Start here to learn solar basics the simple way. Understand how solar power works, the key terms (kW, kWh, PSH, PR), system types, and a safe planning checklist before you compare quotes.
Wondering how many solar panels you need? This homeowner-safe guide turns your electric bill (kWh) into a realistic panel count using peak sun hours (PSH), performance ratio (PR), and average panel wattage—then shows how to confirm it with PVWatts.
Performance Ratio (PR) is the easiest way to understand why real solar output is lower than “ideal” output. This guide explains PR in plain English, the core formula, typical ranges, what lowers PR, and how to use PR to sanity-check PVWatts and solar quotes.
A solar “true-up” is the annual settlement that reconciles your net metering credits and charges. This guide explains how true-up statements work, why you may still owe money, and what happens to unused solar credits (rollover, expiration, or payout at a different rate).
Solar panel efficiency is real—but it’s often misunderstood. This guide explains STC vs real-world conditions, temperature losses, and when higher-efficiency panels actually increase savings (and when they don’t).
PVWatts (by NREL) is one of the fastest ways to estimate how much electricity a solar system can produce in your location—especially when you want a reality check before signing a quote. This step-by-step guide shows exactly what to enter (system size, tilt, azimuth, losses), how to read the monthly results table, and how to avoid the most common input mistakes that make estimates look “too good to be true.”
An export limit is a cap on how much solar power you’re allowed to send to the grid. When that cap is active, your system may “curtail” output—even on a sunny day—so exports stay under the limit. This guide explains export limits in plain English, shows how to tell curtailment from clipping and shade using your monitoring app, and gives a copy/paste checklist to ask your installer (USA).
Your battery’s “Backup Reserve” (or “Reserve Capacity”) is the percentage it saves for outages. Set it too low and you may have short runtime when the grid fails; set it too high and you may leave savings on the table. This guide explains reserve in plain English, shows best starting settings by goal, and helps you compare quotes safely.
Battery quotes are confusing because backup depends on two things: power (kW) and energy (kWh). This guide gives you a simple, repeatable method to size a battery for critical loads, estimate runtime, and avoid the most common sizing mistakes—without risky DIY electrical work.
Solar quotes sometimes include “panel upgrade required.” This guide explains why (the 120% rule), when it’s truly necessary, and the common alternatives—so you can compare quotes safely and avoid surprise electrical costs.
Your solar app isn’t just “numbers”—it’s clues. This guide explains production vs consumption, grid import vs export, common graph shapes (clipping vs shade vs faults), and the #1 fix for confusion: matching your app’s date range to your utility bill.
