Solar Blog

Clear, data-backed guides to help you go solar with confidence.

• How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? A Simple 2026 Guide

  A step-by-step guide to sizing a home solar system from your electricity bill, including a worked example and the role of sun hours.

  2026-01-15 · 6 min read

• Solar Payback Period Explained (With Real Numbers)

  What solar payback period means, how to calculate it, and the typical range for US homeowners now that the federal tax credit has ended.

  2026-02-10 · 5 min read

• Time-of-Use Rates and Solar: What Changed and Why It Matters

  TOU electricity rates are now the default for millions of US solar owners. Here is how they work, how they change solar economics, and when a battery actually pays off.

  2026-03-15 · 7 min read

• Is Solar Still Worth It in 2026? The Honest Answer.

  Is home solar still worth it after the federal credit ended? Compare 2026 costs, remaining incentives, electricity rates, savings, and payback factors.

  2026-04-01 · 8 min read

• How to Compare Solar Quotes: The Only 5 Numbers That Matter

  Most homeowners compare solar quotes wrong — focusing on monthly payment instead of total value. Here are the five numbers that actually determine which quote wins.

  2026-05-01 · 6 min read

• How Much Home Battery Backup Do You Need?

  Size home battery backup appliance by appliance using realistic wattage, daily energy, surge power, usable capacity, and outage runtime estimates.

  2026-05-15 · 7 min read

• Solar Shading Loss: Trees, Roof Obstacles & Inverters

  Learn how trees and roof obstacles reduce solar output, how to estimate shading loss, and when microinverters or power optimizers may help.

  2026-05-20 · 6 min read

• Heat Pump + Solar: Sizing, Costs & Savings (2026)

  Learn how to size solar for a heat pump replacing gas, oil, or propane heating, including climate, COP, electricity use, costs, and payback.

  2026-06-01 · 8 min read

• How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Lifespan & Degradation

  Solar panels commonly carry 25-year production warranties and may operate longer. See research on lifespan, degradation, failures, and replacement timing.

  2026-06-05 · 6 min read

• Solar Panel Degradation Rate & 25-Year Savings

  Solar panels lose output gradually over time. Here is exactly how degradation affects your 25-year savings projections and which panels degrade slowest.

  2026-06-08 · 5 min read

• Community Solar vs Rooftop Solar: Which Is Right for You?

  Compare community solar and rooftop solar on eligibility, upfront cost, bill savings, contracts, maintenance, risk, flexibility, and moving homes.

  2026-06-10 · 7 min read

• Solar for Renters: 5 Options Without a Rooftop

  You do not need to own a home to benefit from solar. Here are five real options for renters and apartment dwellers to reduce electricity bills with solar in 2026.

  2026-06-12 · 6 min read

• Net Metering by State (2026): Export Credit Guide

  Compare 2026 net metering and solar export-credit approaches by state, including full retail credit, net billing, and avoided-cost compensation.

  2026-06-15 · 8 min read