Solar math, home battery reviews, and real payback numbers for US homeowners.
After I went solar myself in 2019, I started getting the same question from neighbors at least once a week: “Could you just cut the cord entirely and go off-grid?” My honest answer? You probably could, but you probably shouldn’t. I’ve been tracking every kilowatt-hour my system generates for six months now. I’ve run the […]
Since installing my 8.5kW solar array in October 2024, I’ve fielded the same two questions from neighbors more than any others: “Which battery did you go with?” and “Should I get a Powerwall or that Generac one?” I’m Mike, a 44-year-old homeowner in Columbus, Ohio with 20 years as a licensed electrician. I track every
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally researched and believe are worth your consideration. — Mike I went solar myself in 2019 and immediately started obsessing over one thing the installer
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d actually put on my own house — and given I went solar myself in 2019, I’ve done this homework for real. When I had solar installed
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Quick Take: Who Is the Jackery 2000 Plus Built For? I’ve wired more panels and battery systems than I can count, so
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d use on my own installs. I’ve been wiring up solar systems for 15 years, and nothing has changed the math on residential solar faster than
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Every week I get calls from homeowners asking whether they actually need to clean their solar panels — and if so, how often and whether to do it themselves or hire a professional. After
If you’ve been paying attention to the solar and battery storage world, you’ve probably heard the buzz around CLEANPOWER 2026. It’s the biggest clean energy event in the country, and this year it’s landing in Houston from June 1–4. I’ve been in the electrical and solar installation game long enough to know which trade shows
I’ve pulled wire in attics in July, climbed roofs in January sleet, and watched panels from a half-dozen manufacturers perform — or fail — over the years. When homeowners ask me which solar panel brand they should buy, my honest answer is: it depends, but brand matters more than most salespeople will tell you. Panel
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. If you’re looking for the best solar generators for home backup, you’ve got more good options than ever in 2026 — and more confusing marketing claims than ever too. As a licensed electrician who’s
A licensed electrician’s complete guide to LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries for home solar systems — covering cycle life, BMS, brand comparisons, and the cold-weather issue nobody warns you about.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve personally evaluated or installed. I’ve been installing home battery systems since the first Powerwall hit the market, and the question I get more