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About SolarStateData

Independent solar research. No installer bias. No paid placements.

👩‍🔬

Dana Mercer

Energy researcher & data journalist
Previously: NREL research associate, EIA data analyst, freelance energy writer
Based in Denver, Colorado

Why I built this

In 2019 I spent three months trying to figure out whether solar made sense for my home. I talked to six installers and got six different answers — wildly different cost estimates, conflicting claims about incentives, and a lot of pressure to sign contracts.

The problem wasn't information — there's plenty of it. The problem was that most of it came from people with something to sell me. Installer websites, manufacturer marketing, review sites funded by lead generation. I couldn't find a source that just gave me the numbers without an agenda behind them.

That's why I built SolarStateData. I had the data skills — I'd spent years working with NREL and EIA datasets. I knew where the clean data lived. So I built the site I wished had existed when I was trying to make my decision.

What we do

SolarStateData publishes independent, data-led research on:

  • State-by-state solar incentives (tax credits, rebates, net metering rules)
  • Honest cost analysis using market data from EnergySage
  • Product comparisons based on spec analysis and owner reviews
  • Policy changes that affect solar economics

Our data sources

We pull from public, credible sources:

  • DSIRE — Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (NC State)
  • EnergySage — Market pricing data (cost per watt by state, quarterly)
  • SEIA — Solar Energy Industries Association installation data
  • NREL — National Renewable Energy Laboratory solar irradiance data
  • US EIA — Electricity rates by state and utility

How we make money

This site has two revenue streams, and I think transparency about them matters:

  • Affiliate commissions: Some product links (EcoFlow, Renogy, Bluetti) and installer referrals (EnergySage) pay a commission if you purchase. This never influences our ratings or research.
  • Display advertising: We run Ezoic ads. We don't control which ads appear.

We do not accept payment for reviews, editorial coverage, or "sponsored" research. No installer has ever paid to appear on this site.

Accuracy and updates

Incentive data is reviewed weekly. Cost data is updated quarterly. If you spot an error, please contact us — we take accuracy seriously and will correct mistakes promptly.

Get in touch

For research questions, corrections, or press enquiries: use the contact form.