap panels. Many solar advocates and organizations say this will not bring back manufacturing, will slow US solar growth, and will cost solar jobs overall.
Net Metering – How Utilities Pay You For Your Solar Energy
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid” according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Net Metering is short for Net Energy Metering (NEM). NEM basics: During the day, your solar system generates energy. When you’re away, most of your solar energy
Home Electrification
Home electrification is the process of switching from fossil fuel based electricity sources to renewable and carbon-free electricity sources. Once you go solar, making the switch to “all electric” is very cost effective since you’ll be producing your own electricity.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Software Tools
There are several online tools available to help you determine what kind of solar system size and design might work best for a given project.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
More Going Solar Resources
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Free Workshops

Join our free training to learn how to install solar energy systems. Then volunteer on solar energy projects in your community.
Learn the basics of installing rooftop solar energy systems by volunteering with SunWork. This 3-hour event teaches the basics of rooftop solar, solar equipment, electricity, and construction safety. This orientation is a great opportunity to learn about clean renewable energy.
Once you’ve completed this training, you are eligible to join us to install residential and nonprofit solar systems in your community. Volunteers work together with SunWork’s professional staff, attaching racking, running conduit, hanging inverters, and mounting the solar panels that make a solar system tick. Some of our volunteers leverage this experience toward a career in solar energy. Others plan to install solar on their own homes. Most volunteers enjoy supporting the expansion of clean renewable energy and helping provide solar energy for their communities. Please see our Bay Area and Central Coast web pages on sunwork.org for the communities we serve.
Requirements:
-This orientation session will be conducted online using Zoom. The session requires you to have access to a Smartphone, Tablet, or Computer with the Zoom App installed. Ideally, you will also have a camera available on your device.
-You must participate in the entire webinar at the time it is conducted (sorry, no time-shifting option.)
-You must be 18 or older to volunteer (or if 16 or 17, with parent or guardian permission.)