Technical Note about Enphase Microinverter System Grounding
Enphase Microinverters with Integrated Ground have DC integrated ground, they do not require a GEC
Learn About Renewable Energy
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Guide to Solar Water Heating Systems
Learn about the types and components of solar water heating systems and find links to solar water heating system design and analysis tools.
Solar panel installation – finding the right solar installer for you
Which solar installer is the best for your needs? Looking for the best solar panel company? Read in depth guide on finding solar installers.
What are solar batteries?
Solar batteries are an important part of any solar energy system, allowing the energy from the sun to be stored and used later.
kWh Calculator
This kWh calculator answers the question 'How much solar power do I need?' by helping to calculate your home electricity usage in kWh.
Glossary of Alternative Energy Terms
A glossary of alternative energy and renewable energy terms, definitions, and synonyms for use as a resource in a DIY renewable energy projects.
Beginner's Guide to Utilizing Solar and Wind Generated Electricity
This beginner's guide to solar and wind renewable energy systems covers assessing power needs, planning costs, net metering, and more.
Which Types of Alternative Energy are Right for You?
Selecting what types of alternative energy to power your home with is more about what's available and economic than about what you want.
How to Improve Energy Efficiency at Home
Learn how to improve energy efficiency at home. Making your house energy efficient will reduce the cost of a renewable energy system.
5 Things to Consider When Preparing for a Renewable Energy System
There's a lot to consider when planning a DIY renewable energy system, but special consideration should be given to these 5 concepts.
Will Solar Work in My Location?
Solar energy can be generated in any location, so the question is: How well will solar work in your location? The answer comes down to insolation.
Components for Your Solar Panel (Photovoltaic) System
Whether you plan to DIY or hire an installer, you'll benefit from understanding the components for your solar panel (photovoltaic) system.
Deciding Which Solar Electric System is Right for You
Interested in solar but need help deciding which kind of solar electric system is right for you? Start here for helpful info & resources.
The Big 4: Demystifying Voltages
Voltage-schmoltage! Read more about the four main voltages used in RE systems.
Intro to Solar Electric Systems
Learn about the types of solar electric systems: PV direct, grid-tied, off-grid, grid-tied with battery backup, and hybrid systems.
Solar Power System Components Video Series
Video series on solar power system components: solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, inverters, racking & overcurrent protection.
Components of an Off-Grid Solar Power System
For most DC-coupled off-grid solar systems, it comes down to 4 main components. Learn about off-grid system components with altE DIY resources.
Electricity Basics
Learn the basics of electricity: voltage, amperage, wattage, resistance, AC vs DC electricity, and how solar panel cells work.
Electricity Basics: Rates & Quantities of Electrical Energy
2-part video series on the fundamentals of understanding and measuring rates and quantities of electrical energy for DIY solar projects.
Introduction to Solar Electricity
This introduction to solar electricity (photovoltaics) includes how solar panels work and how to understand their voltage/current specs.
Intro to Solar Panels
2-part video series on solar panel basics: voltage, current, power, Standard Test Conditions, connecting modules & mono vs poly solar cells.
Solar Electric Panel Technologies
Common solar electric panel technologies include single-crystal silicon (monocrystalline) and multi-crystal silicon (polycrystalline).
How to Buy Solar Panels
Learn how to buy solar panels by comparing the features and specs you care about with this solar panel buying guide
Solar PV Panels Overview
Solar PV panels (or photovoltaic modules) are the most popular renewable energy technology for homeowners. Learn the basics of solar PV panels.
Electrical Characteristics of Solar Panels (PV Modules)
Learn how factors like Standard Test Conditions (STC) and Maximum Power Point (MPP) affect the electrical characteristics of solar panels.
Inverter Basics
Learn the basics of inverters in solar and renewable energy systems with this overview (including some history) of inverter basics.
MC Cable Types
Learn about MC Solarline 1 and MC Solarline 2 solar panel cable/connectors in this online resource for DIY solar power systems.
Inverter Waveforms
Inverter waveforms can be listed as sine wave, pure/modified sine wave, square wave...But what do these different inverter waveforms mean?
The Role of an Inverter in a Solar Electric System
The role of an inverter in a solar electric system is to convert the solar panels' DC electricity into 120/240V AC power for your home.
