Field notes
Clean energy blog.
Data-driven analysis on solar economics, EV costs, electricity rates, and energy policy — updated for 2026.
Solar Basics
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace: Costs, COP and Rebate Eligibility in 2026
Compare heating costs with reproducible examples, a break-even COP calculation, and DOE rebate eligibility rules. Replace example prices with local quotes.
The Complete Home Battery Buying Guide 2026: Tesla Powerwall vs Enphase vs Franklin vs Sonnen
Comparing the top home batteries by capacity, cost per kWh, efficiency, warranty, and use cases. Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, Franklin WH, and Sonnen ecoLinx side-by-side specs and real-world performance for 2026.
Home Battery Storage in 2026: Is It Worth the Investment?
Home battery systems cost $10,000–$15,000 installed. Are they worth it in 2026? We analyze TOU arbitrage savings, backup power value, solar synergy, and payback timelines to give you an honest answer.
Solar Lease vs PPA vs Buying: Which Is Best in 2026?
Compare buying, leasing, and solar PPAs using full contract cash flows, transfer terms, and current federal tax rules without assuming a Section 48E credit.
Solar Panel Degradation: What to Expect After 10, 15, and 25 Years
Solar panels lose roughly 0.3–0.5% of output per year. Here's what NREL and manufacturer data say about real-world panel longevity, how to read warranty fine print, and when your system might be worth replacing vs. repairing.
Tesla Powerwall vs Enphase IQ Battery: Complete Comparison 2026
Choosing between a Tesla Powerwall 3 and Enphase IQ Battery 5P? We compare specs, installed costs, warranties, inverter compatibility, and real-world performance to help you pick the right home battery for your situation.
Solar + EV: Why Combining Them Maximizes Your Savings
Solar panels and an electric vehicle create a virtuous savings cycle. We break down the combined economics, best states, and why the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Solar Panel Cost by State in 2026: Complete Pricing Guide
What residential solar actually costs by state, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's data on 2024 installations: a $3.98/W national median and state medians from $3.25/W (Texas) to $4.39/W (New Mexico).
EV Economics
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?
Estimate home EV charging from wall-meter consumption, your tariff, driving distance, and public charging share. Includes shared EIA reference data and worked examples.
Level 1 vs Level 2 EV Charger: Which Do You Actually Need?
Level 1 charging is free and works fine for many EV owners. Level 2 adds 25–35 miles per hour but costs $600–2,000 installed. Here's an honest breakdown of both options and how to decide which one fits your driving habits.
Best Time-of-Use Rate Plans for EV Owners in 2026
Time-of-use electricity rates can slash your EV charging costs by 60–70% if you charge during off-peak hours. Here's how TOU works, which utility plans offer the best rates, and how to calculate your exact monthly savings.
EV vs Gas Car in 2026: The Complete Cost Breakdown
A data-driven total cost of ownership comparison between electric vehicles and gasoline cars in 2026. We analyze purchase price, fuel costs, maintenance, insurance, and resale to find the real winner.
Policy Updates
Federal Solar Tax Credit Expired: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
The 30% federal solar tax credit (25D) expired December 31, 2025. Here's exactly what changed, who can still claim it, what incentives remain, and whether solar still pays off in 2026.
EV Tax Credits in 2026: What Expired, the Deadline, and What's Still Available
The $7,500 federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) and the $4,000 used-EV credit (Section 25E) ended September 30, 2025. Here's what that means for 2026 buyers, which tax year to claim a pre-deadline purchase on, and which state and utility incentives still apply.
2026 Grid Buildout: What EIA's Capacity Plans Mean for Home Energy Decisions
How to interpret EIA's February 2026 capacity outlook without treating a national construction forecast as a promise of lower bills or rooftop solar savings.
Oil Price Shocks & Clean Energy ROI: What Homeowners Need to Know (2026)
When oil markets spike, homeowners with solar panels, EVs, and battery storage are structurally insulated. Here's what the 2026 data says about energy price volatility and clean energy economics.
Solar Still Makes Sense in 2026: How the Industry Is Adapting After Federal Cuts
The 30% federal tax credit and Solar for All are gone — but solar still makes financial sense. See what state incentives remain, how installers are adapting, and when the math still works.
How Net Metering Works in 2026: State-by-State Guide
Net metering lets solar owners sell excess electricity back to the grid — but the rules vary dramatically by state. Here's how net metering works in 2026, which states still credit solar at retail, and what California's NEM 3.0 means for your solar ROI.
Is Solar Worth It in 2026 Without the Federal Tax Credit?
The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Here's what homeowners need to know about solar economics in 2026 — and when it still makes financial sense.
State Guides
Top 10 States for Solar Savings in 2026 (Ranked by ROI)
We modeled the same 8 kW system in every state with LBNL installed prices and EIA rates, then ranked the 10 states where solar is credited at the retail rate. New York and Massachusetts lead at about 9.6 years.
Solar Panels + Electric Vehicle: The Ultimate Home Energy Strategy
Combining rooftop solar with an EV creates a home energy system where your car runs on sunshine. Here's how solar-powered EV charging works, what combined savings look like by state, how to size your system, and the carbon math.
Electricity Rates by State in 2026: Data and Cost Examples
Residential electricity averages for all 50 states and DC from EIA, with the data period, shared calculator inputs, and reproducible solar and EV cost examples.
About This Blog
The Clean Energy Calculator blog provides data-driven analysis to help homeowners make informed decisions about solar panels, electric vehicles, battery storage, and home energy efficiency. Every article is backed by the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Department of Energy (DOE).
Our calculators give you personalized numbers — this blog provides the context to understand what those numbers mean. Whether you're deciding between solar leasing and buying after the ITC expired, or trying to understand which EV makes the most financial sense in your state, you'll find clear, unbiased analysis here.
Data sourced from EIA, DOE, NREL, EPA, EnergySage, AFDC, and DSIRE. For informational purposes only.