About Us
An Independent Guide for Homeowners Considering Solar
Simple Solar Guide was built to answer the questions installers won't — honestly, without a sales pitch, and with real numbers.
Our Mission
Most solar information online is produced by companies that want to sell you something. Installer websites show optimistic savings estimates. Lead generation forms funnel you into a sales process before you understand your options. Comparison sites are often paid to rank certain companies higher.
Simple Solar Guide exists to be different. We are a consumer resource — not a solar company, not an installer, and not a marketplace that profits from steering you toward a particular vendor. Our goal is to give you the clearest possible picture of what solar actually costs, what it actually saves, and whether it actually makes sense for your home.
When you use our calculator or request quotes, we may earn a referral fee from our installer partners. That fee does not influence our estimates, our editorial content, or the order in which we present options. Our affiliate relationships are disclosed in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Our Editorial Principles
Unbiased Information
We are not a solar installer and we do not sell solar panels. Every estimate, comparison, and recommendation is produced independently using publicly available utility data and industry benchmarks.
Transparent Estimates
Our calculator uses real average electricity rates by state, NREL solar irradiance data, and current installer pricing — not inflated numbers designed to make solar look better than it is.
No Obligation Quotes
When we connect you with an installer, you are never obligated to buy. Our referral partners are vetted marketplaces that let you compare multiple quotes before making any decision.
Updated for 2026
Solar costs, incentives, and utility rates change every year. We review and update all data, calculations, and articles on a rolling basis so you always get current numbers.
About McNary Ventures
Simple Solar Guide is operated by McNary Ventures, a digital media company focused on building independent consumer guides in the home improvement and clean energy space. McNary Ventures builds resources that help homeowners navigate complex purchasing decisions — from solar and battery storage to home financing — with clear, data-driven information.
Our team researches industry pricing data, monitors changes in state and federal incentive programs, and updates our tools and articles on a rolling basis to ensure accuracy. We do not employ solar installers or receive compensation from manufacturers for product recommendations.
Questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
Our Data Sources
The estimates produced by our Solar Savings Calculator and state cost guides are based on the following publicly available data sources, updated annually:
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
State-level average electricity rates and consumption data
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Solar irradiance and PVWatts system performance data by location
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Tracking the Sun — annual installed solar system cost data
DSIRE — Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
State-level solar incentives, rebates, and net metering policies
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Industry pricing trends and market data