Ben Zientara is a writer, researcher, and solar policy analyst who has written about the residential solar industry, the electric grid, and state utility policy since 2013.
His early work included leading the team that produced the annual State Solar Power Rankings Report for the Solar Power Rocks website from 2015 to 2020. The rankings were utilized and referenced by a diverse mix of policymakers, advocacy groups, and media including The Center for American Progress, The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the Solar Institute at George Washington University, PolitiFact, and The Guardian.
In 2020, Ben joined SolarReviews and now lends his expertise to the annual Solar Industry Survey, Top Solar Manufacturers list, Top 10 Solar States list, and throughout articles and pages across the site.
Ben holds a B.S. in Scientific & Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota, with special coursework in Environmental Science and a minor in Sustainability Studies. He spends his time away from the solar power world cooking and eating delicious food or spending quality time with his wife, kids, and big brown dog in the mountains, woods, parks, and playgrounds of the Portland, Oregon area.
The Enphase IQ solar battery system can help you save money on energy and keep your home powered in an outage. Here's our word on whether it's the best solar battery available.
Written by Ben Zientara
Solar loans let you get solar panels with no upfront costs. We look at whether they are worth it, and how you can find the best one.
Written by Ben Zientara
Solar panel payback period and ROI: How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?
Written by Ben Zientara
For a basic 6 kilowatt (kW) residential solar installation, this means your solar system will cost $14,820 before the 26 percent federal ITC tax credit, and $10,966 after the credit is applied.
Written by Ben Zientara
The Generac PWRcell is a home solar battery backup system that stands apart from the competition. Find out if it's right for your home here.
Written by Ben Zientara
TECO offers two solar savings programs for Florida residents, and one will save you substantially more than the other. We explain each (and which one you should sign up for) in our latest blog.
Written by Ben Zientara