Guides
DIY solar guides
Plain-English education on off-grid and DIY solar. Written for people who want to understand the math themselves rather than trust a salesperson. No marketing fluff, no affiliate-driven recommendations.
Off-grid solar basics: what you actually need
The 4 components, how they work together, what each one does, and the order to buy them in.
MPPT vs PWM charge controllers: when each makes sense
MPPT isn't always better. The actual cases where PWM is the smarter choice, and where MPPT pays for itself in months.
Sizing your solar system: the honest math
Daily watt-hours, peak sun hours, depth of discharge, autonomy days. Worked examples for van, cabin, and tiny home setups.
Battery chemistry comparison: LFP vs AGM vs flooded vs NMC
Honest comparison of the four DIY solar battery chemistries. Cost per kWh, cycle life, temperature tolerance, and where each one wins.
Inverter selection guide: pure sine, sizing, and surge math
How to pick the right inverter. Sizing for continuous vs surge loads, hybrid vs standalone, and the brands worth buying in 2026.
12V vs 24V vs 48V: picking your DC bus voltage
How to choose the right DC bus voltage. Wire gauge math, component selection, topology diagrams. When each voltage actually wins.
NEC 690 for DIY solar builders
Plain-English primer on Article 690. Voc derating, ampacity, overcurrent protection, rapid shutdown, disconnects — what each rule actually means.
Grid-tie vs off-grid vs hybrid: picking your architecture
The cost, permitting, and resilience tradeoffs of the three system architectures. Why hybrid is the 2026 default for grid-connected homes.
Winterizing your DIY solar system
Cold-Voc spike math, LiFePO4 charging limits, snow load, generator backup. What actually fails in winter and how to design around it.
DIY solar permits by state
Homeowner-vs-electrician rules, NEC version by state, utility interconnection timelines, AHJ gotchas. The procedural guide that demystifies permits.
Used & wholesale solar panels
When used panels at $0.20/W beat new at $0.60/W (and when they don't). The sources Will Prowse and the DIY off-grid community actually point to.