EvenGreen Technology

There is a whole lot to love about Boise. It’s a beautiful city full of incredibly friendly people. It’s got enough culture and history to keep it interesting without the crush and congestion of a bigger city. It’s also got a whole lot of trees. Being the City of Trees, named for them even, that makes sense. However, it raises a question about the strategies for alternative and renewable energy management Boise residents are increasingly choosing—does solar energy make sense in Boise, considering the shade from all those trees, and in general? Why Boise Is Perfect for Solar Considering how terrific Idaho’s capital is, it’s no wonder that Boise is constantly landing on national lists (often among the top 10). In addition to the various “Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” and “Best Places to Raise a Family” sort of lists Boise makes, it’s also consistently included among the top 50 sunniest cities in the U.S. That’s obviously a big check in the “Pros” column for solar but it’s actua...

When solar power was first gaining traction as a home power solution here in Idaho, it was often thought of as a rural solution rather than a means to a more solar Meridian or Boise. At the time, that was a matter of necessity. Solar power systems were considerably more expensive to buy and install, and less efficient than they are today. For rural residents, it was still the option that made the most sense. Today, solar power is far less expensive and far more efficient. It is being increasingly adopted by suburban and urban residents to decrease their power bill and do their part for the environment. Those changes also mean that solar power is much more accessible for the people who can benefit the most from it: rural Idahoans, or residents of any rural region. Benefits of Rural Solar One of the chief benefits of a solar power system in rural areas is space. Rural areas simply have more of it. Unlike in the cities or even suburbs, rural homeowners are rarely hemmed in by nei...