SunSavvy

Solar Guides

Straight answers on cost, savings, sizing and incentives — no sales pitch. 50 guides, all free.

Cost & savings

What solar actually costs, what it saves, and how to compare quotes fairly.

How Much Do Solar Panels Save Per Month? (Real Numbers)

A typical US solar home saves $100–$180 a month, but the range runs from $40 in cheap-power states to $400+ in Hawaii and California. Here's how to work out yours.

How Many Solar Panels for a 2,000 Sq Ft House? (And What It Costs)

A 2,000 sq ft US home typically needs a 7–9 kW system — about 18–23 panels, roughly $21,000–$27,000 before the tax credit. Here's why square footage is the wrong starting point.

Solar Panel Cost Per Watt: The Number That Compares Quotes

Cost per watt is the fairest way to compare solar quotes. Here's what a good price per watt looks like in 2026 and what's included.

Are Solar Batteries Worth It? Cost vs Benefit

Home solar batteries add backup power and can boost savings, but they're expensive. Here's when a battery pays off and when to skip it.

Is Solar Worth It in 2026? An Honest Breakdown

Solar isn't worth it for everyone. Here are the factors that actually decide whether home solar pays off — electricity rates, sun, incentives, net metering and roof.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2026? (Real Numbers)

A clear breakdown of what home solar panels actually cost in 2026 — price per watt, total system cost by size, what's included, and how incentives change the math.

Incentives & financing

The tax credit, net metering, rate plans and the four ways to pay.

How to Read Your Electric Bill (Before You Buy Solar)

Your bill holds the four numbers that decide whether solar pays: annual kWh, effective rate, fixed charges and rate plan. Here's how to find each one.

Time-of-Use Rates and Solar: How TOU Changes the Math

Most solar customers get moved onto a time-of-use plan. That shifts the best panel direction west, makes batteries pay, and can cut savings if you ignore it.

Solar Loan vs Cash: Which Actually Saves More?

Paying cash for solar saves the most, but a low-rate loan can still make sense. Here's how to compare a solar loan against cash — and the fees to watch.

How to Claim the Solar Tax Credit (IRS Form 5695)

A step-by-step walkthrough of claiming the federal solar tax credit on your taxes with IRS Form 5695 — who qualifies, what counts, and how carryover works.

What Is Net Metering? (And Why It Makes or Breaks Solar)

Net metering explained simply: how you get credit for solar power you export, why it hugely affects your savings, and what to check for your utility.

Solar Financing: Cash vs Loan vs Lease vs PPA

The four ways to pay for solar — cash, solar loan, lease and PPA — compared on cost, savings, ownership and who they suit best.

The Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC), Explained

What the federal solar tax credit is, how the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit worked, who qualifies, and why you must verify the current rules before you buy.

Equipment & how it works

Panels, inverters, batteries, efficiency and lifespan — in plain English.

Solar Panel Efficiency Explained (And Why It Matters Less Than You Think)

Modern panels run 19–23% efficient. Higher efficiency means fewer panels for the same output — it does not mean more electricity per dollar. Here's when to pay for it.

Solar Panel Recycling: What Happens After 25 Years?

About 95% of a solar panel by weight is recyclable glass, aluminium and silicon. Here's what end-of-life actually costs, who takes panels, and why most 25-year panels aren't waste.

Community Solar Explained: Solar Without Panels on Your Roof

Renters and people with unsuitable roofs can still go solar through community solar. Here's how it works, the savings, and what to watch for.

Microinverters vs String Inverters: Which Is Better?

The inverter choice affects shade performance, monitoring, cost and reliability. Here's how microinverters and string inverters compare for home solar.

Solar Panel Maintenance: What You Actually Need to Do

Solar panels are nearly maintenance-free. Here's what little upkeep they need, when cleaning helps, and what to monitor to protect your investment.

How Do Solar Panels Work? A Simple Explanation

A plain-English guide to how solar panels turn sunlight into electricity for your home, what the inverter does, and where the grid fits in.

Types of Solar Panels: Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline vs Thin-Film

The three main solar panel types compared on efficiency, cost, appearance and best use — so you can tell what a quote is actually offering.

Do Solar Panels Work in Winter and on Cloudy Days?

Yes — solar panels work in cold, cloudy and snowy weather, just at reduced output. Here's how much production drops and why cold can even help.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Lifespan & Degradation

Solar panels typically last 25–30+ years. Here's what warranties cover, how much output they lose over time, and what wears out first.

Solar Panels + an Electric Car: Do They Pay Off Together?

Charging an EV with solar can mean near-free driving. Here's how many extra panels you need and why solar and EVs are a natural pair.

Planning your install

Sizing, roof and orientation decisions, timelines, installers and red flags.

Best Direction and Angle for Solar Panels (By Latitude)

South-facing at a tilt roughly equal to your latitude is the production optimum in the US. But west-facing often earns more money. Here's when to break the rule.

Do I Need a New Roof Before Solar? (The 10-Year Rule)

Panels last 25–30 years. If your roof has under 10 years left, replace it first — removing and reinstalling an array later costs $1,500–$4,000. Here's how to decide.

Do Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage? (Usually Not — Here's Why)

A normal grid-tied solar system shuts off in a blackout, even in full sun. Here's the safety reason why, and the three ways to actually keep the lights on.

Ground Mount vs Roof Mount Solar: Cost, Output and Trade-offs

Ground mounts cost roughly 10–25% more per watt but produce more, avoid roof risk and are far easier to service. When the extra cost is worth it.

Off-Grid vs Grid-Tied Solar: Which Do You Actually Need?

Off-grid means no utility bill and no safety net — and typically 2–4× the cost. For 99% of homes with a utility connection, grid-tied or hybrid wins.

Selling a House With Solar Panels: Owned vs Leased

Owned solar usually adds resale value and helps a home sell faster. A lease or PPA has to be transferred or bought out — and that's where deals stall. Here's the playbook.

Solar Installation Timeline: Why It Takes 2–4 Months, Not 2 Days

The panels go up in a day or two. The permits, engineering, inspection and utility interconnection take the other 8–16 weeks. Here's every step and where it stalls.

Solar Scams and Red Flags: 12 Warning Signs Before You Sign

Door-to-door pressure, 'free solar', fake government programs and hidden dealer fees. The tactics that cost homeowners the most, and the questions that stop them.

How to Choose a Solar Installer (Checklist)

The installer matters as much as the panels. Here's how to vet solar installers, the red flags to avoid, and the exact questions to ask before signing.

Solar Panel Warranties Explained (Before You Sign)

The three warranties that matter for home solar — product, performance and workmanship — and the questions to ask an installer before you buy.

Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?

Owned solar panels typically add to a home's resale value and can help it sell faster. Here's what the evidence says and how leases complicate a sale.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Power My House?

Learn how to calculate the number of solar panels your home needs, based on your electricity use, local sun hours and panel wattage — with simple examples.

Is solar worth it in your state?

Rates, sun hours and net metering rules decide the answer — and they vary enormously.

See estimated solar cost for all 50 states →

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