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…
Compare loans, leases, and PPAs—ownership, incentives, payments, savings, escalators, transfers, and batteries—to pick the best solar deal for your home. I’ve been in that awkward “analysis paralysis” spot with solar financing. I loved the idea of lower bills and clean energy, but the contracts? Dense. So I made myself a simple framework to compare solar…
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…
Clear 2025 guide to federal and state solar incentives: who qualifies, what costs count, how to claim, stack rebates, batteries, timing, and common pitfalls. TL;DR Snapshot (Skimmers, start here) Why this matters When I installed my first PV system, incentives were the difference between “maybe someday” and “let’s do this.” The tricky part wasn’t the…
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…
2025 solar costs explained: $/W ranges, ITC math, local incentives, battery adders, ROI, and soft-cost tricks—clear steps 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. In 2025, the total installed cost is a mix of…
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…
