Solar panels for a 2,000 sq ft house are sized by how many kWh you use per year and how much sun you get; square footage is only a rough guide. Here’s a worked example with typical numbers, so you can redo it with your own bill. Step 1: Estimate Usage for a 2,000 sq […]
The kWh meaning in your electricity bill is simple: a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts used for one hour, and understanding it is the first step in going solar. Your utility charges you for the kWh you use, plus some fixed charges. Solar can only offset the parts tied to kWh, so knowing how your […]
Knowing how to choose a solar installer matters more than picking a panel brand. The installer designs the system, pulls the permits, puts holes in your roof and stands behind the work for years. The FTC warns homeowners about high-pressure sales and misleading savings claims, so go in with a checklist and get at least […]
Solar panel cleaning can raise output, but how much depends on where you live. In rainy climates, regular rain keeps panels fairly clean, and losses from light dust are often small. In dry, dusty or agricultural areas, near highways, or under trees and birds, soiling can cost far more until someone cleans it off. Electrical […]
Roof mount vs ground mount solar is a trade-off between using space you already have and getting the ideal angle. Most US homes go on the roof because it’s cheaper and out of the way. A ground mount can make more energy per panel and avoids roof penetrations, but it needs land and trenching. Electrical […]
A ground mount solar DIY build is one of the most practical ways to install your own solar. You stay off the roof, you can set the perfect tilt, and the array is easy to clean. The work is mostly carpentry, concrete and trenching, plus electrical work that must meet NEC Article 690 and pass […]
A solar interconnection agreement is the contract between you and your utility that lets your system connect to the grid. Along with the local building and electrical permits, it’s the paperwork that most often slows a solar project down. Knowing what each step involves helps you spot an installer who isn’t keeping things moving. Electrical […]
The solar installation process step by step takes most homeowners anywhere from about one to four months, even though the panels often go on the roof in a day or two. Most of the time goes into design, permits, inspection and utility approval. Here’s what happens at each stage, from first quote to the day […]
Solar loan rates advertised at 1.99% or 3.99% can look better than any mortgage. The catch is usually a dealer fee: a charge the lender takes from the installer, which gets built into your system price. A low rate on an inflated price can cost more than a normal rate on a cash price. How […]
A DIY home solar system can cut the cost of going solar significantly, because labor, sales and overhead are a large part of an installer’s price. In most US jurisdictions homeowners are allowed to pull their own permits for work on their own home. But grid-tied solar involves roof work, high-voltage DC, the main panel […]
