A Primer for Do-It-Yourself Solar Panel Setup at Home

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Putting put solar panels on your own home could seem like a daunting task.

Maybe you’re hesitating to tackle it independently because you believe it is too complex or time-consuming. In reality, anyone can set up a solar kit on their own. The work required to install a solar system is more than justified by the long-term cost savings and energy independence it brings.

Solar Power: Why Make the Change?

When weighing the costs and benefits of installing solar panels, homeowners have much to consider.

One of the most compelling arguments for switching to PV power is the money you’ll save. Saving money on energy bills is a permanent benefit once your system is up and running. And your PV panels should operate at or near total capacity for at least 30 years!

However, financial savings aren’t the only perk. The installation of solar panels also:

Boosts the worth of a home
Achieves complete energy autonomy
Saves the planet’s ecosystem
Proves to be an inspiration to everyone around you.
Are you prepared to begin?

DIY Solar Energy: Where to Start

DIY solar panels require some forethought. To learn:

Is there enough space for an array on your roof or another part of your property?
In what location do you think the array will be the most useful to you?
Do most of the daytime sun shine upon your roof or property?
Is the sky clear of anything that might act as a sunshade, such as trees or buildings?
Is there any damage to the roof’s structure? Can the panels’ extra weight be supported?
You can move forward with solar energy when you’ve answered these questions and determined that it will meet your needs. And if you don’t know the answers to all the questions, that’s no reason to give up. Numerous strategies exist for overcoming obstacles like limited headroom or partial cover.

Please Review Your Electric Bills

Get together your electric bills from the past year and look for patterns to see when you use the most power.

Total up your annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity use. Don’t forget this figure; you’ll need it for future calculations.

The system size you need is based on your peak monthly energy consumption.

DIY Solar Kit Ingredients to Choose

You will need, as a bare minimum, to construct your system:

A System of Solar Panels
Method of attachment
Alternator-to-voltage converter
Keep in mind that a battery backup is necessary for an off-grid solution. This increases the difficulty of the do-it-yourself approach to a point where most experts advise against attempting it unless you have prior knowledge.

How to Install Solar Panels Yourself

The cost of hiring a professional to set up your solar panels is substantial, so doing it yourself might save you a lot of money.

However, getting a professional electrician to do the wiring would be best. It’s more expensive than if you were the house yourself, but it’s illegal in most states unless you have electrical training.

The mounting and racking system must be ready before installing the panels. SnapNrack items, in particular, are simple to set up because they plug in.

Installing the panels is a breeze once the racking is fastened to the roof. Simply lay the panels where you want them to go, join them as you go, and ratchet them into position.

Get an electrician to install the necessary wiring, and you’ll be all set. You ought to be all set to go!

DIY solar kits can save you money, but only if you get them from a reliable company. This is the only way to ensure the manufacturer’s warranty fully covers your parts. Furthermore, a solar kit supplier can significantly assist in designing your system and answering any questions you may have during the DIY home solar installation process.

Jen Stott lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a writer and blogger for Be Locally SEO as the company‘s Content Director.

Now is the time to plan out your solar panel system if you think it would benefit your home.

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