About
The $50K quote
It started with a quote. I’d built a cabin from scratch in Welches, Oregon — framed it, wired it, plumbed it, the whole thing. When it came time to add solar, I called a few installers. The quotes came back: $30K, $42K, $50K. For a system that would be grid-tied, net metered, and — here’s the kicker — would shut down during a power outage unless I added another $10K+ in battery equipment.
I’d just built an entire house with my own hands. The idea that I couldn’t wire up some solar panels without hiring a $50K installer didn’t sit right.
The rabbit hole
So I started researching. I learned about standalone systems — solar that doesn’t touch the grid at all. I learned about Oregon’s homeowner exemption that lets you do your own electrical work. I learned about the 200W safe harbor that exempts small standalone systems from the solar specialty code entirely. I learned that Oregon, almost by accident, has created the most DIY-friendly solar regulatory environment in the country.
And I learned that nobody was putting all of this together in one place.
The technical information exists — Will Prowse, DIY Solar Forum, Reddit. The regulatory information exists — in ORS statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, NEC codebooks. But nobody was connecting the dots between “here’s how solar works” and “here’s what Oregon law says about you doing it yourself.”
Johnny Solarseed
That’s what this site is. The complete pathway for Oregon homeowners who want to build standalone solar systems on their own property, legally, safely, and with their own hands.
The name is a riff on Johnny Appleseed — planting seeds of energy independence, one shed and one garage at a time. It’s deliberately informal. This isn’t a solar company. It’s not a nonprofit with a board and a mission statement. It’s one guy who built a system, learned the code, and wants to make the path easier for the next person.
What this site is
- Free. All information is free, always. No paywalls, no gated content, no email-for-access.
- Technical but accessible. We don’t dumb it down, but we explain as we go.
- Oregon-specific. Code citations, permit processes, and regulatory guidance for Oregon. Some of the technical content applies anywhere, but the legal framework is Oregon-focused.
- Honest about limitations. We tell you what the code says, what happens if you skip it, and when you should stop and call a professional.
What this site isn’t
- A solar company. We don’t sell panels, batteries, or installation services.
- An environmental pitch. This is about economics, resilience, and the satisfaction of building something — not guilt.
- A “just do it, nobody checks” forum. We believe in doing it right, getting it inspected, and sleeping well at night.
About Dan
I’m a technical lead with 30+ years in engineering, manufacturing, and software — from Carrier and HP to Boeing and healthcare startups. I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering from RIT and an M.Eng in Civil Engineering from Portland State. I built my cabin in Welches from the ground up between 2017 and 2021, and designed and installed my own solar energy system.
I run Throughline Technical Services, LLC, offering technology consulting, solar education, and workshop facilitation.
Get in touch
If you want help with your own Garage Solar project — system sizing, plan review, regulatory guidance, or hands-on build assistance — head to the consulting page.
For everything else: throughline@freepdx.com