ClearWatt Editorial Team
United States
The ClearWatt Editorial Team researches and writes every guide on this site. We work from primary sources — federal and state agencies (EIA, NREL, DSIRE, IRS), legislative text, utility rate schedules, and manufacturer documentation — rather than summarizing other websites' coverage of the same topic. We are not licensed solar installers, financial advisors, or tax preparers, and nothing published here is a substitute for advice from one. When a figure can't be traced to a specific, current source, we say so and give a range instead of a false-precision number. Articles are dated, and we correct confirmed errors promptly. See our Editorial Policy for the full standard every guide is held to, and About & Methodology for the sources we draw from.
Articles by ClearWatt Editorial Team
Special Situations
Selling a House With Leased Solar Panels: What to ExpectSelling a house with leased solar panels means transferring, buying out, or paying off the lease before closing. Here's how it works and what it costs.September 6, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels for a Flat Roof: What's Different, What It Costs, and What to CheckSolar panels flat roof installations use different racking, tilt angles, and permitting rules than pitched roofs. Here's what changes and what it costs.September 2, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels for Condo Owners: What's Actually Possible in 2026Solar panels for condo owners explained: rooftop rights, HOA and association rules, community solar, balcony solar, and 2026 tax credit status.August 26, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels and Historic District Rules: What Homeowners Can Actually DoSolar panels historic district rules vary by city, state, and designation type. Here's how local review boards decide and how to get panels approved.August 21, 2026
Costs & Savings
Solar Panel Maintenance Costs: What to Budget For Each YearSolar panel maintenance cost breakdown: cleaning, inspections, and inverter replacement, with real price ranges and what your warranty won't cover.August 9, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels for Mobile Homes: What's Possible, What It Costs, and What to Check FirstSolar panels for mobile homes are possible with the right roof or ground mount. Here's what to check before you buy, and what it costs in 2026.August 4, 2026
Costs & Savings
Solar Panel Payback Period: How to Calculate It With Your Own NumbersLearn the solar panel payback period formula, walk through a worked example, and see why payback got longer for everyone in 2026.August 3, 2026
Special Situations
HOA Solar Panel Rules: What Your Association Can and Can't RestrictState-by-state HOA solar rules with exact statute citations: cost caps, output caps, and approval deadlines in CA, TX, FL, AZ, CO, NC, VA, and MI.August 1, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels for a Cabin Off Grid: Sizing, Batteries, and CostsA practical guide to solar panels for cabin off grid living, covering system sizing, batteries, generators, and realistic cost ranges.July 31, 2026
How It Works
Solar Panel Efficiency Explained: What the Percentage Actually MeansSolar panel efficiency explained: what the % rating means, today's best panels (20-24%), the physics limit, and when higher efficiency is worth paying for.July 31, 2026
Special Situations
Community Solar Programs: How Renters and Non-Owners Can Access Solar SavingsCommunity solar programs let renters and homeowners without suitable roofs subscribe to a shared solar array and get credits on their electric bill.July 28, 2026
Special Situations
Solar Panels for a Small Roof: What's Possible and What to ExpectSolar panels for small roof homes are still viable with high-efficiency panels and smart layout. Here's what fits, what it costs, and what to check first.July 28, 2026
Incentives & Policy
State Solar Rebate Programs Still Funded in 2026 (And Which Ones Just Closed)A current-status tracker of state solar rebate programs in 2026: Illinois, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are open; Maryland and CT's original program closed.July 26, 2026
Incentives & Policy
Federal Solar Tax Credit 2026: What Changed and What You Can Still ClaimThe 30% residential solar tax credit ended Jan 1, 2026. Here's exactly what the law changed, who's affected, and what options remain.July 22, 2026
Battery Storage
Home Battery Storage 101: Do You Need One With Your Solar Panels?Home battery storage explained: what it costs, how long it lasts in an outage, and whether you actually need one with solar in 2026.July 22, 2026
