Solar system upgrades—expanding or improving existing installations—help homeowners increase production, add battery storage, or replace aging inverters. Many homeowners with older solar systems want to maximize returns by adding storage, upgrading to microinverters, or installing additional panels. This guide covers upgrade options, costs, and when upgrades make financial sense. Common Solar System Upgrades Battery storage: Read more »
Solar panel system design is both art and science. Professional installers use shading analysis, site surveys, electrical design, and performance modeling to create systems optimized for your property. Understanding how installers design systems helps you evaluate proposals and ask informed questions. This guide covers the design process, key considerations, and how to assess whether your Read more »
Solar myths persist despite falling prices and improving technology. Myths like “panels don’t work on cloudy days,” “solar requires batteries,” or “panels damage roofs” cost homeowners thousands in missed savings and delayed installations. This guide debunks 10+ common solar myths with facts and data. Myth 1: Solar Panels Don’t Work on Cloudy Days FALSE. Panels Read more »
The balance of system (BOS) refers to every component in a solar installation except the solar panels themselves. This includes the inverter, racking and mounting hardware, wiring, disconnect switches, charge controllers (for off-grid systems), monitoring equipment, and all structural and electrical components required to connect panels to the grid or battery bank. BOS components typically Read more »
Solar PV systems come in three main types: grid-tied (most common), off-grid (standalone with batteries), and hybrid (grid+battery). Each type has different costs, benefits, and use cases. This guide covers system types, performance characteristics, economics, and which type suits your situation best. Grid-Tied Systems Most common type. Panels connect to grid inverter; excess energy feeds Read more »
When you install solar panels, they generate power during daylight hours. But what happens when your panels produce more electricity than your home uses? Historically, homeowners simply let that excess power flow back to the utility grid. Today, most of the US has adopted net metering — a billing mechanism that credits your account when Read more »
Oversizing a solar system—installing more capacity than needed to cover 100% of annual consumption—can increase long-term returns if your utility offers favorable net metering. However, some utilities penalize overproduction, making right-sizing more important. This guide covers oversize analysis, economics, and when oversize makes sense. Oversize Economics With favorable net metering (full retail credits for excess), Read more »
Solar quotes are not created equal. Two installers might propose 5 kW systems on the same house with dramatically different equipment brands, labor structures, and final pricing. One might quote $3.00 per watt, another $4.50/watt. Without understanding what’s bundled into each quote — and knowing what industry-standard costs look like — you risk overpaying by Read more »
You’ve installed a solar battery to store daytime generation for evening use. But how long does it actually take to charge that battery from empty to full? The answer depends on three factors: battery capacity (in kilowatt-hours), your solar array size (in kilowatts), and the amount of available sunlight. A 10 kWh Powerwall paired with Read more »
Rooftop solar is the default for most homeowners, but it’s not the only option. Pole-mounted systems place an array on a single or multi-pole structure on the ground, typically 8-15 feet tall. For properties with unshaded acreage, roofs too old or weak to support panels, or roofs facing the wrong direction, pole mounting is a Read more »