Are the energy bills for your house really high? With prices for electricity increasing, a lot of homeowners are looking for ways they can save money every day. In particular, they want to lower their bills, as well as help the environment, but without having to make any sacrifices. One way that has become popular is installing do it yourself solar panels. Do you want to read more about this? Read on and find out if this is the best solution for you.
The Benefits of Do It Yourself Solar Panels
First of all, you may be wondering how you can benefit from installing your own solar panels. Well, there are many advantages to going down this route. So, let’s take a closer look.
Save Money
There are a lot of professional companies that can install solar panels. But, if you are on a budget, this is simply not going to be feasible. This is particularly true if you have a large home.
Having solar panels installed by one of these companies is expensive and you are paying for the panels, as well as all of the work on the day. You are probably wanting solar panels installed to save you money. So, if you do not have the cash for professionals, you can do it yourself with solar panel kits.
Choose the Design of Do It Yourself Solar Panels
If you are somebody that likes to be in control, this is definitely going to be what you get when you do this project yourself. You can choose the solar panels you like and what design they are going to be on your home.
Thankfully, there is a lot of information available online that you can read before you start this project. Indeed, it can be a fun way to spend your time up and you can get up on the roof. Just make sure that you choose a design that is going to be directed at the sun.
Go Off-Grid
Do it yourself solar panels do not just have to be for your house. In fact, they can be used for almost anything and anywhere you want to power since you are installing them yourself. For example, you are going to be able to go off the grid and still have electricity.
For example, you can go traveling in an RV after you have installed solar panels. They can also be fitted to boats, barns and other outlying areas around your home. the opportunities are endless
Choose a Do It Yourself Solar Panel Kit
Know that you do not have to hire a professional company to install solar panels. Instead, you can purchase a solar panel kit online. This is going to make your do it yourself project much simpler. This is going to include all of the hardware you need to get started and secure your do it yourself solar panels.
How to Choose a Do It Yourself Solar Panel Kit
You have maybe never realized that you can purchase do it yourself solar panel kits. But, once you start shopping for them, you will soon discover that there are a lot to choose from. In fact, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know where to begin. Here are some tips so that you can ensure you purchase the right solar panel kit for your home.
Know Your Budget
Let’s start with the basics. First, you need to think about what your budget is. Perhaps you are trying to keep your costs as low as possible to make your home environmentally friendly. Additionally, you may have a bigger budget in mind in order to become self-sufficient. Either way, you need to know what amount of money you are willing to use for this project before you begin shopping for a solar panel kit.
The good thing is that a lot of the kits you can buy to begin with. Then, you can purchase another kit in the future to spread out your costs. In other words, you can start with one solar panel kit and it is easy to buy another one later on when you have more money to spend.
Think About Space for Do It Yourself Solar Panels
When it comes to solar panel kits, you are going to find out that there are a lot of different sizes. Of course, you have to ensure that you select the right one for your home. Take a look at different kits and then the size you are going to need for the property.
One thing to remember is the number of sun hours you are going to have. The general rule is the more sun you get, the more electricity can be created. But, the size is a factor too. For example, you are going to need to have space for more panels if you have less sun so that you can generate the amount of power you need.
Do not forget that your solar panels do not have to go on the roof either. For example, if your house has a small roof, you can install them on the ground.
Consider Your Energy Usage
Do you know your average electricity usage and what you need to power your home? Your house is going to have base load when it comes to energy usage. In other words, there is going to be an amount of power you use every month in your home for appliances. This is something that is worth knowing before you purchase a do it yourself solar panel kit. It may be present on your electricity bills or your provider can give you the details.
Once you know this amount, you can choose a kit that is going to help you make savings. The average house will use around 3200 to 4200 kWh per year. There are differing kits and they will tell you how much electricity they can generate.
Examples of Do It Yourself Solar Panel Kits
The good thing is that there are a lot of solar panel kits to choose from. This means that there is going to be something to suit everyone’s needs. But, we also know that it can be overwhelming with so much choice. So, we have chosen three kits that you can take a look at and that may be good for you.
Renogy 100 Watts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit
If you are new to solar panel kits, this one is for you. It is designed to be simple to install and for beginners. The kit comes with all of the tools you are going to need to get your solar panels up and running. You can use the solar panels to create electricity for RVs and boats, as well as outdoor buildings. The frame is made from aluminum so that you can enjoy durability and use in all weather. There are high-efficiency solar cells, which are EL tested and have a top-ranked PTC rating. You are also able to connect more panels at a later date.
ECO-WORTHY 100-Watt 12V solar Panels Kit
It has never been easier to go off the grid. Now, you can power up anything from your RV to a home. There is easy installation with elements such as pre-drilled holes and everything you need. You can use it for 12-volt battery charging. It is recommended that you purchase one to four panels for a boat or one to 30 panels for a home. It is going to depend on your needs.
How to Install Do It Yourself Solar Panels
Now, it is time for the hard work to begin. It is important to remember that you have to be careful when installing a solar panel kit. You may be high up and you want to take your time. In addition, if you discover damaged modules, you do not continue to install them. There can be a risk of an electric shock. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
Choose Your Location
The first step is to choose the location where you want to install the solar panels. This is often on the roof, but it can also be on the ground. The most important thing is that they are going to have exposure to the sun for a lot of the day.
Install the Mount
It is essential that you always follow the manual that is provided with your solar panel kit. But, most are going to have a mount that you have to install. This is going to be what holds the panel in place on the roof. It can be an adjustable mount. You can tilt the panels so that they are facing the sun.
Secure the Do It Yourself Solar Panels
Next, it will be time to secure the solar panels to the mount you have installed. Often, this will involve nuts, bolts and secures. Some of your basic tools will do for this job, just as a spanner or a drill. Take your time and ensure that all of the fixings are tightened and sturdy.
Install the Micro-Inverter
The micro-inverter is an important part of do it yourself solar panel. This is the element that is going to convert DC electricity from the solar panel into AC electricity that you can use in your home. So, you want to ensure that it is installed properly so that you can look forward to using your solar panels.
Often, you will fix the micro-inverter onto the mount. There can be several of them that will need installed depending on the size of your solar panel kit. They will be attached to AC connectors and connected directly into the solar panel. Again, ensure that you follow the instructions provided with your do it yourself solar panels.
Start the Wiring
Complications can occur at this next step. It is going to involve some electrical work. So, to begin with, it is best to switch off the electricity supply to your home. This is going to avoid making any mistakes and getting electrocuted. The wiring process is difficult and unless you know what you are doing, it can be beneficial to bring in an electrician for this step.
Enjoy A Test Run
Now it is time for the most exciting part. We are talking about conducting a test run to see if your solar panels work. Hopefully, you have followed the guide carefully and done everything you should have. Before you know it, you will have clean electricity you can use in your home for appliances.
To Summarize Do It Yourself Solar Panels
Overall, there are a lot of great do it yourself solar panels you can install for your home and beyond. Take your time and choose the perfect kit for you based on your budget, space and electrical needs. You also want to ensure that you follow the manual carefully when it comes to installation. It is entirely possible for a beginner to install their own solar panels. But, if you do not have experience dealing with electrics, it may be best to call a technician for the last part of connecting the solar panels.
You need a solar panel for “on the go”? Make sure to check out our comparison of the best foldable solar panels!
