Navigating Solar

 NavigatingSolar Solar Research & Planning Toolkit

 My Solar Planning Workspace

 

The central hub for all your home solar planning

🔸Track progress. 🔸Access tools. 🔸Return with purpose.

Your Solar Planning Toolkit 

Access solar calculators, step-by-step checklists, interactive quizzes, and eGuides
— everything you need to plan, track, and optimize your solar energy journey.

 

⚙️ This dashboard keeps your tools, progress, and references in one place — anywhere, anytime you need quick access.

 

⚙️ It’s completely free to use, and works side-by-side with the downloadable guides you can find in our

Solar Reference Library.

 

Your Privacy and Security is important to us –

see our Privacy Policy here.

We’ve partnered up to offer you quick access to

 Solar Professionals Near You

( For US Homeowners )

 

For Solar Installation Quotes:

Quote Requesting Tool

Connect with Local US Installers trusted by homeowners nationwide — step-by-step, practical, and pressure-free.

Explore Options for My Home
Mapping your solar journey, with an overview of the workflow of the process.
For Solar Battery Quotes:

Solar Battery Quote Tool

Get in touch with battery experts in your area for professional guidance.

See Availability →


🔗 NavigatingSolar Affiliate Partner Disclosure
By requesting a quote, you agree to be contacted by a provider from our partner network.
The commission we may earn, if you choose to engage — at no extra cost to you — powers these free resources

My Solar Command Center

Your complete toolkit. Access any tool instantly below.

📚 Solar Terminology

Search our glossary. Pin it to your screen for quick reference anytime.

Solar Readiness Checklist

Progress: 0%
Gather 12 Months of Bills

Collect digital or paper copies of your last year of energy usage.

Determine Average kWh

Calculate your average monthly usage (Total Year kWh / 12).

Assess Roof Condition

Check the age and condition of your roof.

Check Orientation & Pitch

Is your roof facing South, East, or West?

Check for Major Shading

Look for trees or chimneys casting shadows between 9am-3pm.

Review HOA Rules

Check with your HOA or local zoning board.

Confirm Tax Liability

Speak with a tax pro about incentives and rebates.

Research Local Incentives

Check DSIRE database for state rebates or SRECs.

Define Financial Goal

Cash vs. Loan vs. Lease?

Get Multiple Quotes

Plan to get 3-5 quotes from reputable installers.

Solar System Size & Cost Calculator

Right-sized systems tend to align better with actual usage and long-term needs.

kWh
Found on your utility bill. Average US home is ~900 kWh.
Cloudy (2h) Sunny (8h)
Most of US is 4-5 hours. Not sure?
National Avg is ~$3.00/watt before incentives.

Home Battery Storage Calculator

Estimate how much battery storage your home may need for backup power during grid outages.

kWh
hrs

The "Funky Formula" Savings Calculator

See how rising electricity rates increase your long-term solar savings.

Step 1: Determine Base Savings
kWh/yr
Total energy your system produces in a year.
$
Check your bill (e.g., $0.18).
Step 2: Apply Inflation
%
Utility rates historically rise ~2.85% per year.

ROI & Payback Calculator

Estimate payback timelines and long-term cost dynamics based on assumptions.

1. Investment Details
$
Gross cost before incentives.
$
e.g. State Tax Credit (upto 30%).
2. Savings & Expenses
$
From your "Funky Formula" or Utility Bill.
$
Optional (cleaning, inspections).

Solar First Responder

Before calling a professional, use this quick checklist to help identify common system issues.

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Diagnostic Mode: Active

Seasonal Solar Maintenance Schedule

Protect your output and extend system lifespan with simple seasonal checks.

Focus: Cleaning & Inspection
Pollen and winter grime can kill production.
Focus: Heat Management
Systems run hottest now. Ensure airflow is good.
Focus: Debris Removal
Leaves are the enemy. Keep them off the glass.
Focus: Snow & Safety
Heavy snow loads can stress mounting hardware.

