Do It Yourself Solar Power

The demand for solar power increases every day, and people started choosing natural energy over the conventional form. Though there are many cost savings, including a reduction in electricity bills, buy-back agreement with the utility center, tax benefits, and rebates from the government for setting up the solar panels, it certainly involves a lump-sum initial cost to be incurred.

Can you make your solar power? Surprisingly Yes. But specific questions should be considered before choosing to install your solar power independently.

  • Are you ready to take up the risks?
  • Will you live at your home the whole year?
  • How much electricity do you anticipate consuming for the year?

In this article, let us discuss the process of creating your solar panels using DIY, the pros and cons.

Steps to DIY Solar panels.

Let’s directly discuss the significant steps involved in making your solar panels.

  • Check your energy needs and design the system.
  • Choose and buy the solar panels of your choice
  • Install amount on your roof to place the solar panel
  • Connect the solar panels to the mount
  • Connect the solar inverter and battery to the panel
  • Establish the connection from the inverter to your main switchboard
  • Inform the local utility and request the permission-to-turn-on (PTO)

Advantages & Disadvantages of DIY Solar power

The requirement and need for solar power differ from every house. Some houses might need them round the year while some might not. Some homes require more energy to charge at night, while others might require less. So, before doing it yourself, you need to check the pros and cons and analyze the requirements of your house.

PROS

Cost Savings

The installation of solar panels can cost you as much as $2000 – $10000, depending upon the structure of the building and the size of the solar panels. In that case, the DIY Photovoltaic panel kits can be cost-effective and help you save that extra penny.

Easily available

You can find the DIY solar kit at any local hardware shop. If you prefer a less complex battery system, you may purchase them from online stores. Wherever you buy, make sure you also get the warranty tag along with the kit.

Self-Sufficient

You will learn to be a self-sufficient person, and you will feel very proud when you install solar panels on your own. Further, if any issues are popping up, you can learn new ways to solve the problems. Knowledge is the most significant wealth a person can earn, and you can always transfer the knowledge obtained to any of your friends in need and pass this on to your children.

Location is your choice

Generally, the solar installers will prefer to install the solar panels on the rooftop or mount them on the ground. But, if you are installing your solar panels, the choice of location is yours. You can mount them on the toolshed, RV roof, boat, or any other choice of place. But, make sure the area that you choose is clear enough to absorb the sunlight.

CONS

Risks of Electrocution, falling from heights, and Damaging the roof

Before installing the solar panels on your own, make sure it is legal to do so. In some countries, installing your panels is illegal.

Installing the solar panels on the roof means you need to climb up at a certain height to do the job. It would be best if you were very careful because the roof is slanting, and there are chances that you may fall from great heights. When you walk along the top, you may also damage the roof.

Since solar panels produce electricity, you might be electrocuted if the circuits are not fitted well. It may put you and your building at greater risk.

These are handled better by expert professional installers.

Install them in the right location

The solar panels are not like any other equipment that can be installed as you like. If you want to produce adequate energy, you need to install or mount them on the roof or the ground, and every mount needs to be located to collect as much heat as possible.

Low-quality PV panels

It would be best to remember that the quality of the panels purchased from Amazon or the local Costco shops is much lower than those purchased by professional installers. If you prefer a more robust quality, you should certainly like going to the professionals rather than choosing soft quality panels. The quality PV panels can last for up to 30 years.

Engineering knowledge

It is not a joke to install a solar panel on your own, and you need to have basic knowledge of engineering about how it works. If you don’t think you can understand AC/DC, we suggest you blindly choose a professional team to install the panels for you.

Higher Energy Needs

If you have machinery which operates on higher energy, including refrigerators, washing machines, or televisions, you can dwell upon the panels that work on a simple framework. It requires a more complicated and sophisticated framework to support the functions of the equipment.

Hiring a professional may help you satisfy the energy storage needs and cycle your battery according to your energy needs.

No power-back system

If you choose DIY solar panels, you will not be required to connect yourself with the electricity grid. Without such an arrangement, you will not get tax credits or agree with the utility to sell the extra electricity generated. Thereby, you might lose a passive income opportunity.

But, if you are ok with such a plan, go for it.

Take away

DIY is always a cheaper option than hiring a team of expert professionals. Throughout the DIY process, you will also learn a lot of new things and paperwork. Go for it if you think you can handle this independently, and DIY can undoubtedly satisfy your energy requirements.

But, if you want a good energy solution for your home to serve quite a lot of machinery, then contact the local solar companies for their installation quote. You might get the tax benefits which cover the cost of operating the solar panels for 10 to 15 years.