Diy Solar System Faqs
Our solar systems include everything you need to begin generating renewable energy. That includes a solar panel, panel mount, charge controller, wiring and cables and full fitting instructions. Its all you need to install a fully functioning solar energy system.
Solar panels work as part of an overall solar system. Photons from the sun hit the panel and excite electrons within the panel. Those electrons then move between positive and negative sides of the panel to create a circuit, which generates power. That power is then sent to a charge controller and on to the batteries that store the power for use later.
A solar system is designed to generate and store energy for later use. The solar panel generates the energy, the charge controller feeds that energy to the battery and the battery connects to the building or vehicle. Depending on the system, there may be an inverter between the battery and the building or vehicle to change stored DC current to AC current ready for use by appliances and electronics.
The amount of energy that can be generated by a solar system depends on the size of the system. Typically, a motorhome solar system will generate from around 100w at 12v up to 4500w at 48v. Much depends on budget and energy requirements and the size of the motorhome.
Free standing can be moved to always face the sun but need setting up. They cannot generate energy on the move or when your vehicle is unattended. They are easier to upgrade though.
Mount The Solar Panels
A lot of panels come with mounting brackets which you can easily attach to your platforms, especially if the platforms are wood. For steel platforms or roofs, however, you might need a better drill, and be careful with that roof too. However, if the panels do not come pre-fastened with brackets, you might want to contact your dealer and inquire whether the bracket is provided or where to put one.
For brackets though, angled ones are the most ideal, secure the front feet first. Make sure they are squared and centered before being secured in place with screws or other materials which you have.
Potential For Damage And Injuries
If you’re planning to sell your house any time soon, you can’t afford to hurt its curb appeal. And that means you need to steer clear of DIY solar panel installation since too much could go wrong.
Solar panels may necessitate adding materials to your roof to support them. But if you choose a material that’s too heavy, you could start to sink the roof. On top of that, if you don’t know how to handle the panels, you might drop them and gash the roof or house.
Finally, be wary of a DIY project because of the likelihood that you could wind up injured. Solar panel installation requires being comfortable with heights and knowing how to handle electrical work. With one wrong step, you could find yourself on crutches or worse.
You May Like: Solar Power How Does It Work
How Much Backup Power Do I Need
Your backup battery bank should be sized to meet your needs. Ask yourself, if the power goes out, what appliances do I want to keep running? Then, figure out how much energy those appliances consume and size your battery bank appropriately.
While every home is different, we can give some generic examples to help you benchmark your backup power needs.
Partial backup: 10 kWh-20 kWh storage
10 kWh of storage is enough to provide partial home backup for typical homeowners. Thats enough to power the essentials, along with electronics that you use every day, like your internet, computer and TV. Partial backup systems take care of most of lifes conveniences, but non-essential loads like a hot tub or EV charger are still shed during outages.
Whole home backup: 20-40+ kWh storage
In addition to the above, a 20-40 kWh storage system would account for major energy-intensive loads, like your well pump, air conditioning, laundry, and dishwasher. Look for a battery bank in this size range if you need whole home backup for a single-family home.
Diy Solar Panels To Do Or Not To Do
Doing it yourself is usually a cheaper option for many things. But what about DIY solar panels for home use? Is it really cheaper to DIY than to engage a professional solar installer?
In most cases, this is true. Solar panel installations can cost from $2,000 to $5,000 in the United States more when the solar power system is bigger.
Other questions may arise such as, where to buy solar panels and how to install solar panels by yourself.
In this article, we address all these and more, as well as all the possible considerations you need to make before deciding to choose the DIY route.
You May Like: Solar Panels Vs Wind Turbines
Best Solar Panels For Rvs / Mobile Applications
Solar is also a great solution for mobile applications like RVs and boats. But youll need smaller panels to work around any space constraints.
The best solar panel for this situation is Sol-Go 115 watt flexible panels.
Their lower profile helps you find the right configuration with limited space available. And since these panels can bend up to 30 degrees, they can flex around curved surfaces to make the most of the space you have.
These panels are lightweight, easy to install and perform well in low light. Theyre built to adapt to rough and changing conditions that come with living life on the road.
The last category well look at is the best solar panels for small-scale remote applications.
These tend to be used to power remote equipment for a variety of industries:
Switch On Your System
If your system has now met all state, local, and utility company requirements, you can now commission it. Check whether your solar system is functioning by firing up your solar monitoring app almost every inverter comes with one these days.
Does the app show the system is performing as expected? If yes, then congratulations! It was hard work, but youre finally done.
