Solar panels can only generate electricity; they can’t store it, so you must pair them with a stand-alone battery bank or a power station. For home emergency power (for a few hours of power), we ...

Kicking your utility to the curb sounds like a great deal, but it's more difficult than it sounds. Here's what it takes to go off the grid with solar panels. CNET contributor Eric Mack knows all too ...

Most homes already have a smart meter that digitally communicates with the electric grid. If you're looking to get rooftop solar panels, a smart meter is an essential piece of equipment. Here's why.

Solar is no longer just a way to trim your utility bill; for many homeowners it is a serious contender to keep the lights on ...

Some simple physics makes it possible to power your home with sunshine. Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our ...

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that most solar systems stop working during an outage — even on sunny days. That’s why many people add a backup generator (or solar batteries) to make sure their ...

Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and ...

"If you can do this, why shouldn’t you be able to?" Officials propose policy that could launch plug-and-play solar panels ...

The state’s two largest utilities routinely drag their feet connecting solar panels to the electric grid, missing state-mandated deadlines as much as 73% of the time, according to a complaint filed to ...

Off-grid solar systems generate and store power wherever the sun shines, making them a great green update to your home. Today, lots of one-stop-shop companies offer all the equipment, warranties and ...