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 hereGuidesPractical solar, battery, inverter, wiring, installation, and clean-energy guides written for planning decisions.Start hereNewsClean-energy news explainers that summarize what changed, who may be affected, and what readers should verify before acting.Start hereReviewsResearch-based reviews and buyer guides that explain fit, specifications, safety, compatibility, warranty, and tradeoffs.
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 CalculatorEstimate solar array size from electricity use, target offset, panel wattage, and local production assumptions.CalculatorBattery Backup Runtime CalculatorEstimate how long a battery may run selected critical loads during an outage, with inverter losses and usable capacity in view.CalculatorCritical Loads PlannerBuild a critical-load list for backup power by separating essential circuits from high-demand convenience loads.CalculatorInverter Size CalculatorEstimate inverter size for solar, battery, backup, and off-grid systems while accounting for continuous and surge power.CalculatorSolar Payback & Savings CalculatorEstimate simple solar payback while testing conservative assumptions for cost, production, incentives, export credits, and rates.CalculatorWire Voltage Drop CalculatorEstimate voltage drop, percentage drop, and power loss for copper or aluminum conductors in solar and electrical circuits.
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 ControllersDiagnose off-grid solar problems across panels, batteries, charge controllers, wiring, and inverters with a safe, practical troubleshooting sequence.Practical guideHome Solar Microgrid Guide: Design, Batteries, Islanding, Costs, and PermitsPlan a home solar microgrid around critical loads, batteries, grid-forming inverters, islanding, permits, monitoring, and realistic outage limits.Practical guideMPPT vs PWM Solar Charge Controllers: Which Is Best for Your Battery System?Compare MPPT and PWM charge controllers by panel voltage, battery voltage, wire length, climate, cost, efficiency, and best-use cases.Practical guideGrid-Tied vs Off-Grid Solar Systems: A Clear ComparisonCompare grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar systems by cost, batteries, outage behavior, utility rules, maintenance, and design tradeoffs.
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 PanelsSolar panel guides for understanding module ratings, roof limits, shading, mounting choices, performance, and long-term planning.TopicBatteriesBattery guides for backup runtime, battery chemistry, usable capacity, safety, temperature limits, cycle life, and storage planning.TopicHome PowerHome-power guides for outages, critical loads, inverters, transfer equipment, microgrids, and practical resilience planning.TopicCosts & SavingsCost and savings explainers for solar payback, incentives, rates, financing, export credits, and conservative project assumptions.TopicInstallationInstallation guides for permitting, inspections, roof work, interconnection, electrical safety, and questions to ask before work begins.TopicNew TechNew-technology explainers that separate proven deployment, pilots, lab results, forecasts, and remaining limits.TopicPolicy UpdatesPolicy explainers for incentives, tariffs, interconnection, net metering, permitting, and rules that readers should verify locally.TopicReviewsResearch-based reviews and buyer guides that explain fit, specifications, safety, compatibility, warranty, and tradeoffs.