About Ben Zientara

Ben Zientara - Author of Solar Reviews

Ben Zientara

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 Ben Zientara

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

Ben Zientara

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.

Guide to solar battery tax credits, rebates, and other incentives

Ben Zientara

December 11, 2021

Guide to solar battery tax credits, rebates, and other incentives

Comprehensive guide to various tax credits, rebates, and incentives for solar batteries on the federal, state, and utility level.

Is net metering still necessary in 2023?

Ben Zientara

August 21, 2023

Is net metering still necessary in 2023?

High electricity costs and smart appliances have made saving money and maximizing solar self-consumption easier than ever. Does net metering still matter?

Virtual power plants: how they work and how homeowners can benefit

Ben Zientara

July 25, 2023

Virtual power plants: how they work and how homeowners can benefit

Virtual power plants are networks of connected devices that can be selectively activated and deactivated to respond to changes in power demand on the grid.

Expert review of Aptos solar panels for 2023

Ben Zientara

February 7, 2023

Expert review of Aptos solar panels for 2023

Aptos is a newer solar panel manufacturer in the U.S. market, but it’s growing rapidly each year. Here’s a look at the company’s products and whether they’re any good.

Key statistics from the SolarReviews 2022 Solar Industry Survey

Ben Zientara

May 11, 2023

Key statistics from the SolarReviews 2022 Solar Industry Survey

We produced a full report of the results of the Solar Industry Survey, which provides a complete picture of the data we collected. We also pulled out some of the most interesting statistics our experts uncovered.

SunPower vs. Sunrun: Is one of these top companies right for you?

Ben Zientara

July 21, 2023

SunPower vs. Sunrun: Is one of these top companies right for you?

SunPower and Sunrun are two big names in the solar industry, offering home solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers across the country. Which one is the best?

EnFin solar loans: what consumers need to know

Ben Zientara

July 17, 2023

EnFin solar loans: what consumers need to know

EnFin is a newer solar lending company in the U.S. market. Here’s what consumers need to know to make an educated decision about choosing EnFin as their lender.

Solar loan dealer fees: what to know and how to avoid paying too much for solar

Ben Zientara

July 10, 2023

Solar loan dealer fees: what to know and how to avoid paying too much for solar

Lending companies like Mosaic and GoodLeap offer solar loans through installer partners, but most of these loans come with added fees. Here’s what you should know.