A Consumer's Guide to Solar

This book came about from my many years experience as an independent solar installer and the thousands of questions that people have asked me when they find out I work in solar. I have put together an easy to understand and straightforward guide without the sales pitches. The tools in this book will help you avoid many of the mistakes I have seen over my career installing solar PV. You’ll get the information you need to make the solar installation process go smoothly. After reading this book, you’ll know what to expect during your solar installation and what you need to do to achieve the beautiful system you desire. If you use the tools in this book, I know you’ll have an easy and joyful time with your photovoltaic installation. Inside you will find chapters on: How big a solar system do you really need? What’s the best way to pay for solar: Buy, Loan or Lease? What type of solar equipment will work best for my situation? What sort of warranty is there on solar? What to look for when choosing a solar installer. Once you’ve found your installer, I give you tips on how to best work with the installer to get the PV installation you imagined. And after it’s installed, how do you maintain the solar system? A solar PV system is a big and expensive decision, but it doesn’t need to be a difficult one. Many people are hesitant to deal with contractors working on their homes, but using the tools in A Consumer’s Guide to Solar you’ll learn how to do it with ease. After reading this book you’ll have the confidence to jump in and start saving with solar. There is no better day than today. You don’t need to go solar alone. Good luck and thanks for going solar.

This book came about from my many years experience as an independent solar installer and the thousands of questions that people have asked me when they find out I work in solar. I have put together an easy to understand and straightforward guide without the sales pitches. The tools in this book will help you avoid many of the mistakes I have seen over my career installing solar PV. You’ll get the information you need to make the solar installation process go smoothly. After reading this book, you’ll know what to expect during your solar installation and what you need to do to achieve the beautiful system you desire. If you use the tools in this book, I know you’ll have an easy and joyful time with your photovoltaic installation. Inside you will find chapters on: How big a solar system do you really need? What’s the best way to pay for solar: Buy, Loan or Lease? What type of solar equipment will work best for my situation? What sort of warranty is there on solar? What to look for when choosing a solar installer. Once you’ve found your installer, I give you tips on how to best work with the installer to get the PV installation you imagined. And after it’s installed, how do you maintain the solar system? A solar PV system is a big and expensive decision, but it doesn’t need to be a difficult one. Many people are hesitant to deal with contractors working on their homes, but using the tools in A Consumer’s Guide to Solar you’ll learn how to do it with ease. After reading this book you’ll have the confidence to jump in and start saving with solar. There is no better day than today. You don’t need to go solar alone. Good luck and thanks for going solar.

Matthew Myshkin is a NABCEP certified Solar Installation Professional working in NYC and the surrounding area. He currently designs and builds solar electric systems and works as a renewable energy consultant. His solar career started back in 2005. This followed a decade of green building. Myshkin shifted his focus to renewable energy when he saw an opportunity to create homes that produce as much energy as they consume. When it gets too cold to install solar in New York, Myshkin goes to Mexico where he lives “off grid” on a net zero sailboat. The lessons learned from not having the electrical grid to rely on have led to some interesting insights into energy production and consumption that carry over into his designing grid tied systems that really work.