Most homes already have a smart meter that digitally communicates with the electric grid. If you're looking to get rooftop solar panels, a smart meter is an essential piece of equipment. Here's why.

A new solar panel reaches up to 865 W, setting a historic record in power and efficiency for large-scale solar projects.

Technically, the output of a residential solar panel can be anywhere from 100 watts to 500 watts, depending on the capacity of the equipment and its operating conditions. Most solar panels on homes ...