About Thi Deremer

Thi Deremer - Author of Solar Reviews

Thi Deremer

Solar Policy Analyst and Researcher

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.

Recent articles by Thi Deremer

Top 5 American solar panel manufacturers in 2023

Thi Deremer

May 10, 2019

Top 5 American solar panel manufacturers in 2023

Reviewing the top-rated U.S. solar panel manufacturers in 2023.

What happens if you have solar and the power goes out?

Thi Deremer

July 25, 2017

What happens if you have solar and the power goes out?

Typical home solar installations shut down during a blackout, but you can keep the lights on in 1 of 3 ways: a generator, battery, or a special solar inverter.

Expert review of the Enphase IQ battery system

Thi Deremer

October 15, 2023

Expert review of the Enphase IQ battery system

The Enphase IQ solar battery system can help you save money on energy and keep your home powered in an outage. Here’s our word on whether it’s the best solar battery available.

kW vs. kWh: Watts, kilowatts, and kilowatt-hours explained

Thi Deremer

April 3, 2019

kW vs. kWh: Watts, kilowatts, and kilowatt-hours explained

Watts and kilowatts (kW) are measures of power, or ability to do work, while kilowatt-hours (kWh) are measures of energy, which is power used over time.

How the U.S. electrical grid works

Thi Deremer

October 11, 2022

How the U.S. electrical grid works

Every time you flip a switch or press a power button, the electrical grid reacts. Find out how and why here.

Expert answers to Reddit’s most popular solar panel questions

Thi Deremer

September 29, 2023

Expert answers to Reddit’s most popular solar panel questions

SolarReviews’ in-house solar experts break down some of Reddit’s top solar panel questions so you can trust you’re getting the best advice.

Exciting new solar technologies that actually matter (and why they matter)

Thi Deremer

October 20, 2023

Exciting new solar technologies that actually matter (and why they matter)

There are breakthroughs in solar technology announced nearly every day from laboratories around the world. Here’s a rundown of solar technologies that will actually have an impact in the near future.

How heat pumps reduce energy consumption and work with solar panels

Thi Deremer

April 10, 2020

How heat pumps reduce energy consumption and work with solar panels

Heat pumps are the key to electrifying your home’s HVAC and water heating. They can be paired with solar panels and batteries to massively reduce emissions and change the way you use energy.

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

Thi Deremer

September 18, 2023

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.