Solar buying guides & explainers
Independent guides for homeowners shopping for solar — written to cut through marketing noise, not generate leads.
Buying guide · 4 min read
Solar Warranties Decoded: Product, Power, Labor, and Workmanship
What each of the four overlapping warranties on a solar install actually covers, who pays when something fails, and which terms quietly turn a 'lifetime' guarantee into very little.
Buying guide · 3 min read
Solar Panel Brands Compared: Q Cells vs. Panasonic vs. REC vs. SunPower in 2026
A buyer-focused side-by-side of the major residential solar panel brands — efficiency, degradation curves, warranties, price tier, and who they fit best.
Financing · 4 min read
Solar Lease vs. PPA vs. Cash Purchase vs. Loan: Which Pays You Back?
A clear-eyed comparison of the four ways homeowners pay for solar — what you actually own, what happens when you sell the house, and which option leaves you with the most money over 20 years.
Policy · 3 min read
Net Metering by State: Where Residential Solar Pays Back Fastest in 2026
How each state's net metering rules — full retail vs. avoided cost vs. NEM 3.0-style tariffs — change the math on residential solar payback.
Product picks · 2 min read
Best Solar Walkway Lights of 2026: Path Lighting That Actually Lasts
Our picks for solar-powered path lights that survive real weather, real winters, and more than one season — based on lumens, battery type, and IP rating, not marketing copy.
Product picks · 2 min read
Best Solar String Lights for Backyards in 2026
Solar bulb lights, fairy lights, and globe lights compared — with notes on the brightness, battery life, and durability specs that actually matter for backyard use.
Product picks · 2 min read
Best Solar Motion Garden Lights for Security and Pathways in 2026
Motion-activated solar lights for driveways, side yards, and back gates — picks across the three real categories and what to look for in each.
Product picks · 2 min read
Best Portable Solar Panels for Camping and RVs in 2026
Our picks across the three real categories — briefcase folding panels for car camping, blanket-style panels for backpacking, and rigid panels for RV roof installs — with honest tradeoffs on each.
Buying guides · 4 min read
How to Read a Residential Solar Quote in 2026
Every line item that should be in a residential solar proposal — and the red flags that suggest you should walk away from a quote that's missing them.
Battery storage · 4 min read
Battery Storage Sizing: What Size Battery Do You Actually Need?
How to right-size a home battery for backup, time-of-use savings, or whole-home autonomy — without overspending.
Hiring guides · 4 min read
NABCEP Certification, Explained: Why It Matters When Hiring a Solar Installer
What NABCEP certification is, what each credential level means, and how to verify your installer actually has it.
Incentives · 4 min read
Residential Solar Incentives by State, 2026
Federal tax credit, state-level rebates, and net metering rules that change the math on residential solar — broken down state by state.
Buying guides · 5 min read
Off-Grid vs. Grid-Tied Solar: Which Is Right for You?
The real cost and lifestyle tradeoffs between off-grid solar, grid-tied solar with battery backup, and standard grid-tied — and how to pick.
Financial planning · 5 min read
What Is a Solar Payback Period — And Why Yours Might Be Different Than the Sales Pitch
How payback period is calculated, why installer pitches often understate it, and how to compute your own honest number.