From Mike

Solar math, home battery reviews, and real payback numbers for US homeowners.

Generac PWRcell vs Tesla Powerwall: Which Battery System Should You Buy?

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 […]

EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 Review: Is This the Future of Home Backup?

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

Jackery 2000 Plus Review: Real Numbers, No Hype

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

Solar EV Charging Setup: What It Saves You Monthly

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

Solar Panel Cleaning: DIY vs Pro, Real Cost Breakdown

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

CLEANPOWER 2026: What It Means for Home Solar Buyers

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

LiFePO4 vs Lithium-Ion: Which Is Safer for Home Backup?

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

Solar Panel Brands Ranked 2026: Who to Trust

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

Best Solar Generators 2026: Home Backup Power Ranked

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

Powerwall vs Enphase IQ Battery: Honest Comparison

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

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