Solar Warranty Vault

Track expiration dates and stay protected year after year. Green means you are covered.

☀️

Solar Panels

Equipment & Performance
⚡

Inverter Unit

DC to AC Conversion
🔋

Battery Storage

Backup & Storage Capacity
⚒️

Workmanship

Installation & Labor Quality
📊

Production Guarantee

Minimum Energy Output
Your data stays private and is saved locally in your browser.

Solar Protection Checklist

Don't sign until you have verified these specific warranties and permits.

✅ The 3 Must-Have Warranties

Ensure your contract explicitly covers these items.

Look for: Panels (25 yrs), Inverters (10-25 yrs), Batteries (10-15 yrs).
Look for: 10 years minimum. Covers roof leaks, wiring, and mounting failure.
Look for: Annual kWh guarantee. Typical panel degradation ranges from 0.3%–0.8% per year.

📄 Required Legal Permits

Your installer handles these, but you must verify they exist.

Confirms roof load safety. Never start work without this.
Ensures NEC compliance for wiring and breakers.
Permission to Operate. You cannot turn the system on without this.
Check community rules. Most states protect solar rights, but approval is often still required.

Start Smart with Solar

Before you compare quotes or price panels, answer these questions. They are orientation questions - not sales qualifiers.

Section 1: Current Energy Situation

Section 2: Utility & Policy Factors

Section 3: Future Goals & Lifestyle

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Disclaimer:

These tools are for informational purposes only and does not replace professional service. Always consult a licensed professional.

See  our  🔸Privacy Policy   🔸T&Cs  🔸Disclosure

Picture Your Journey to Energy Resilience

Infographic Phase 2 & 3 Financing & Batteries

Quote Request Tools

Connect with Solar Experts in the US

for Solar Installation and Battery Storage Solutions

 

Ready to Get a Quote?

Getting accurate solar information can be confusing.
Prices, system sizes, and savings vary depending on your home, location, and energy usage.

Instead of guessing, the easiest way to start is by connecting with a provider who can walk you through your options.

Quote Requesting Tool

Connect with Local US Installers trusted by homeowners nationwide — step-by-step, practical, and pressure-free.

Explore Options for My Home

Why Use These Tools?

✔️ Fast connection to available solar providers

✔️ Safe, and Trusted by homeowners across the US

✔️ No obligation to move forward

✔️ Simple, guided process

✔️ Options based on your location

✔️ Explore your options at your own pace

Solar Battery Quote Tool

Get in touch with battery experts in your area for professional guidance.

See Availability →

Affiliate disclaimer

NavigatingSolar is an independent resource and don’t provide solar installation, equipment or quotes directly.

Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links on this page may connect you with solar providers through our partner network, including MySunSaver.
The commission we may earn, if you choose to engage — at no extra cost to you — powers these free resources.

Affiliate relationships exist to help support the ongoing maintenance of this site and it’s free resources.

🔗 NavigatingSolar Partner Disclosure
By continuing, you agree to be contacted by a provider from our partner network, including MySunSaver.
Your information will be handled according to our Privacy Policy and the partner’s Terms of Service.

Information Station

Blog:

Our Knowledge Hub offers fact-based articles and deep-dives on solar hardware, finances and solar savings strategies to deepen your solar knowledge.

Solar Reference Library

My Resources
Download and collect the eGuides that pair with the Tools you need to plan your solar journey.

Resources:

Installation Quotes & Equipment : What to know before you buy
Solar Insurance Options : Learn about Solar Insurance

Industry Experts on Solar

  •  

Educational Information

Our library also lists trusted informational links to government and solar authority sites, for deeper understanding and fact-checking.

 

Government & Policy Sources:

Incentives & Rebates Databases
Solar tax credits & programs
Utility Rate Database

Community solar info

 

PVWatts Calculator (NREL)

→ Lets users estimate solar production for their address.
Use the PV Watts caculator

 

Kids NavigatingSolar

EnergyAnt@ EIA

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