Top 10 Solar Blogs to Follow
There’s no way around the fact that sustainable development is needed in order to create a greener, healthier environment. Although solar energy has many advantages and is one of the most beneficial and effective types of renewable energy, not enough people are aware of this.
Fortunately, there are many bloggers out there who are dedicated to raising awareness about the personal benefits of solar panels as well as their valuable contribution to the environment and society.
GreenMatch has created the Top 10 Solar Blogs to Follow in order to honour the hard work and dedication of these bloggers. Congratulations to our nominees who all contribute to a more sustainable society by sharing top-notch, inspiring content about solar energy!
The nominees may place our badge on their blog by using the embed code below.
All the blogs that are nominated below are committed to making the world a better and greener place by creating valuable content about solar energy and other sustainable solutions. The nominees are ranked based on their total scores, starting with this year’s winner: SunPower!
Do you know an outstanding solar blog which hasn’t been included in our research? Feel free to send us an email at [email protected]!
01of 10SunPower
SunPower ended up with a total score of 465 out of 600 and thereby came out as the number one solar blog to follow in 2019. They also ended up with the highest score on Social Media Popularity, with 41.82 points out of 100. Besides providing high-quality solar products, SunPower is committed to raising awareness about solar energy through their blog by covering topics in the following categories: Solar Technology, Giving Back, Company, Going Solar, Powering the World, Solar Policy, and Being Green & Saving Green. They publish approximately three times a month and are active on various social media platforms.
Since 1985, SunPower has been leading global solar innovation. SunPower solar panels consistently deliver more energy and long-term peace of mind with the highest performing solar power systems available. SunPower is the solar energy choice of more homeowners and businesses around the world.It's true that all solar produces clean energy, but SunPower doesn't stop there. We raise the bar for environmental and social sustainability through our "Beneficial by Design" philosophy that aims to be a regenerative force on the environment and society.
Our favourite post: Public Lands, Clean Air: Take Action to Improve National Park Air
02of 10Wholesale Solar
The second place is going to Wholesale Solar who scored 458 points out of 600. They also have one of the highest readability scores, coming in second with a score of 67.38. Wholesale Solar started off with a family that wanted to live independently and build their own solar-powered home. Wholesale Solar has grown from its family-owned beginnings to a 100% employee-owned business with more than 50 employees. On their blog, they cover many different topics within the solar industry, thereby providing the reader with a wide variety of in-depth information. Categories which can be found on Wholesale Solar’s blog are: Industry News, Company News, Customer Case Studies, Tax Credits & Incentives, and product-related posts. The blog is updated quite frequently with approximately six publications a month.
We built our solar-powered home on a shoestring budget, but in the end we had a super energy-efficient home that was warm in winter (where it can get 10-15 degrees below zero), and cool in summer. We had plenty of room and plenty of power for gadgets and appliances. We felt rich, blessed. But the real wealth was independence. We've been lucky to work for ourselves, towards our own goals.
Our favourite post: Generator Sizing Guide for Off-Grid Solar Systems
03of 10Pick My Solar
Pick My Solar ended up third with a total score of 450 out of 600 and a 100% score on four of the six main indicators as well as the highest score for visual content. Pick My Solar is an online solar marketplace that simplifies the solar purchasing process. Even though they entered the solar industry with the dream of putting panels on every rooftop in America, Max and Chris soon realised that customer uncertainty around the bidding and purchase process is a major obstacle to industry growth. They, therefore, made it their mission to simplify the process, drive down costs, and provide the consumer advocacy necessary for solar to achieve broad market success. Pick My Solar’s blog covers topics about News, Energy Technology, Project Tips and Guides, and Local Updates. Their blog is updated one to six times a month.
Our mission is to empower communities to adopt sustainable technologies through transparency and choice. To boost solar adoption, we understood it is important to educate people on the recent trends in the solar industry. Through our blog, we wanted to address frequent concerns, cover recent technological advancements and break the information into a much simpler language understood by an average homeowner. We discovered that our blog has helped us to achieve our mission to encourage and empower people to adopt sustainable technology.
Our favourite post: Better Looking Solar Panels: An Aesthetics Comparison
04of 10Sunrun
Coming in fourth is Sunrun with a total score of 436 out of 600. Sunrun aims at creating a more sustainable world by making solar simple for their customers. Their goal is to create a planet which is run by the sun. Their blog covers several topics including Company News, and Solar Energy Tips and Guides, and is updated once a month on average.
Freedom. Simplicity. Sustainability. After 10 years, Sunrun is still a steadfast believer in the power of the sun, and we aren’t alone. Continued, growing demand for our products and services proves that more and more Americans want better energy options. Our mission is simple – create a planet run by the sun.
Our favourite post: Battery Technology Is Changing the Way We Store and Use Energy
05of 10Solar Power Rocks
With a total score of 426 out of 600, the fifth place goes to Solar Power Rocks. Solar Power Rocks is on a mission to turn their customers’ solar power dreams into reality. They are committed to giving homeowners a clear picture of policies, incentives, and investment returns on residential solar panel installations. Their blogging section includes categories such as News, Energy Technology, Project Tips and Guides, and Local Updates, and is updated about two times a month.
We are doing our best to change the perceptions of legislators, decision makers, homeowners, and business-owners alike to get more solar technology on roofs. Our activities include educating our readers about their local subsidies and solar related legislation, as well as connecting them to solar installers in their areas to make their dream of renewable energy a reality.
Our favourite post: How Much Electricity Does a Solar Panel Produce?
