Solarly is independent solar journalism.
No installer relationships. No sponsored picks. No industry advertising. Just research, math, and fifteen years of editorial standards.
Who’s behind this
I’m Ben van der Veen — founder of Moss and Fog, an independent media company I’ve run since 2009. Solarly is published under Moss and Fog Media.
I got into plug-in solar after two years in apartments where rooftop solar wasn’t an option. What I found online was either written by installers trying to close a $30,000 deal, or by enthusiasts who buried the practical details in jargon. I wanted a guide that started from the renter’s reality — and treated readers as people capable of understanding the math.
Solarly is that guide. I write and edit everything here. Numbers come from publicly available utility data, peer-reviewed research, and manufacturer spec sheets. When I recommend a kit, it’s because I’d buy it myself — not because anyone paid me to.
Editorial standards
No installer advertising
Solarly does not accept advertising from solar installers, kit manufacturers, or utilities. This is non-negotiable. The recommendations here are editorially independent.
Numbers over narrative
Every savings estimate, payback period, and ROI figure on this site is derived from publicly available data. We show our methodology and we don’t round up.
Primary sources
State law coverage links to the actual legislation. Kit reviews reference the actual spec sheets. We don’t rewrite press releases and call it journalism.
Corrections policy
When we get something wrong, we correct it clearly and keep the original text visible with a strikethrough. Laws change, rates change, and we update accordingly.
Get in touch
Solarly is a small independent publication, and reader contact actually matters here. The inbox is open for:
- Tips and leads — if you know about a state law change, a utility filing, a bill moving through committee, or a story we should be covering, please send it.
- Corrections — if something on the site is wrong — a rate figure, a law detail, a kit spec — I want to know. We correct quickly and transparently.
- Press inquiries — if you’re covering plug-in solar, renewable energy access, or renter rights and want to talk on background or on record, I’m available.
- General questions — if you’re trying to figure out whether solar makes sense for your situation and the site hasn’t answered it, ask.
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