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 from hands-on experience.
All Articles
Guides, reviews, reference material, and troubleshooting.
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.
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 — from someone running one.
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 for your DIY solar system with real-world examples.
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.
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.
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.
Technical Reference
MC4 Connectors and Solar Wiring: Crimping, Tools, and Best Practices
How to crimp MC4 connectors correctly, which tools you actually need, wire types for outdoor solar runs, and why mixing connector brands causes failures.
Technical Reference
NEC Code Requirements for Residential Solar: A DIY Reference
NEC Article 690 explained in plain language — rapid shutdown, grounding, overcurrent protection, wire sizing, labeling, and what inspectors actually look for.
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.
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, price per kWh, and which to buy.
Reviews & Testing intermediate
Best MPPT Charge Controllers for Solar in 2026: Tested and Compared
Six MPPT charge controllers tested over 30 days. Real efficiency data, tracking speed, app quality, and top picks.
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.
Reviews & Testing beginner
Portable Power Stations vs DIY Solar: When Each Makes Sense
Portable power stations vs DIY solar — cost per kWh, 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, with multimeter readings at every step.
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-temperature, battery faults, ground faults — with step-by-step fixes for each.
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.