Ben Zientara

Solar Policy Analyst

Expertise:

Solar policy | Industry trends | Solar generators

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

What is a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)?

A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a law that requires electric utilities in a state to generate a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources by a certain date. The RPS is also used to determine the amount and type of incentives available for solar buyers. That's about as simple as we can put it.

Written by Ben Zientara

What is a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)?
Going solar with SMUD: what you need to know

Is it a good financial decision to go solar as a SMUD customer? Learn about SMUD solar programs and find out if solar panels are right for you!

Written by Ben Zientara

Going solar with SMUD: what you need to know
Should you buy a Briggs & Stratton Energy Storage System for your home?

Briggs & Stratton’s latest home SimpliPhi Energy Storage System is here! Our expert review of the company's products, including the latest SimpliPhi ESS.

Written by Ben Zientara

Should you buy a Briggs & Stratton Energy Storage System for your home?
Eversource New Hampshire: solar incentives, payback period & more

Explaining how home solar works with Eversource, including how to reduce upfront costs, finding incentives and rebates, and determining average payback times

Written by Ben Zientara

Eversource New Hampshire: solar incentives, payback period & more
Xcel Energy customers in Colorado can take advantage of new and revamped incentives for solar and storage

Xcel Energy Colorado will provide new incentives that will help spread the benefits of clean energy to a wide range of Colorado residents. Learn more here.

Written by Ben Zientara

Xcel Energy customers in Colorado can take advantage of new and revamped incentives for solar and storage
Solar panel scams: 7 solar red flags and how to avoid them

Going solar can be a great way to save money and improve your home, but choosing the wrong company can lead to disaster. Here's how to avoid solar panel scams

Written by Ben Zientara

Solar panel scams: 7 solar red flags and how to avoid them