Solar Guides & How Tos

Learn everything you need to know about running a fridge with solar panels. From sizing panels to calculating your battery requirements, we cover it all.

DJI is known for making drones, but their entry into the portable power game has turned a lot of heads, including ours. Learn who they are and why you should care!

Learn why portable power stations are the smart alternative to gas generators for emergency backup power. We'll cover how they work and why they're perfect for blackouts.

Thinking about buying solar gear online? We break down what you need to know before you order. Don't waste your hard-earned money!

Gas generator or power station? We compare a $2,000 solar generator to a $200 gas generator, breaking down lifetime costs, reliability, convenience, and how each one can fit into your lifestyle.

We break down the most common emergency power mistakes people make before outages (and explain how you can avoid them). Don’t wait until the lights go out to realize you messed up!

We mystery shopped Anker SOLIX to see how good their sales and tech support really is. Honestly, they really surprised us!

We mystery shopped EcoFlow to see how good their sales and service support really is. Let's just say their products are better than their tech and sales support...

We revisited Shop Solar to experience their customer support. When we did, we discovered they offer more solar kits than we originally thought, and they could save you thousands of dollars!

Learn why using a gas generator to charge a power station is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to stay powered during a blackout. You don't have to choose just one!

In this blackout buyer’s guide, we break down the best power stations and solar gear to keep your lights on and fridge running during storms and outages.

Thinking about going solar but not sure where to start? Learn how to confidently choose the right system and solar kit for your needs. Avoid common mistakes that could cost you money!

Wondering why your power station drains fast? It's time to learn about idle consumption! Few brands talk about it, but knowing what it is and how you can minimize it is important.

What is a solar inverter, and why are they important? This simplified breakdown will explain what they are, what they do, and what you should know about the different types.

Discover the truth behind EcoFlow's X-Boost feature. We reveal how it drops the voltage to let you run higher wattage appliances, meaning it’s a marketing gimmick you shouldn’t fall for!

In this episode of Behind the Brand, we take a closer look at the EcoFlow story. From their crowdfunding beginnings to key product launches and the challenges they've faced, learn everything you need to know about EcoFlow!

We've ordered from ShopSolar.com many times, but we've never actually called in and got the full customer experience. Learn all about our mystery shopping experience!

Looking for a portable and budget-friendly power station? This guide will point you in the right direction. We cover the best small units from EcoFlow, Anker, DJI, Pecron, and OUPES!

Discover the best large power stations from top brands, like EcoFlow, Anker, OUPES, and Pecron. If you need serious power, this guide can help!

Sizing batteries can be daunting, but it’s probably easier than you think. We cover the three steps you should follow, plus everything else you need to know about sizing batteries for your solar power system.

We order a lot from Signature Solar and regularly recommend them. However, we've never actually called in and got the full experience. So, we used fake names and mystery shopped them. Read about our experiences.

Let’s take a look at a tiny home that runs almost entirely on solar panels, DELTA Pros, and an EcoFlow Smart Generator. It’s a cheap and simple way to go off-grid that might just work for you too!

Basic solar terminology and concepts are less complicated than you think. To help you get started with solar, we’re breaking down terms like Watts, Volts, Amps, AC, DC, PV, and more!

Making sure you have the right inverter for your solar power system is incredibly important. Avoid making costly mistakes and get it right the first time with this handy guide!

Making sure you have the right size solar panel array is very important! It's also really easy. If you follow these three simple steps, you will be able to figure out everything you need to know!

Shopping for a new solar power system? You’re probably feeling just as confused as everyone else when they first start out. Most websites list their kits under four categories: Off Grid, Hybrid, Mobile, and Emergency Backup; but what does that even mean?

When it comes to purchasing a new portable power station, it can be a little difficult choosing one that meets your unique needs. This beginner-friendly guide explains everything you need to know!

When it comes to learning the basics of a solar power system, there are three main components you need know: the inverter, battery, and solar panels. We'll break down the fundamentals for you!

Power stations can be expensive, and that can put people off buying. But what if your power station could actually save you money? Learn how you can shave money off your electricity bills when you pair the Anker F3800 with the Anker Home Power Panel.

Every single day thousands of door-to-door salesmen try to convince people to go solar for the WRONG reasons. If you don't know any better, there are at least four mistakes you might make. It's not your fault, some of these are positioned as "good ideas" by pushy salesmen, but in reality, they just want your money. Don't get scammed!

Learn the difference between wiring your solar panels in series and parallel. We’ll also explain how to combine both of these configurations to wire your panels in a series-parallel configuration. With a step-by-step wiring guide and an explanation of the pros and cons of each, we’ll cover everything.

What happens to solar panels when it’s cloudy outside? We’ve been asking ourselves this question for a long time. After being bombarded with ads pushing going solar IN THE WINTER, when the sun is at a lower angle and the skies are usually cloudy, we wanted to see if it’s actually a viable option. Come along with us as we find out just how much power solar panels can produce on cloudy days!

Learn about the difference between server rack batteries and wall mount batteries. It will help you decide which battery type is best for your solar power system. For examples, we use the popular EG4 LifePower4 and EG4 PowerPro batteries.

Ever wondered how much power your fridge actually uses? We put popular calculators and online sources to the test, only to discover they’re often inaccurate! Our real-world testing reveals the truth.

What do Trump’s proposed tariffs mean for the solar market? While no one knows for sure, speculation is running wild, and some companies are using the uncertainty to push panic buying. In this article, we’ll break down what’s happening, why prices might change, and why we don’t think you should rush into a purchase.

This was supposed to be a review on the AllPowers R2500, however, we decided to go in a different direction after our experience with this brand. In this article, we go over some of the problems with companies like AllPowers, as well as other reviewers that are being paid to shine a positive light on products they know aren't good. Learn how to avoid costly mistakes with this guide!

Are your favorite gadgets and solar gear secretly exposing you to harmful radiation? In this article, we test common household electronics like phones, headphones, and appliances, along with solar gear like power stations, inverters, and batteries, to reveal surprising EMF exposure levels. Find out if you should be concerned!

Curious about the differences between 12V, 24V, and 48V batteries for your solar power system? In this article, we break down the pros and cons of each voltage, how they impact performance, cost differences, and which one is best for your setup.

Can the Anker F3800 power station keep your home running for 24 hours during a snowstorm, hurricane, or unexpected outage? We put it to the test to see how it performs under real-life conditions. We also dive into its idle consumption, how to extend its runtime with solar panels or expansion batteries, and tips for maximizing your backup power. If you're curious about reliable power stations, backup solutions, or the Anker F3800, this article has you covered!