The Smart Electric Power Alliance, also known as SEPA, ended up on a sixth place with an overall score of 423 out of 600. The Smart Electric Power Alliance, also known as SEPA, is a non-profit organisation which envisions a carbon-free world by 2050. They are on a mission to “facilitate the electric power industry’s smart transition to a clean and modern energy future through education, research, standards, and collaboration”. SEPA’s blog is updated two to six times a month and covers the following topics: Customer Solution & Marketing, Markets & Finance, Power Markets, Rates & Regulations, Strategy & Planning, Technology & Infrastructure.
At the Smart Electric Power Alliance, we envision a carbon-free energy system by 2050. We aim to facilitate the smart transition to a clean and modern energy future through education, research, standards, and collaboration. The SEPApower blog is one of many avenues that we use to share industry leading content and perspectives that move this important conversation forward. In addition to solar, our blog content focuses on our four pathways: Grid Integration, Regulatory Innovation, Utility Business Models and Transportation Electrification.
Our favourite post: How I Became a More Engaged Utility Customer
07of 10SolarPower Europe
With a score of 400 out of 600, the seventh place goes to SolarPower Europe. SolarPower Europe is a member-led association which aims at ensuring that more energy is generated by solar than any other energy source by 2030. Their vision is to “lead their members to make solar the core of a smart, sustainable and inclusive energy system”. SolarPower Europe’s blogging section is divided into Industry News, Company News, and Local Updates, and is updated one to four times a month.
SolarPower Europe is a member-led association representing organisations active along the whole value chain. Our aim is to shape the regulatory environment and enhance business opportunities for solar power in Europe.
Our favourite post: Solar Is a Key Climate Solution
08of 10The Energy Miser
The eight place goes to The Energy Miser, a blog focused on homes and energy from New England Clean Energy. The blog ended up with an overall score of 373 out of 600 and covers several topics including Company News, Energy Education, Solar Education and Tips, Policies & Regulations, and is updated one to four times a month. The blog also ended up with the highest readability score as they got 70.96 out of 100 points.
I started writing The Energy Miser in 2011 because I like to analyze energy issues and pontificate about my findings.
Our favourite post: Wow, I’ve Got Solar so Why is My Bill so High? Seasonal Impacts
With an overall score of 367 out of 600, the ninth place goes to The American Solar Energy Society, also known as ASES, which is a non-profit organisation. Their vision is to ”lead the transformation to 100% renewable energy and sustainable living for all life on earth”. They are the US section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) which shares information, events, and resources to cultivate community and induce progress around the world. ASES’ blog is updated one to five times a month and covers Solar Technology, World Energy News, Community, Lifestyles, and Business News.
ASES is unique in its integrated perspectives of science, industry, policy and citizens. We believe knowledge and community are a powerful combination for change. Through trusted, well-researched content and comprehensive, thoughtful perspectives, we continue to nurture a transition to a more sustainable world.
Our favourite post: Immediate Personal Actions to Address Climate Change
10of 10Sol-Up
Finally, coming in tenth, Sol-Up received an overall score of 361 out of 600 points. Sol-Up differentiates itself from other solar power companies in the area of Las Vegas by giving potential clients the opportunity to come and see solar panels and technologies up close in their showroom. This way, the customer can learn about the potential benefits of solar energy. Sol-Up’s goal is to “make the west coast the solar capital of the world”. Their blogging section is updated one to five times a month and covers the following topics: Company News, Business News, Energy Efficiency, Green Living, and Solar Rebates.
Because solar power is so beneficial to people and the environment, Sol-Up will continue to strive to make Nevada, California, and the surrounding area a solar power generated community. We envision the city of lights being run off of clean solar energy. This would be a magnificent example to all other areas of the world.
Our favourite post: 6 Top Renewable Energy Trends To Watch In 2019
Congratulations once again to all the nominees and participants! If you have any questions regarding the scope of our research, or if you know any great solar blogs which we have missed, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Methodology
The first step in our research was to create a list of noteworthy solar panel blogs. We listed thirty solar blogs which we found through in-depth desk research.
In order to conduct our comprehensive research, we have looked into each blog’s content engagement and web experience. These two sections have then been divided into six main indicators and several sub-indicators.
In order to determine the blogs’ content engagement we have looked closely at their visual content, the readability of the articles, whether the content is unique, and how popular the blog is on social media.
The web experience is based on the mobile friendliness of the blog’s individual pages and user experience. The latter has been further divided into further criteria such as user control and responsiveness. The specific data for each indicator can be found in the dataset down below.
Rationale
In order to create a comprehensive list of the best solar blogs to follow in 2019, GreenMatch has ranked the six main indicators based on a score from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best result and 0 the worst.
The scores for visual content, unique content, mobile friendliness. and user experience have been based on a yes/no weighted scoring system. This means that for each sub-indicator’s ‘yes’, the blog has received points. This has lead to the following formula:
score = ( number of ‘yes’ ) / ( number of indicators ) × 100
The two remaining indicators, readability and social media popularity, have been calculated in different ways. The readability has been calculated through an online readability checker, whereas social media popularity has been calculated with the help of a minimum−maximum normalisation formula:
zi = ( yi - min(y) ) / ( max(y) - min(y) )
Finally, in order to estimate each blog’s total score, the different scores of the six indicators have been combined. This has lead to an overview of the blogs’ scores ranking between 0 and 100. Consequently, the ten blogs with the highest scores have been nominated for our award.
Best Solar Blogs in 2019 Badge
The nominees are welcome to use our badge on their website with the embed code:
We strive to connect our customers with the right product and supplier. Would you like to be part of GreenMatch?
