Build Guides beginner
How to Size a Solar Battery Bank: LiFePO4 Sizing Guide
Size a LiFePO4 solar battery bank correctly: formula, worked examples for 2, 5, and 20 kWh/day loads, DoD, inverter efficiency, and voltage choice.
All Articles
Guides, reviews, reference material, and troubleshooting.
Build Guides intermediate
Off-Grid Solar System Sizing: Complete Cabin & Homestead Guide
Size an off-grid cabin or homestead solar system step by step using worst-month sun hours, 3-5 day autonomy, and a real 0.70 derate factor.
Build Guides beginner
How to Size Solar Panels for Your Home: Complete DIY Guide
Size your solar panel array in minutes using the PVWatts 14.08% loss model, peak sun hours, and real 2026 component prices — 3 worked examples.
Technical Reference
Solar Fuses and Breakers: NEC Overcurrent Protection Guide
NEC 690.8/690.9 overcurrent protection explained: the 156% sizing rule, Class T fuses, MRBF, DC breakers, and fuse sizes for every part of a DIY solar system.
Reviews & Testing intermediate
Best All-in-One Solar Inverters 2026: Hybrid Inverter Review
Six hybrid inverters compared: EG4 6000XP at $1,500 beats Sol-Ark 15K and Victron on value for most DIY solar builders in 2026.
Build Guides intermediate
How to Build a DIY LiFePO4 Battery Bank: Complete Guide
Step-by-step guide to building a LiFePO4 battery bank for solar — cell selection, BMS wiring, fusing, and safety. Save 30-50% over pre-built batteries.
Build Guides beginner
Getting Started with DIY Solar: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know before building your first DIY solar system — from panel selection to battery sizing. Save $5,000+ vs. professional install.
Build Guides advanced
Grid-Tied Solar with Battery Backup: What You Need to Know
How hybrid solar systems work, what they cost, and where DIY ends and an electrician begins. Real costs from a running system in Rhode Island.
Build Guides intermediate
How to Size and Install an MPPT Charge Controller
Step-by-step guide to sizing, installing, and programming an MPPT charge controller — cold-weather Voc math and LiFePO4 settings included.
Build Guides intermediate
DIY Solar for Your RV or Van: A Complete Build Guide
Plan and install a mobile solar system for your van or RV — panel selection, battery sizing, wiring, and shore power integration. Full Transit build example.
Build Guides beginner
Solar Panel Wiring: Series vs Parallel vs Series-Parallel Explained
When to wire solar panels in series, parallel, or series-parallel — with real voltage/current math and shade impact analysis for MPPT systems.
Technical Reference
Understanding the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) in 2026
How the federal solar Investment Tax Credit works in 2026, what qualifies for DIY systems, and how to claim it on Form 5695. Save $3,000+ on a typical build.
Technical Reference
MC4 Connectors and Solar Wiring: Crimping, Tools, and Best Practices
How to crimp MC4 connectors correctly, which tools you need, wire types for outdoor solar runs, and why mixing connector brands causes failures and fires.
Technical Reference
NEC Code Requirements for Residential Solar: A DIY Reference
NEC Article 690 in plain language — rapid shutdown, grounding, overcurrent protection, wire sizing, and what inspectors actually check.
Technical Reference
Solar Wire Gauge Chart: Complete AWG Reference for 12V, 24V, and 48V Systems
AWG wire sizing tables for 12V, 24V, and 48V solar systems. NEC ampacity ratings, voltage drop calculations, and derating factors for every common scenario.
Reviews & Testing beginner
Best LiFePO4 Batteries for Solar in 2026: Tested and Compared
Hands-on comparison of 6 popular LiFePO4 batteries for DIY solar — real capacity tests, BMS features, and price per kWh from $78 to $331/kWh.
Reviews & Testing intermediate
Best MPPT Charge Controllers for Solar in 2026: Tested and Compared
Six MPPT charge controllers tested over 30 days with real efficiency data. Victron 150/35 wins overall; EPEver 4215BN is the best budget pick.
Reviews & Testing intermediate
EG4 6000XP Hybrid Inverter Review: 18 Months of Real-World Data
After 18 months running an EG4 6000XP daily, here's what works, what doesn't, and whether it's worth $1,500 for DIY solar. 94.2% measured efficiency.
Reviews & Testing beginner
Portable Power Stations vs DIY Solar: When Each Makes Sense
Portable power stations vs DIY solar — cost per kWh ($400-650 vs $100-250), use cases, expandability, and when each option makes sense for your situation.
Troubleshooting beginner
Battery Not Charging from Solar: Step-by-Step Diagnostic Guide
Systematic troubleshooting when your solar panels aren't charging your batteries — from sunlight basics to BMS lockouts. 9 out of 10 fixes are simple.
Troubleshooting intermediate
Inverter Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
Decode common error codes on EG4, Growatt, and Victron inverters — overload, over-temp, battery faults, ground faults with step-by-step fixes.
Troubleshooting beginner
Solar Panels Not Producing Expected Output? A Diagnostic Guide
Step-by-step troubleshooting for underperforming solar panels — from obvious checks to advanced diagnostics with a multimeter. 70% of issues are expectations.