DIY Solar Power For the Home - Starting Out on The Right Foot

Generating energy from home solar power systems has been around for many years. One thing that has remained constant is that commercially installed solar power is very very expensive.

Typically, the actual energy cost savings require 20 or more years before they offset the cost of these expensive systems. Solar power is efficient, clean and free, but getting access to it on the commercial market is often not realistic for all but the most affluent consumers.

This is why DIY Solar projects are becoming so popular. Many find that using the do-it-yourself method is a viable alternative to expensive systems.

Consumers save many thousands of dollars by creating their own DIY solar energy systems employing panels they make from scratch with readily available materials, or buying previously owned panels which are available from a variety of sources.

While not difficult to complete for anyone with basic tools and a reasonable amount of DIY project skills, the project does require a certain amount of precision. The first thing to understand is how to properly size your system. You must also understand the various components and how they fit together. Panels do not achieve maximum rated power output unless properly optimized, so correct installation techniques are critical for lower maintenance and longer system life.

Proper tie-in to your existing electrical system and equipment placement are equally crucial. Locating all the components you need in the right quantity and at the best price is also challenging unless you know where to look. It is also important to consider how you will configure your system to interact with your existing electrical supply.

For starters, ask yourself which specific appliances do you plan to power with solar? Is your goal to totally replace commercial utility power? Will you produce more power than you need and if so, do you intend to sell excess capacity back to the public utility or store it in batteries? Of course you could start small and just reduce your bill with partial solar power.

You should consider all these questions right for the start of your project, because although you can start as small as you want and grow your system over time, having a basic plan in mind when you start will make the whole project easie.

As for parts, it is important you know where to look and know what to look for. You can use panels you buy used or new and for maximum savings you can even build your own panels from scratch with very little effort. 

Countless DIY solar guides exist for the home enthusiast. The really good ones are intended to first identify these and other questions, which will help make your DIY solar installation so much easier.  These are a worthwhile investment considering the small price. The right guide will save you a lot of time and money throughout the project.