How It Works
How Do Solar Panels Work? A Complete Guide for HomeownersHow do solar panels work? A clear, jargon-free guide to the photovoltaic effect, panel types, inverters, cloudy-day output, and panel lifespan.July 22, 2026
Costs & Savings
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2026? Full Price Breakdown by System SizeSolar panels cost $15,000-$36,000 before incentives in 2026, or about $2.50-$3.50 per watt. See prices by system size, state, and financing method.July 22, 2026
Incentives & Policy
Is Solar Still Worth It in 2026? (After the Federal Tax Credit Ended)The 30% federal solar tax credit expired Jan 1, 2026. Here's what actually still saves you money, and how to tell if solar pencils out for your home now.July 22, 2026
Buying Guide
Solar Loan vs. Lease vs. PPA: Which Financing Option Makes Sense in 2026?Solar loan vs lease vs PPA in 2026: who owns the system, who gets a tax credit, and how the math changed now that Section 25D has expired.July 22, 2026
Incentives & Policy
State Solar Incentives Guide 2026: How to Find What's Available Where You LiveState solar incentives vary widely and didn't end with the federal tax credit. Here's every incentive type to check and where to verify your state's rules.July 22, 2026
Battery Storage
Battery Backup vs. Generator for Home: Cost and Tradeoffs ComparedBattery backup vs generator for home compared on real 20-year costs, fuel use, noise, and maintenance using manufacturer and EnergySage data.July 21, 2026
Costs & Savings
Solar Panel Cost by Brand: Premium vs. Budget Equipment ComparedSolar panel brands cost comparison: how premium and budget panel pricing differs, what drives the gap, and why efficiency no longer predicts it.July 18, 2026
Battery Storage
Tesla Powerwall vs. Enphase vs. FranklinWH: Home Battery ComparisonTesla Powerwall vs Enphase vs FranklinWH compared on real capacity, power, warranty, and price using manufacturer datasheets.July 13, 2026
Costs & Savings
Cost Per Watt vs. Total System Cost: What Actually Determines Your Solar PriceSolar cost per watt explained: how to use $/W to compare quotes correctly, and why a low $/W number can still mean a higher total bill.July 10, 2026
Incentives & Policy
Net Metering Explained: How Solar Credits Work and Why They Vary by StateNet metering explained: how export credits work, why rates differ by state, and real examples from California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.July 3, 2026
How It Works
Bifacial Solar Panels Explained: Do They Make Sense for a Home Roof?Bifacial solar panels for residential roofs: how they work, realistic rooftop gains vs. utility-scale marketing numbers, and when they're worth it.June 28, 2026
Buying Guide
Solar Installer Red Flags: Warning Signs Federal and State Regulators Have DocumentedSolar installer red flags backed by real FTC, Treasury, CFPB, and state AG enforcement cases — the sales, contract, and financing patterns to watch for.June 25, 2026
Incentives & Policy
Solar Property Tax Exemptions by State: Which States Protect You From a Higher BillSolar property tax exemptions by state, with real statute citations for NY, NJ, TX, AZ, FL, and SC, plus which ones require filing a specific form.June 23, 2026
Buying Guide
Solar Financing With Bad Credit: What Actually Works, and What PACE Financing Really CostsSolar financing with bad credit: realistic loan credit ranges, why leases/PPAs aren't credit-check-free, and PACE financing's real risks and 2026 rule.June 17, 2026
Buying Guide
Solar Panel Warranties Explained: Product vs. Performance, and What They're Actually WorthSolar panel warranty explained: the real difference between product and performance coverage, manufacturer terms, and what happens if a maker exits.June 11, 2026
How It Works
String Inverters vs. Microinverters vs. Power OptimizersString inverter vs microinverter vs power optimizer: how each works, real efficiency numbers, and what current research says about shading performance.June 8, 2026
Buying Guide
How to Compare Solar Quotes: A Checklist Based on Federal Consumer Protection GuidanceHow to compare solar quotes using the FTC and Treasury's own consumer guidance: what every bid must include, and the red flags that mean walk away.June 5, 2026
Battery Storage
How Many Batteries Do You Need to Power a House?How many batteries to power a house, worked out with real EIA usage data and a step-by-step backup-time formula.May 28, 2026
Battery Storage
How Long Do Solar Batteries Last? Warranties vs. Real-World DataHow long do solar batteries last: manufacturer warranty terms compared against an independent NREL degradation study.May 27, 2026