The SwimEasy DIY kit heats your pool with roof- or rack-mounted panels and a leak-resistant one-piece header. Here’s how to size it to your pool and what the kit doesn’t include.
Category: How To
Balcony Solar Panels: Where They’re Legal and What They Really Produce
Plug-in balcony solar is finally legal in a growing list of US states. Here’s what’s allowed, what a balcony kit really produces, and three setups that work for renters anywhere.
Solar Panel Roof Mounts: 3 Renogy Options and How to Choose
Not sure how to mount a solar panel on your roof? We compare Z brackets and two tilting mounts, plus tips to keep the roof dry.
Solar Lawn Mower: What Actually Works in 2026
There is no true solar lawn mower, but you can mow with sunshine. Here is the three-part setup, and what it really saves.
12 Volt RV Refrigerator: What It Actually Takes to Run One Off-Grid
No propane, no inverter loss — just a straight power draw your battery bank has to actually be able to handle.
How Big of a Portable Power Station Do I Need? The Real Math
Too small and it dies before your trip ends. Too large and you’ve overpaid for capacity you’ll never use. Here’s the actual math to get it right the first time.
Solar Generator for an Off-Grid Cabin: Portable Power Station or Full System?
A weekend cabin with a mini-fridge and some lights has radically different power needs than a year-round homestead running a well pump. This guide covers the real decision between a plug-and-play portable power station and a full off-grid system build, with honest sizing math for each.
Solar Generator for Hurricane Preparedness: How to Size It Before the Storm
Gas generators are the leading cause of death in the days after a hurricane — not the storm itself. This guide covers how to size a solar generator correctly for real multi-day outages, the pre-storm checklist that actually matters, and picks for basic through extended coverage.
MPPT vs PWM Charge Controller: What the Real Numbers Show
“MPPT is always better” is common advice, but it’s incomplete. Real testing shows the efficiency gap ranges from 20-40% in cold weather down to nearly nothing in specific small, voltage-matched setups. This guide covers the real numbers and the honest cases where PWM remains the smarter buy.
How Long Will a Solar Generator Run a Refrigerator? The Real Math
Most runtime calculators skip the one factor that matters most: your fridge doesn’t run continuously. This guide covers the real math using actual duty cycle, plus a tested example showing how even modest solar input can make runtime effectively indefinite.