The author behind The Solar Lab Alex Carter, weekend tinkerer
I test solar gear at home and tell you, with no sugarcoating, what really works and what let me down. The goal: to save you from the buying mistakes I've already made.
Why this site
It all started with an electricity bill that kept climbing and a simple wish: to make a little of my own energy without diving into a pro-level job. I bought my first balcony solar kit, got several choices wrong, and figured out one thing: most of the pages you find online are sales pitches dressed up as advice.
So I decided to document everything my own way: buy the gear with my own money, install it myself, measure it for weeks, and publish the raw results. The good and the bad.
How I test
- I buy it myself. No gear loaned by brands in exchange for a flattering review.
- I install it and live with it. The tests run for several weeks, in real conditions, not one afternoon.
- I measure. Production, self-consumption, runtime: numbers, not impressions.
- I say so when it's bad. If a product isn't a good fit, I advise against it, even if it's an affiliate link.
My independence
Some links on the site are affiliate links: if you buy through them, I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. That's what funds the tests and the hosting. But it changes nothing about my opinion: I never recommend a product just because it pays. No installer, no brand pays to appear here.
What I test
Portable Power Stations
All-in-one power stations and solar generators for camping, RVs, and keeping the essentials running during a blackout.
Home Backup & Batteries
Whole-home and partial backup batteries to keep the lights on when the grid goes down, and cut your power bill.
Off-Grid & DIY Solar
Build your own system: panels, charge controllers, inverters, and 12V batteries for RVs, vans, and cabins.
A question, or a product you'd like tested?
I try to reply to everyone. Tell me what gear you'd like to see put on the test bench.
Contact me