Research Methodology
How Front Range Solar Guide produces and publishes original research.
Data sources
Aggregate observations from platform activity (question categories, tool completion patterns, appointment categories) combined with verified public records (utility filings, government data, provider disclosures). Individual homeowner records, private documents, and personally identifiable information are never used in public research.
Privacy thresholds
Every published segment must contain at least ten eligible records. Narrow geographic or financial segments use a higher threshold when appropriate. Segments below threshold are suppressed and labeled "Data suppressed to protect homeowner privacy."
Sample sizes
Each research type has a minimum sample size (e.g., 30 proposals for proposal-transparency findings, 20 records per city for city comparisons). Reports below the required sample are published only with an "Early Observations" or "Limited Sample" label.
Statistical safeguards
We distinguish counts, percentages, medians, averages, ranges, distributions, and trends. We do not make causal claims from descriptive platform data. We use language such as "observed among," "appeared more frequently," and "within this dataset."
Review workflow
Every research report passes methodology review, editorial review, statistical review, and privacy review before publication. Legal review is added when required.
Weekly information verification
External facts (utility rules, incentives, tax credits, permits) inside a research report participate in our weekly verification workflow. Historical reports are preserved; when facts change, a note is added and, if warranted, an updated edition is published.
Corrections
See our corrections policy. Material research errors are visibly corrected and preserved.