Read Also: How Much Land Is Needed For A Solar Farm
What Are The Hidden Costs Of A Diy Solar Project
There are multiple permits and inspections from your local jurisdiction and power company that you must pay for before your DIY solar project can go live. Consult with them to know what you must do and when in the process. Missing even one could delay or even prevent your projects completion.
But before you even get started doing the research for your solar system, check to be sure a non-licensed homeowner can install a grid-tie solar array. If not, you will have to involve a licensed solar company. This could be several thousand dollars more than you initially budgeted.
Your home insurance could increase due to the panels on your roof or property. Contact your agent before you get started to determine if the annual increase is within your budget.
If youre not totally sure youve purchased all the right componentry, make sure that theyre returnable before you even take them out of the box. If youre wrong and need to switch out materials, youll be disappointed by the extra expense if you cant be refunded for the item.
Its A Complex And Potentially Dangerous Job
Installing solar panels is not an easy process, and without undergoing the same training as a professional installer there is a lot that could go wrong. Lifting heavy panels, wiring electrical equipment and simply working up high on a roof are just some of the safety hazards you face. If you aren’t confident in working with this kind of specialised equipment, then homemade solar panel installation may be too advanced for your skill level.
As an example, if you’ve just spent a few hours Googling how to build a solar panel and watching YouTube videos – then you’re probably not ready to start building your own DIY solar power system.
The technical side of solar PV installation can also be tricky and doing it yourself often results in systems being connected and fitted incorrectly. Even if you have electrical experience there are still many elements of solar installation that differ greatly to traditional jobs and should be left to a professional.
Don’t Miss: Where Are Jinko Solar Panels Made
Getting A Diy Install Started
An install consists of two parts: system design and physical labor.
Fortunately, Project Solar can take charge of your systems design. You don’t need to have a complex understanding of volts, amps, watts, circuits, photovoltaic sun potential, inner workings of the hardware and electrical components, wiring, etc., to successfully install a PV system.
Project Solar can design your system within 24 hours and maximize your system design for efficiency of panel placement, aesthetics, and ROI. The company’s solar calculator can give you an idea of an ideal system size for your home and electrical usage.
Since Project Solar takes care of the system design, the installation’s physical labor will fall on your shoulders. Youll be the muscles of the operation, but the great news is that you dont even have to be particularly muscular.
If you can comfortably carry about 45 pounds, use a power drill to drive lags and run wires through your attic , and you feel okay moving around on your roof, then you got this!
Next, well cover the basics of the following 7 steps:
Pros And Cons Of Diy Solar Panels
DIY panels can be a great option for going off the grid and some small home applications. For powering your entire home, however, it may be in your best interest to go with a professional installer.
Advantages and disadvantages of DIY solar
| Pros of DIY solar panels | Cons of DIY solar panels |
|---|---|
| Provides more energy independence for homeowners by not being tied to the electricity grid. | Require much more maintenance that would otherwise be covered by an installer warranty. |
| Effective in powering smaller items like RVs, boats and other appliances | For an entire home, installation may be difficult for an individual without the knowledge and experience of a professional installer. |
| Allows homeowners to save roughly 10% on the overall cost of installation that would otherwise go towards labor. | DIY installation may be illegal where you live according to local zoning laws. |
Most home DIY solar panel solar kits are designed for off-grid use, which means you cant use them and remain connected to your utility. If youre an average homeowner, going off-grid is probably not in your best interest being able to access utility-generated electricity is important if your solar energy system doesnt produce enough electricity to meet your needs at all times of the day throughout the year.
DIY solar options
Also Check: How To Read A Smart Meter With Solar Power
Account For Solar System Part Replacements
You also need to take into consideration the added expenses for solar part replacements to answer the question of is solar worth it. To estimate the costs:
1. Look up the warranty on other components, especially the inverter. Budget for inverter replacements over the life of the system if necessary.
Panels are warrantied for 25 years, but some parts have shorter warranties. For example, the SMA warranty is 10 years, and SolarEdge is 12 years. However, Enphase micro-inverters also have a 25-year warranty, so you dont need to factor in replacement costs on those.
2. Calculate the costs after deducting the value of the tax credits. Those replacements will happen in the future, after the federal tax credit has expired. In our example, well assume 2 SolarEdge inverter replacements at their current cost of $1,595 each.
Example: $12,927 + = $16,117.
This is our lifetime cost of solar ownership. It includes equipment, installation, and replacement over the 25-year life of the system.
