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

Sunnova’s Project Hestia will provide solar loans to homeowners in disadvantaged communities

Thi Deremer

June 20, 2023

Sunnova’s Project Hestia will provide solar loans to homeowners in disadvantaged communities

Look a little deeper into what Project Hestia could mean for Sunnova, its customers, and U.S. taxpayers.

Guide to net metering in New Hampshire for 2023

Thi Deremer

April 7, 2022

Guide to net metering in New Hampshire for 2023

New Hampshire's net metering program for solar homeowners is a pretty good deal, and you stand to save quite a bit of money. Find out everything you need to know about the state's NEM 2.0 program in our latest blog post.

President Biden takes executive action to boost solar - what will it mean for homeowners?

Thi Deremer

June 10, 2022

President Biden takes executive action to boost solar - what will it mean for homeowners?

President Biden issued two executive orders to increase the amount of solar installation and manufacturing in the U.S. Will they work?

Are solar leases and PPAs making a comeback in 2023?

Thi Deremer

May 30, 2023

Are solar leases and PPAs making a comeback in 2023?

In this article, we discuss solar panel financing and whether solar leases and PPAs are making a comeback in 2023.

Rooftop solar panels: what they are, how they work, and frequently asked questions

Thi Deremer

December 13, 2022

Rooftop solar panels: what they are, how they work, and frequently asked questions

Rooftop solar panels are changing the way people think about electricity and the grid. Here’s what you need to know.

What Minnesota's new 100% carbon-free energy law means for the state

Thi Deremer

February 27, 2023

What Minnesota's new 100% carbon-free energy law means for the state

Minnesota now requires that all electric utilities get 100% of the electricity they serve to customers from carbon-free sources by 2040. Here’s what that means for you.

How SCE customers can save money with solar panels

Thi Deremer

October 18, 2021

How SCE customers can save money with solar panels

Southern California Edison (SCE) has solar programs that can help you save money on energy bills, but they are set to expire soon.

Sharp solar panels: how they compare to other top brands

Thi Deremer

March 19, 2021

Sharp solar panels: how they compare to other top brands

Sharp offers solar panels for home and commercial solar installations. Here’s more about them and how they compare to other top brands.

Seraphim solar panels review - Are they a good brand?

Thi Deremer

September 7, 2021

Seraphim solar panels review - Are they a good brand?

Our expert review of Seraphim solar panels, a Tier 1 Chinese solar panel manufacturer that offers good products at decent prices.