Rated Means Rated Test Lab: Viewer Survey

I’m considering building a small, independent solar equipment test lab focused on sustained output, thermal performance, transfer time, monitoring accuracy, communications, and other practical tests that normal product reviews often don’t cover. The finished test videos and major findings would remain public. I’m also considering optional membership or project-based support to help fund the facility, equipment, and testing time. Nothing described here is finalized, and completing this survey doesn’t commit you to anything. It should take about four minutes.

1. How interested are you in seeing Rated Means Rated become an ongoing test lab project?

Extremely interested

Very interested

Somewhat interested

Slightly interested

Not interested

2. What types of equipment should the lab prioritize?

3. What specific make and model would you most like to see tested first?

4. Which tests would be most useful to you before buying solar equipment?

Viewer participation

5. Which parts of the project would you personally use or participate in?

6. Which ways of supporting the lab would you realistically consider?

A monthly membership

A one-time contribution toward building or equipping the lab

Contributing toward a specific product or test

Using affiliate links or coupon codes when I’m already buying something

Watching, sharing, commenting, or helping without contributing financially

I’m not sure yet

None of these

7. If membership included features you considered useful, how likely would you be to join?

Definitely would

Probably would

Might

Probably wouldn’t

Definitely wouldn’t

Membership questions

8. What monthly price range would you realistically consider?

$1 to $5 per month

$6 to $10 per month

$11 to $20 per month

$21 to $35 per month

$36 to $50 per month

More than $50, but only for specialized projects or benefits

I’d prefer occasional one-time contributions

I’m not sure yet

I wouldn’t consider a monthly membership.

9. One possible higher-level project would pool member support to purchase and test a member-selected inverter. When technically possible, the project would also develop a usable Modbus register map or protocol package. Would that interest you?

9. One possible higher-level project would pool member support to purchase and test a member-selected inverter. When technically possible, the project would also develop a usable Modbus register map or protocol package. Would that interest you?

Very interested. I might join a higher membership level for this.

Interested, depending on the inverter and price

I’d want to see the results but wouldn’t join a higher membership level

I’m not interested in Modbus or automation

I’m not sure what this would be used for

About you

10. Which of these best describes you?

11. What would make the lab’s testing most useful or credible to you?

Thank you for helping shape the Rated Means Rated Test Lab. This survey doesn’t commit you to anything. I’ll use the combined responses to determine which tests viewers value, how the project should begin, and whether there’s enough interest to support an ongoing program. Watch DIYSolarFarming for an update after I’ve reviewed the results.