Inexpensive Diy Solar Power
We all know that outfitting a house with solar panels is not cheap right now. Harnessing enough sun to be able to live completely off-grid costs many thousands of dollars, up to many tens of thousands depending on how much electricity is needed. But do we really need to go from 0% to 100% clean energy in one go? Thatâs not usually the way things are done we usually do incremental changes. The idealist will say that itâs not fast enough , but the realist will say that the mainstream has more chances of going for it if itâs not too radical and expensive, and that the power of numbers is hard to deny. So the question is: Do we really need to go 100% solar at once? What is the least you could pay and still end up with enough solar juice to run some things around the house? The Off-Grid weblog answers that question.
Recommended Reading: Do I Qualify For Solar Tax Credit
Recommended Reading: Cost Of Solar Panels In Georgia
Types Of Solar Panels
Even though all of these solar panels provide you with the same benefit of collecting the sun’s energy, they go about it in different ways. Here are a few of the different types of solar panels that you can expect to find on the market.
Amorphous Solar Panels–These solar panels are extremely thin when compared to some of the other options. These panels are made by spreading silicon over a large sheet of stainless steel. This type of solar panel is basically a thin film that you can spread over any flat surface. Many people use these panels on recreational vehicles and boats because of how lightweight and thin they are. The disadvantage of this type of solar panel is that it is not very efficient. However, this type does perform well when part of the panel is covered in shade.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels–This type of solar panel is typically the most expensive type on the market. It is the most expensive because it is also the most efficient of all of the options currently available. It is constructed by using a single large crystal of silicon. This type of solar panel is considered the premium panel on the market. It even performs well in low-sunlight conditions.
Cables And Mounting Hardware
Not all solar kits include cables and mounting hardware, even though you cant install a system without them. When shopping around, it is important to verify if the solar kit youre eyeing provides cables and mounting hardware. Most companies give customers the option to buy all-in-one or to purchase separately. Since the mounting hardware is customized to the panels and batteries, youll likely want to stick to the same brand or manufacturer.
You May Like: Solar Panels Kits For Homes
Gear Required For Off
The essential components of an off-grid system are similar to a grid-tie setup with the addition of:
- Charge controller
- Balance of system components
The following short video from Su-Kam Solar describes the different uses for pure sine wave versus modified sine wave inverters. Not only will you see the difference in the graphical illustrations of both you will hear the contrasts, too.
Make A Diy Plan And Design Your System
This is the trickiest step in the whole DIY process, especially if you dont have any prior experience working with energy systems.
A. Decide on your goals
What do you want from your system? Financial savings? Backup power? Independence from the grid?
The goal youre shooting for will determine the best system type for you, how complex the installation will be, and how much the project will cost.
B. Choose the right solar system type
The next decision is to choose the right solar power system type to match your goal.
All system types have many features in common: they all involve solar panels, inverters, mounts, and wiring.
There are, however, some crucial differences, and they can impact the projects cost and complexity. Heres a brief summary of each.
C. Check solar rules and regulations
There is a wide range of rules governing solar installations. They can vary greatly between states, and even between local jurisdictions.
Be aware that some states dont allow a solar system to be connected to the grid unless the installation was performed by a licensed contractor. If this is the case where you live, you won’t be able to install a DIY grid-tied or hybrid solar system.
If DIY is allowed where you live, then youll probably need a building permit and a utility permit before you start your installation. This generally involves an onsite inspection by either a structural engineer or a licensed electrician.
D. Design the system
- Your energy needs
Read Also: Cost Of Average Solar Panel
Set Up The Grounding For The Array
In order for the solar panel arrays to be safe for human hands to touch without being grounded, you will need proper grounding for them. To do this, bury a grounding rod with about six inches of its body sticking out. You can do this either on a wood surface or on the ground.
Once that is done, run a copper grounding wire from the rod to the fuse box and from the solar panels to the fuse box. The panels should now be grounded safely.
Diy Solar Panels: Why You Shouldnt Install Them Yourself
The risks of installing your own solar panel system far outweigh the rewards. This article by TechBullion discusses issues you might face with do-it-yourself solar panels. To ensure a safe, reliable and guaranteed solar panel system installation, talk with a professional Panasonic installer today.
Did you know that 79% of Americans support alternative energy sources? If you’re one of them, you could be thinking about installing solar panels. While you can save money and be eco-friendly by making this move, there are some pitfalls to avoid.
And while DIY solar panels might sound like the easiest option, be cautious. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t install them yourself!
Read Also: Solar Motion Sensor Light As Seen On Tv
