"Getting to the Root of the Problem: A Guide to Invasive Plant Species" delves into the often-overlooked threat posed by invasive plants to our ecosystems. Through a partnership with MountainTrue, Sugar Hollow Solar presents a comprehensive exploration of common invasive species in Western North Carolina. From the aggressive Oriental Bittersweet to the thorny Multiflora Rose and pervasive Japanese Honeysuckle, readers gain insights into identification, removal techniques, and native alternatives. The blog emphasizes the importance of ecological restoration and offers practical steps for readers to take action in preserving local flora.

As winter inches closer, it begins to blanket the Southern Appalachian region with its chilly embrace, the warmth of community traditions, and festive lights begin to glow. At Sugar Hollow Solar, we cherish these moments that bind us to our local roots and celebrate the diverse array of holiday traditions.

Embrace the spirit of the Southern Appalachian holidays with eco-friendly decor ideas from Sugar Hollow Solar. From solar-powered lights to upcycled ornaments, discover sustainable traditions rooted in our heritage.

Check out a few tips for keeping holiday gift giving sustainable, local and exciting for your loved ones.

As the holiday season approaches and winter descends upon the Appalachian mountains, it's the perfect time to embrace the warmth and comfort of your home. Sugar Hollow Solar believes in combining festive cheer with sustainable energy practices. In this blog, we present five steps to make your home cozier, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible.

Discover 5 ways to lower your homes temperature and energy bills during the summer. With summer heat lingering longer and energy bills rising, it’s crucial to figure out how to keep your home cool and your bills low. Learn how regular maintenance, government rebates, tax incentives, home improvement opportunities, and renewable energy sources can help manage your power bills.

The world is full of solar misconceptions. We discuss and debunk a few of the most asked questions and myths regrading solar panels and battery backup.

For local residents interested in electric vehicles or seeking more information, there are several avenues available to learn more and stay connected.

Top 5 Reasons to get solar for your home. In Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, the abundance of sunlight combined with favorable tax incentives and environmental benefits make solar power a compelling choice for homeowners and businesses alike.

You might be surprised to discover that there are many options underneath the grand umbrella of building a green home, and we wanted to share those other considerations with you as well.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “carbon footprint” before, but have you ever stopped to figure out what, exactly, it is? Do you know your own household’s carbon footprint? By understanding your carbon footprint, you’ll be able to identify areas where your household can make the most significant improvements. If we were to all band together and collectively lower our carbon footprints, there’s no doubt that we would see positive climate changes worldwide.

If you’re seeing EVs all over right now, it makes sense. Electric cars may finally be having their moment — with a projected surge in 2021. Led overwhelmingly by Tesla, of course. But maybe you’ve also heard conflicting opinions about whether electric cars are actually a helpful solution for climate change or not. With that in mind, we wanted to share our thoughts on a question we’ve been hearing more and more as EVs gain popularity: are electric cars really better for the environment?

Do you seek out education and resources about sustainability and climate change? Spend time considering your part in working toward the future you envision? Are you always on the lookout for ways to support your local community and small businesses? Us, too. If you’re nodding along, this sustainability and climate change book list is for you.

The following seven sustainable living ideas will take various amounts of time or energy to get established, but after they’re up and running they’ll consistently work in the background to make your home and lifestyle more eco-friendly without any additional work on your end.

Sustainabiilty isn’t only about planting trees.

It’s about people, too. Which is just one reason we’re thankful for Just Economics, an Asheville-based nonprofit that advocates for economic justice in Western NC.

Whenever you research online, you see varying claims for solar savings.

They seem sensible. Or are they far-fetched?

It’s hard to find the truth.

Maybe you’ve even seen those ads claiming solar energy is free.

Before we dive into whether solar can save you money, we’ll clear up that tall tale: switching to solar is not free.

Nope. Never. Nice try, tricky advertisers.

Sigh.

Well, looks like we’ll all be staying home quite a bit. For a while.

Flattening the curve and all that.

But social distancing and avoiding crowds doesn’t need to mean throwing our (well-washed) hands up and doing nothing.

“Where does a homeowner start? How do I know what is the best alternative for my house?” Excellent question.