Comparing PWM and MPPT Charge Controllers
Compare PWM and MPPT charge controllers with these pros and cons lists of each controller type, plus a supplemental video comparison.
How Does a Solar Charge Controller Work?
A charge controller is a charge regulator to keep batteries from overcharging. Learn about how a solar charge controller works with altE.
Deep Cycle Batteries Introduction
An introduction to deep cycle batteries: Types, how they're different from car batteries, and why they're used in renewable energy systems.
Increase Solar Charging with an MPPT Charge Controller
Learn how a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller can increase your solar panels' battery charging power by 30% or more.
How to Charge a Deep Cycle Battery Properly
This two-part video series explains how to charge a deep cycle battery properly for use in a battery-based solar or renewable energy system.
Mismatched Solar Panels: Wire in Parallel or in Series?
Video series testing wiring mismatched solar panels in parallel vs. wiring in series to maximize solar PV output with an MPPT charge controller.
How Much Will Solar Cost for a 2000 Square Foot House?
Learn about the average cost of solar panels for a 2000 square foot house, or a home of any other size to help you plan your home solar panel system.
Can I Use My Normal 120/240 VAC Appliances in a PV System?
Yes, but appliances operating at 240V are expensive to run on solar PV. Refrigerators are typically the largest cost-effective solar loads.
Power Ratings for Common Appliances
Use this database of power ratings for common appliances to estimate the Watt-hours your renewable energy system needs to supply.
Renewable Energy Systems in RVs and Boats
Solar and wind renewable energy systems in RVs and boats work just as well as on homes - in some ways better. But there are important differences.
Off Grid Solar Power System Quote Request
Get a free off grid solar power system quote with this interactive tool and we'll help you plan, design & shop for an off-grid solar system.
Grid Tied Solar Power System Quote Request
Use this free grid tied solar power system quote tool whether you're just learning about grid-tied solar systems or want help planning one.
The Reality of a Backup Power System
Before investing in a backup power system for your home, it’s important to consider how often you’ll need backup power and what you need to power with it.
Battery Backup Power System Quote Request
Get a free battery backup power system or hybrid system quote. Battery backup works whether or not you have solar or are grid-connected.
Solar Water Pumping: A Practical Introduction
Find out why solar is often the ideal power source for water pumping with this practical introduction to solar water pumping systems.
Solar Water Pumping System Quote Request
Get a free solar water pumping system quote with this interactive tool and we'll help you plan, design & shop for your solar water pumping system.
Solar Water Pumping: Water Storage, Control and Monitoring
Learn about the water storage/management, plumbing, and monitoring aspects of a DIY solar water pumping system.
Can Solar Electric Panels (PV) be Used for Water or Space Heating?
There are far more efficient ways of using the sun's energy to directly heat air and water than with solar electric panels (photovoltaics).
An Introduction to Wind Power Turbines
Residential wind power turbines are one of the most cost-effective generators of renewable energy - in the right location.
A Primer on Small Wind Turbines
Learn about the history, costs, and types of small wind power systems in the U.S. with this small wind turbines primer.
Residential Wind Turbines: Are They Practical for You?
Determining whether a residential wind turbine is practical for you requires understanding potential environmental and legal implications.
Micro Hydro Power Systems Overview
Micro hydro power systems are almost always the most cost-effective type of renewable energy system. Learn about micro hydro power systems here.
An Introduction to Solar Thermal: Solar Heaters and Solar Water Heaters
There are two kinds of solar thermal system: solar water heating and solar air heating. Solar thermal is less common than solar PV but more efficient!
How to Determine How Much Hydro Power is Available at a Site
Learn how to determine the hydroelectric power potential of a stream or river by estimating head and flow with these formulae.
Solar Air Heating Overview
Solar air heating works in tandem with traditional heating systems to use the sun's energy to aid in in-home heating and lower heating costs.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Guide to Solar Water Heating Systems
Learn about the types and components of solar water heating systems and find links to solar water heating system design and analysis tools.
Solar Water Heating Overview
Learn the basics of solar water heating. Solar water heating is highly efficient and cost-effective, and doable as an advanced DIY project.
Solar Pool Heating System Overview
A solar pool heating system can heat your swimming pool efficiently using the sun's energy. Get an overview of solar pool heating here.