In-depth guides, comparisons and how-tos for power stations, solar and backup power.
A home battery backup for power outage use, paired with the right inverter and switching equipment, is what keeps lights on when the grid goes down. A standard grid-tied inverter must shut off in an outage to protect utility workers, so many solar owners are surprised the first time their panels stop powering the house. […]
How many solar panels to charge a Tesla or other EV? For a typical driver doing about 12,000 miles a year, the answer is usually around 6 to 10 panels of 400W added to your home system. The exact number depends on how far you drive, how efficient the car is and how much sun […]
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 […]
Electrical terms like Voc, C-rate and split phase come up again and again when you shop for solar panels, batteries and inverters, and this glossary defines them the way the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Electrical Code use them. Bookmark it and come back whenever a spec sheet stops making sense. Each term […]
VA vs watts confuses a lot of inverter and UPS buyers, and inverter datasheets such as Victron Energy’s list both because they measure different limits: watts are real power that does work, while volt-amperes are apparent power, simply volts times amps. The ratio between them is the power factor. Here’s how to use both numbers […]
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 […]
Electrical safety on a DIY solar or battery project starts with de-energizing, locking out and testing before you touch anything, the core practice in OSHA’s electrical standards, with solar panels and batteries adding a twist: you often can’t simply turn the power off. Panels make voltage whenever light hits them, and batteries can deliver thousands […]
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 […]
MPPT vs PWM is the first choice you make on any battery-based solar system, and charge controller manuals from makers such as Victron Energy explain the difference: a PWM controller connects the panel straight to the battery, while an MPPT controller is a DC-DC converter that runs the panel at its best voltage and turns […]
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 […]
