SolarPowerNerd
New to Solar? Here's Where to Start
There's a lot of bad solar advice floating around online. We try to cut through it with real reviews and guides that actually help you make decisions.
Hey, welcome to Solar Power Nerd. This site started because solar is one of those topics where every search result is either a company trying to sell you a $30,000 roof installation or a blog post full of recycled specs from the manufacturer's website. Neither of those is very helpful when you just want to know which $60 garden light will actually last through winter.
We review solar products honestly, write guides in plain English, and try to answer the questions that real people actually have about solar power. Browse by category below, or scroll down if you already know what you're looking for.
What Are You Looking For?
We cover five areas. Pick the one that fits.
Solar Devices
Chargers, panels, power banks, generators, cameras. The hardware side of solar, reviewed for real-world performance instead of just specs on a box.
Browse Solar Devices →Solar Lighting
Pathway lights, security floods, string lights, lanterns, deck lights. We test brightness, battery life, and whether they actually stay on past midnight.
Browse Solar Lighting →Home
Pool heaters, garden fountains, kitchen gear, shades, irrigation pumps. The stuff that makes your house and yard run on sunlight instead of your electric bill.
Browse Home →Outdoors
RV kits, camping gear, van life setups, sun protection. Products built for people who spend time outside and need power that travels with them.
Browse Outdoors →Guides
How many panels do I need? Is solar worth it? What size system? Straight answers to the stuff people actually Google about solar power.
Browse Guides →Jump to a Common Question
These are the things people ask us about the most.
How many panels do I need?
Depends on your electricity usage. We walk through the math so you can figure out the right number for your house without calling a salesperson.
What does solar actually cost?
We break down a 10kW system piece by piece. The short version: it costs less than most people think, but the quotes you get will vary a lot.
Can I install panels myself?
You can, but there's a right order to do it in. Our 10-step guide covers mounting, wiring, and battery hookup from scratch.
Which solar charger is best?
We compared 16 power banks. Some barely trickle-charge in full sun. A few actually keep your phone alive on a weekend camping trip.
Why did my solar stop charging?
Usually it's one of about four things. We cover the most common reasons and what to check before you replace anything.
I just want to learn about solar
No specific product in mind? Our guides section covers how solar works, whether it's worth it, and what to know before you buy anything.
Where Most Readers Start
Our most-read pages. If you're short on time, these will get you up to speed fast.