About Ben Zientara
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.
Articles by Ben Zientara
Gathering solar quotes is an essential part of going solar. Here’s our guide to comparing solar quotes to get the best solar installation for your home.
Written by Ben Zientara
Depending on your state and utility company, you may be eligible for solar rebates that can reduce your cost to install solar panels. See if you're eligible here.
Written by Ben Zientara
The SPAN Panel offers monitoring and control of all the circuits in your home to save money on energy and integrate solar and battery storage into your home.
Written by Ben Zientara
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a law that requires utilities to get a portion of electricity from renewables and can impact incentives available for solar.
Written by Ben Zientara
PERC is a technology that makes solar panels more efficient by adding extra layers to traditional silicon solar cells. Find out if they're right for you.
Written by Ben Zientara
A nuclear weapon can cause an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which can disrupt electronic circuitry. Will solar panels survive an EMP?
Written by Ben Zientara
