Solar, batteries, backup power
Clean-energy decisions explained in plain language.
NerdVolt helps homeowners, small-business readers, installers, and energy-curious readers understand solar panels, batteries, inverters, critical loads, incentives, equipment tradeoffs, and clean-energy developments before money is spent.
Plain-language explanationsSafety-aware planningAssumptions shown clearly
Good planning order
Decide what the system must do before choosing equipment.
- Estimate the load, production, and runtime target.
- Separate critical loads from convenience loads.
- Compare panels, batteries, inverters, and charge controllers against real constraints.
- Check utility, tax, permit, safety, and manufacturer details before acting.
How to use NerdVolt
Pick the path that matches your question.
Calculators give a first estimate. Guides explain the equipment and safety tradeoffs. News explainers add context when policies, products, markets, or technologies change.
Start hereSolar, battery, backup, and wiring calculators.Solar, battery, backup-power, EV, payback, incentive, emissions, inverter, string-sizing, and wiring calculators with formulas and limitations explained.Start hereGuidesThe Guides library collects practical and research-based explainers for readers who want a clearer plan before talking with an installer, buying equipment, or troubleshooting a system.Start hereNewsNerdVolt news pages are written as explainers, not hype. Use them to understand what happened, whether the item is an announcement, proposal, pilot…Start hereReviewsNerdVolt review pages are written as buyer guides and specification comparisons unless a page clearly says hands-on evaluation was performed. Use them to…
Transparent tools
Calculators for first-pass planning
Use the numbers to compare scenarios, not to skip local checks. Each calculator explains the inputs, method, assumptions, and limits.
CalculatorSolar System Size CalculatorSizing note: This calculator converts energy use into a first-pass array size.CalculatorBattery Backup Runtime Calculator: Critical Loads, Usable kWh, and Inverter LossesRuntime note: Runtime is a planning estimate. Battery age, temperature, inverter losses, surge loads, reserve settings, and battery-management limits can shorten real outage time.CalculatorCritical Loads PlannerLoad-planning note: Critical-load planning is about priorities, not just arithmetic.CalculatorInverter Size Calculator: Continuous Watts, Surge Watts, and Battery LimitsInverter note: An inverter must match the system type, load profile, battery limits, surge requirements, output voltage, transfer equipment, and listing requirements.CalculatorSolar Payback & Savings CalculatorSavings note: Payback results depend on local rates, export credits, system cost, incentives, financing, production, maintenance, and future rule changes.CalculatorWire Voltage Drop CalculatorWiring note: Voltage-drop math is only one wiring check. Ampacity, insulation rating, terminal limits, conduit fill, overcurrent protection, wet locations, and local rules must…
Practical guides
Start with the decisions that shape the design.
These guides focus on sizing, troubleshooting, controller choice, backup loads, system type, and other choices that affect cost, safety, and reliability.
Practical guideOff-Grid Solar Troubleshooting Guide: Batteries, Inverters, Panels, and Charge ControllersSafety first: Off-grid solar systems can contain lethal DC and AC voltages even when utility power is absent.Practical guideHome Solar Microgrid Guide: Design, Batteries, Islanding, Costs, and PermitsImportant: A home microgrid touches utility interconnection, service equipment, transfer/islanding controls, batteries, and emergency backup loads.Practical guideMPPT vs PWM Solar Charge Controllers: Which Is Best for Your Battery System?Quick answer: MPPT controllers are usually the better choice for home, cabin, RV, and off-grid systems where panel voltage is higher than battery voltage or weather varies.Practical guideGrid-Tied vs Off-Grid Solar Systems: A Clear ComparisonAs solar energy becomes increasingly accessible and cost-effective, the choice between a grid-tied and an off-grid solar setup is one of the first—and most crucial—decisions…
Browse by topic
Find the right clean-energy question.
Each topic page introduces the question, shows useful starting points, and groups related articles so the library is easier to use.
TopicSolar PanelsStart here if you are comparing solar panels, roof layouts, mounting options, or production estimates. These guides explain panel ratings, real-world…TopicBatteriesUse this section when you need to compare batteries for backup power, off-grid use, self-consumption, or portable energy. The articles focus on usable…TopicHome PowerThis section is for readers planning backup power, critical-load panels, solar batteries, generators, or home microgrids. It explains what can realistically…TopicCosts & SavingsStart here before treating any savings number as final. These pages explain simple payback, export credits, utility rates, incentives, financing…TopicInstallationThis section helps readers understand the practical steps around solar and battery installation: permits, inspections, interconnection, roof condition…TopicNew TechNew clean-energy technology can be promising without being ready for every roof, battery room, or utility project. These explainers focus on what the…TopicPolicy UpdatesPolicy pages explain rule changes, proposals, incentives, tariffs, and program decisions in plain language. Treat them as starting points: eligibility…TopicReviewsNerdVolt review pages are written as buyer guides and specification comparisons unless a page clearly says hands-on evaluation was performed. Use them to…TopicMarket TrendsUse market explainers for project scale, adoption, pricing, and grid context, with the limits of each source stated clearly.TopicPortable PowerPlan mobile, cabin, marine, and remote power around loads, voltage, runtime, charging, and installation limits.