DSIRE and EnergySage have partnered to help you go solar

EnergySage offers valuable educational resources, calculators and marketplaces to help you learn about and shop for solar with confidence. These services are totally free and 100% online, no calls unless you want them.

We're helping you go solar with confidence

DSIRE and EnergySage have teamed-up to help you go solar and save money!

DSIRE has teamed-up with EnergySage to help you go solar. By joining EnergySage, you will be able to receive:

*Competitive pricing from pre-screened installers near you
*100% online solar quotes, no phone calls required
*Access to a wide range of financing, including $0-down options
*Impartial assistance from solar advisors

Graphic with Energy Advisor in the corner, with text: 'Questions? Your Energy Advisor is here to help!'

Why EnergySage

Unmatched, free educational resources that empower you to go solar with confidence
Easy-to-use calculators for quick solar estimates
Online comparison-shopping to help you secure the best deal possible
Support from unbiased Energy Advisors, available to answer all your energy questions
100% free and online - no calls unless you want them!
Transparent information and numbers to guide smarter energy decisions

“The Solar Marketplace was really easy to use and saved me money! I received quotes from five installers, was able to make an apples‑to‑apples comparison and selected the one that most appealed to me. They answered common questions in a non-technical way."

Jack G., EnergySage Customer

Get free custom quotes from pre-screened installers

100% free to use, 100% online, no phone number required
Compare up to seven local offers
Unbiased energy advisors ready to help

FAQs

Rooftop Solar

How many solar panels do I need?

Probably more than 10 and fewer than 40. We know that’s quite a range, but with solar, there’s really no one-size-fits-all solution: the number of panels you should install depends on how much sun hits your property, your energy needs, and the amount of space you have available for the installation. Most people install a system large enough to generate as much of their electricity needs as possible (that’s how you’ll save the most money!)
Do I need a solar battery?

Need? No – most people who go solar remain connected to the grid, meaning you can pull electricity from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing enough to meet your needs. However, even though you don’t need one, solar batteries have some pretty great benefits: if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, a battery will help keep your solar-powered home running when the grid goes down. Also, if your utility company has demand charges or time-of-use rates, installing a solar battery can help you save money.
How much do solar batteries cost?

Like solar, you can think of the costs as both a gross price and a price per relative capacity. Solar batteries range from $5,000 to $7,000+ and from $400 dollars per kilowatt hour (kWh) to $750/kWh. Note that these prices are only for the battery itself, not for the cost of installation or additional necessary equipment. The installed cost of a battery is closer to $11,000 to $18,000+, and $800/kWh to $1,300/kWh.
How much can I save with a rooftop solar panel system?

Most people can save tens of thousands of dollars on electricity costs over the lifetime of a solar panel system (25+ years). The exact amount you can save depends on many factors, including how much you spend on electricity bills, how much electricity your solar panel system generates, incentives available in your area, and more. The best way to get accurate savings estimates is to compare custom solar quotes on our Marketplace – your quotes will take all these factors and more into account.