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Compare solar loan vs lease vs PPA options, see who owns the panels, who gets tax credits, and which deal delivers the biggest long-term savings. When I first started looking at rooftop solar, I thought the hardest part would be picking panels. Nope. The real headache was the contracts. Three companies came out. All three…

See the real costs of going solar—panel upgrades, R&R, permits, fees, financing traps, and policy risks—plus scripts and checklists to protect your budget. I love solar. But I’ve also seen “all-in” quotes turn into surprise invoices.When I helped a neighbor here in Hawaii compare bids, the cheapest proposal ballooned after the site visit: a main…

Panels, batteries, rates, VPPs, and permits—see what’s changing in solar over the next 5 years and how to plan a smart, resilient system. Hi, I’m Crazy Old Prepper. I live small, tinker constantly, and I’m building a micro homestead one practical project at a time. Here’s what I’m watching in solar over the next five…

Verify credentials, compare bids fairly, sanity-check savings, pick the right financing and gear, and avoid red flags. TL;DR for Skimmers Introduction: The quote that made me pause When I got my first solar quotes, the sales pitch was smooth. The numbers looked great. Then I asked for the license number and insurance cert—and the tone…

Last updated: January 2026 (rules change fast—bookmark this) Big 2026 headline: the federal residential solar/battery credit (IRC §25D, claimed on Form 5695) was repealed for “expenditures made after December 31, 2025.” In plain English: if your solar or battery installation is completed in 2026, you generally don’t get the federal residential credit.(You can still claim…

Boost solar efficiency with safe, simple cleaning. Learn when to wash, what tools to use, and how to track gains—without risking your roof or warranty. TL;DR Snapshot (Skim-Stopper) Why this matters (quick story) When I installed my first small PV array, I assumed tropical rain would keep it spotless. It didn’t. Pollen baked on. Salt…

See if solar pays off. Estimate payback from solar panel cost, rates, incentives, and net metering—plus when batteries help your ROI.. 1) TL;DR Snapshot (for skimmers) If your roof gets decent sun and you pay average-to-high electric rates, solar often pays for itself in 6–12 years, then keeps saving for decades. The biggest ROI swings…

2026 Update: 2025 Solar Costs Explained (and the fastest way to get your best quote) I remember the first time I priced out solar for my little homestead project. I thought the “panel price” was the price. Nope. By 2025, what you actually pay is a mix of hardware, design, permits, labor, and (if you…

Boost solar panel efficiency: cut heat, shade, and soiling, optimize tilt and MPPT, and use NOCT to set realistic output. Practical tips for real roofs. TL;DR Snapshot (for Skimmers) The Day My “Perfect” Array Underperformed I expected blue skies to deliver record watts. Instead, a warm June afternoon brought a dip right when the sun…

Get the best tilt and azimuth for your latitude. See when east/west wins, fixed vs seasonal tilt, and easy shading fixes to boost real-world output. Quick Story: My Roof Isn’t Perfect—Yours Doesn’t Have to Be When I first checked my roof pitch and azimuth angle, I groaned. Not quite true south orientation, a chimney that…

Do solar panels work at night? Learn what happens on cloudy days, how batteries bridge the gap, and why design choices boost low-light output and backup. My Rainy-Week Wake-Up Call A few winters ago, we had five straight days of rain. I opened my solar app, saw a sad little production curve, and thought, “Uh…

How long do solar panels last? See real-world lifespan, typical degradation, and warranty tips—plus simple maintenance to keep output strong for decades. Are my panels halfway done… or just getting warmed up? The moment I realized my array wasn’t “getting old,” just settling in, I was standing on the driveway with a hose, rinsing off…

Clear guide to grid-tied vs off-grid solar—costs, batteries, blackout backup, incentives, and sizing—so you can choose the best system for your home. Quick Story: The Day I Learned Panels Alone Don’t Keep Lights On When I installed my first small array, I pictured the lights glowing through any storm. Then the grid went down. My…

Solar panel system components explained in plain English—panels, inverters, batteries, safety, and monitoring—so you can choose the right setup confidently. Why I Finally Mapped My Whole System When I first looked into solar, I thought panels were the whole story. I pointed at a shiny black rectangle and said, “That. I need that.” Then I…