Solar math, home battery reviews, and real payback numbers for US homeowners.
I’ve been installing solar systems across different states for 20 years, and the difference in return on investment from one state to another is staggering. California and Arizona might get all the attention, but they’re not always your best bet in 2026. The best states for solar in 2026 are Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode […]
I’ll be straight with you—winterizing your solar panel system comes down to three essentials: keeping panels clear of snow accumulation, protecting battery systems from temperature extremes, and monitoring voltage drops that kill winter production. After managing my Columbus, Ohio solar array through its first brutal winter, I learned these lessons the hard way when my
Back in September 2024, I spent three weeks straight researching solar inverters before pulling the trigger on my system. I lost sleep over it. String inverter or microinverters? Was spending an extra $2,400 on Enphase worth it? Would a cheap Chinese inverter blow up my house? Here’s what I wish someone had told me upfront:
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
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 installed or vetted. I’ve wired up more home battery systems than I can count at this point — everything from cheap portable stations to