Build Guides
Hands-on, step-by-step guides for homeowners who want to understand solar by building it. Start small, learn the fundamentals, then scale with confidence.
Start Building
System 1: 200W Starter System →
Build a standalone 200W solar system as a proof-of-concept investment. One panel, one charge controller, one battery — $300 to $500, one afternoon. No permits, no inspections. The minimum viable system that proves the technology with real equipment you can measure and monitor.
System 2: Permitted Standalone (3.2kW) →
The full code-compliant system with battery bank and inverter. Eight 400W panels, 5kWh LiFePO4 battery, 120V AC output. Requires a homeowner electrical permit and inspection — you do all the work yourself. One permit, two inspections, done.
Rate Calculator: Know What You Actually Pay →
Every solar decision starts with "how much am I paying for grid power?" The answer is buried in a stack of charges that vary by utility, season, and usage tier. Your "average rate" is wrong — here's why it matters and how to find the real number.
Recommended Progression
Learn the fundamentals with zero risk. Understand panels, charge controllers, and batteries from direct experience.
Know your actual electricity cost — the real number, not the average. This drives every ROI calculation.
Build the full system with permits, inspections, and code-compliant AC output. A genuine capital improvement.