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Editorial methodology

How we review and score

The consistent, transparent process behind our guides, product roundups and calculators — and the limits of what we publish.

Last updated: October 2024

Almost every solar, battery and EV website hides its methodology or, worse, lets advertisers shape the rankings. We publish ours openly so you can judge the quality and independence of our recommendations for yourself.

What we do before writing

Every guide starts from a question a homeowner actually asks — how much does a system cost, what battery size do I need, will it pay back. We then gather data from manufacturer specification sheets, installation databases, utility tariff schedules and published studies.

Where we recommend specific products, we rely on published specifications and measurement data rather than marketing claims. We do not invent test scores, ratings or prices. When real-world pricing varies too much to state a number, we say so.

How product roundups work

  • Candidates are chosen from products that are widely available and well documented in the covered markets.
  • Specifications are taken from the manufacturer’s published data sheet, not from third-party marketing.
  • Products are compared on verifiable criteria: rated capacity, efficiency, warranty terms, round-trip efficiency, physical dimensions and documented compatibility.
  • No product is given a made-up score out of 100. Where we note a strength or limitation, it reflects a stated specification or an observed industry norm.

How calculators work

Our calculators combine your inputs with openly stated assumptions drawn from common default values and published averages. We always show the assumption so you can change it. Results are estimates for planning, not guarantees — actual performance depends on your specific site, weather, equipment and usage.

Independence and money

We do not accept payment in exchange for coverage, placement or scores. Where a link is an affiliate link, we disclose it and it does not change our assessment. Our full position is set out in our affiliate disclosure.

Corrections

If we publish something inaccurate, we correct it and note the change. If you spot an error, email us with the article URL and the correction — see our contact page.