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 […]

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally evaluated or researched thoroughly. Are Solar Roof Tiles Actually Worth It in 2026? If you’ve been researching solar roof tiles lately, you’re not alone. As a licensed

Before you get a solar quote, you need to know what your electric bill is actually telling you. A licensed electrician breaks down every number that matters.

What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Portable Solar Panel I’ve installed residential solar systems for over a decade, and I’ll tell you something the marketing copy won’t: portable solar panels are rated in ideal conditions that rarely exist in the real world. A “100W panel” in full, perpendicular sun at 77°F might

Solar Monitoring Systems: Best Apps and Devices 2026 If your solar panels have been up for a year and you’ve never looked at more than your monthly utility bill to gauge performance, you’re flying blind. A proper solar monitoring system is how you know whether your investment is actually doing what it’s supposed to do

A question that came up in a solar forum I follow recently: someone shared a Facebook ad for a “free solar” program and asked whether it was a scam. The answers ranged from “absolutely, run” to “it depends.” That kind of confusion is exactly what solar salespeople count on. So let’s talk about solar PPAs

Every few months a headline goes viral claiming that some new solar technology is about to make current panels obsolete. Usually it’s hype. But the recent wave of activity around perovskite solar cells is different — not because it’s ready for your roof today, but because understanding where it stands and what it actually means

The numbers are in, and they’re kind of remarkable: wind and solar together generated a record 17% of all US electricity in 2025. For solar specifically, the growth trajectory over the past five years has been steep enough that analysts who were calling “peak solar adoption” a few years ago are quietly revising their models.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I’ve been installing solar panels for over 15 years, and I can tell you that brand matters — a lot. The best solar panel brands consistently deliver on their efficiency ratings, honor their

How many solar panels does your home need? Mike’s step-by-step calculation shows exactly how to size your system based on your consumption and location.

Solar panels only help with electricity — but a heat pump can electrify your heating too. Mike shares his real numbers after pairing a cold-climate heat pump with his existing solar system.

You may have seen the headlines: residential solar installations are expected to drop 33% year-over-year in 2026 , according to Roth Capital Partners. Solar companies are struggling. Some installers…