LIVING WITH SOLAR / About Living With Solar
About Living With Solar
Meet the people behind our solar guides, and understand the principles that shape our work.
Hi, I’m Sophia Green
Sophia Green founded Living With Solar in 2023 after going through one of the most frustrating research experiences of her life — trying to figure out whether solar panels were actually worth it for her home. It should have been simple. She had a south-facing roof, a rising electricity bill, and a genuine interest in reducing her dependence on the grid. What she didn’t have was reliable information. .
Every article she found had an agenda. Installer websites told her solar would pay for itself in three years. Comparison marketplaces pushed her toward whichever company paid the highest referral fee. National energy sites published guides so vague and generic they could have applied to any home in any state — which meant they were actually useful to no one.
And the government program websites, the ones with the real data, were written for policy administrators, not homeowners. She spent the better part of a year piecing together the real picture — cross-referencing utility rate schedules, digging through state agency program documents, calling installers with specific technical questions, and reading SEIA market reports that most homeowners would never find on their own.
By the time she made her decision, she had built something resembling a research operation. She realized the gap she had experienced wasn’t just her problem. It was everyone’s problem. That’s why she built Living With Solar.
Now, my mission is to simplify the complex world of solar energy and give you the high-quality information you deserve, in plain English.
What Living With Solar Is — And What It Isn't
Living With Solar helps homeowners research solar costs, equipment, and installation questions. Our research standards prioritize primary sources, dated assumptions, and clear commercial disclosures. Check current program documents and compare itemized proposals before making a decision.
Living With Solar provides education and a quote request route. We may earn revenue from quote referrals. A referral is not proof that an installer is suitable for your home; verify credentials, references, contract terms, and warranties.
The goal is simple: give homeowners the same quality of information that a well-connected energy policy professional would have — in plain English, organized by state, updated regularly.
Strategic DepthWhat She Covers
Sophia oversees all content with particular depth in:
- State solar incentive programs and how to stack them correctly. Net metering policy changes and what they mean for system sizing. Utility rebate programs and how to qualify. Federal tax credit legislation and phase-down timelines. Battery storage incentives and whether storage makes financial sense in specific markets. Low-income solar access programs including Illinois Solar For All, California SASH, and similar state initiatives. Installer vetting — how to identify legitimate Illinois Shines Approved Vendors, how to read a solar quote, and what red flags to watch for.
Research Process
Our research standards prioritize current government, utility, program administrator, and manufacturer documents for material rules and specifications.
Material claims should include sources, dates, locations, and assumptions. A publication date alone does not establish that a price or incentive remains current. Report an error with the page URL and a supporting primary source through our contact page.
Check sources, assumptions, and current program terms.
IntegrityA Note on Independence
Living With Solar provides solar education and may earn revenue from quote referrals. Readers should consider that commercial relationship when evaluating recommendations.
Read our methodology and disclosures to understand the calculator assumptions, our research standards, and how to report a correction. Compare proposals and verify an installer’s credentials before committing.
Our research, methodology & disclosures
See how the homepage calculator works, how quote referrals can support the site, and how to report a correction.
Bridging the Gap Between Solar Tech & Homeowners
The solar industry has a trust problem. Information is either too technical or hidden behind aggressive sales pitches. Living With Solar exists to fill that gap. We provide clear, honest, and research-driven education so you can make informed decisions about renewable energy for your home without the pressure.
Our Standards: What We Are NOT
Not a Solar Installer
We are strictly educators. We don’t sell equipment, handle installations, or push contracts. Our loyalty is to you, not solar crews.
EDUCATION & QUOTE REFERRALSCheck the Sources
Verify material claims with the relevant program administrator, utility, or manufacturer. Our methodology explains the standards readers should expect.
REVIEW THE SOURCESUnderstand Quote Requests
The quote form collects the information you choose to submit. Read our privacy policy and commercial disclosure before sharing personal details.
READ THE PRIVACY POLICYOur Core Values
Transparency and integrity are at the heart of everything we do to empower homeowners.
🛡️Independence
Living With Solar may earn revenue from quote referrals. We disclose that relationship so readers can evaluate our content and compare proposals with the full context.
📊Research-Driven
Our standards prioritize primary sources and clear assumptions. A researched comparison should be distinguished from a hands-on test.
✍️Editorial Integrity
Our standards call for cited material claims, honest dates, clearly stated assumptions, and corrections when errors are identified.
🎓Education First
We empower you to lead the conversation. Knowledge is your greatest tool in the transition to clean energy.
🏠Homeowner Focused
Our goal is to help homeowners ask better questions and understand proposals. Verify the equipment, provider, and terms before committing.
🔍Transparency
We are open about our processes and sources. No hidden fine print—what you see is exactly what you get.
Meet Our Team
Need help or have a correction?
Send us the page address and details so our team can review your message.