Solar Panel Kits For Homes

Q: Are Solar Panels Expensive

A: Depending on your needs, most solar panel kits are affordable for the average homeowner. Those seeking to power small loads can find kits for as low as $100.

If youre looking to power a large load, like an entire residential building, then youll need to cough up $5,000 or more for all the equipment.

Solar panels are an investment, rather than an expenditure. Considering the average residential utility bill in America is more than $100 per month, your investment will pay itself back in as little as a few years. It also has the added benefit of decreasing your reliance on non-renewable energy sources and location dependence.

As technology continues to advance, solar energy systems will continue to decrease in price. While the upfront cost may seem like a lot at first, its a worthy and safe investment for homeowners looking to go off-grid.

For more on if solar panels are right for you, check out our Solar Energy Pros and Cons List.

What You Plan To Use Your Solar Panel Kit For

The first step to purchasing a solar panel kit is deciding whether you need a small or large system to power your home, cabin, camper, or other off-grid places.

Generally, small loads can be effectively run off of 100-600W systems. Larger loads will need a minimum of 1500W. Most DIY solar panel kits run in the range of 100-400W.

Best Solar Panel Kits: Tested In 2022

Graham Sawrey

We research & test to recommend the best products learn more about our review process here. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn a commission.

A solar panel kit is basically a solar panel bundled with the essentials youll need to assemble and run your solar energy system. They are a dream come true for newbies looking to switch to renewable energy as they cut out the expensive middle man and allow for DIY installation.

Solar panel kits are ideal for those looking to power a small off-grid cabin, RV appliances, a boat, or other small electronics. Expensive large load kits are even capable of handling the entire energy consumption of a small household. Depending on your specific purpose, theres a quality kit out there that will comfortably meet your energy needs.

If youre new to solar panels and ways to make your home greener, theres no better place to start than with our best solar panel kit guide. We created this ultimate review based on our experience researching and testing the solar panels ourselves.

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Which Solar Panel Kit Is Best For My Needs

Our solar panel kits are created based on lifestyle and energy needs. If you’re new to solar or looking to expand your existing system, starter kits are a great option for dipping your toes into a solar pond. Premium kits are ideal for those who prioritize efficiency and reliability. If you live a mobile lifestyle on the open road, we recommend our RV and van solar panel kits. For those living off-grid at home or in a cabin, please check out our cabin kits.

Frequently Asked Questions On Diy Solar

With most utility companies, you do not need to install batteries.

Yes. The manufacturers warranties are still valid even with you installing your own system.

With the current tax incentives to go solar, our DIY solar customers average ROI is less than 5 years.

Yes! We have a few different options to finance your solar system.

We have helped people in all stages of life with many different backgrounds successfully install their own solar. We believe that any physically capable person can install their own solar.

Depends on your specific needs and system requirements. Contact us today for your free quote!

No worries. We can connect you with one of our vetted and approved installers to pick up the project where you left it and take it through to the finish line.

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Best Home Solar Kit For Easy Installation

If you are looking for the easiest DIY home solar panel kit, this is the one for you. This residential solar power kit produces 5,000 watts of energy with an advanced microinverter system, so there are no DC wires to run. The DC to AC conversion happens right under the solar panels with 240V AC power.

When you purchase this kit from GoGreenSolar, youll also get free technical support, giving you the confidence to install it right the first time. It doesnt get any easier than that.

This kit includes all the solar panels, microinverters, roof mounting hardware youll need, plus a monitoring system and a shopping list of all the site-specific parts youll need to buy locally.

Our rating: 5/5. We give this one a perfect score for an easy DIY installation.

Are Solar Panel Kits Suitable For Going Off

Solar panel kits are excellent for going off-grid because they are very portable and are designed with the elements in mind. Their aluminum frames make them incredibly lightweight, and the kits can come in handy when you arent near any other energy supply source. They can help charge and operate all the basics when youre on the road without compromising efficiency rates.

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Best Solar Kit For A Larger Home

Larger homes may use more electricity, but they also have more room on the roof for a more expansive solar panel system. This solar panel kit with Enphase Ensemble Backup Power is a top pick featuring 10kW of efficient solar panels and 20kWh of battery backup. This system produces enough energy to take a big chunk out of those hefty electric bills and provides AC power to run lights, the refrigerator, and small appliances during a power outage.

Our rating: 5/5. This solar panel kit includes all the fixings plus battery backup, so we give this five stars.

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Do I Need Any Permits To Install A Solar Panel Kit

In some states, you will require a permit to install a solar panel kit. In most cases, independent panels that will not be connected to outside electrical grids, such as those installed on RVs, dont require a permit.

However, youll almost certainly need a permit if youre installing a solar panel kit on your house. The exact process varies by state, so youll need to check the guidelines in your area. Most regions manage this at the city level , so check with your local government first.

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Watt Diy Solar Panel Kit With String Inverter

Why we like it: The most common and mature technology in solar power generation where solar panels directly connected to the inverter supply electricity to loads or to the electricity grid. This solar panel kit can satisfy home and small business consumption. A monitoring option is also available with this solar panel kit. Above all, it is one of the cheapest options to generate solar power due to the lack of other power refining equipment. Mono-crystalline panels connected to the Sunnyboy string inverter satisfy all of your needs if the sun is present in a good amount for you without any shade.

Editors rating: 3.5/5

• Solar panel:Tier 1 60 cell Mono-crystalline solar panel. 17 in number
• Inverter: SMA Sunny Boy grid-tied string inverter
• Panels mounting- IronRidge racking structure.
• Monitoring system

Other components required are to be bought from your nearest home depot for which a list will be provided.

Design: The PhonoSolar 60 cell monocrystalline solar panels, 17 in number for the 5kW system are connected to the Sunny Boy string inverter. Direct current or DC from solar panels connected to each other is supplied to the string inverter and DC power is converted to AC power. Through a junction box or control panel, this electricity is supplied to loads at home or to the electricity grid if generation is in excess of being used at home.

A 5kW solar panel kit facing south in the USA or Canada, getting 5 hours of direct sun each day can produce 350 850 kWh in a month.

Pros:

Everything You Need To Know About Buying Solar Panels And Kits

When you want to be more environmentally friendly, reduce electricity usage, or go off the grid, inexpensive renewable energy systems for solar power are a wise choice. Solar panel kits allow you to collect energy from the sun and either use it immediately or store it in the form of charged batteries to use later. On eBay, you can choose from many capacities, features, styles, and types of affordable solar panel kits.

Types of new or used solar panel kits for sale

The available types of renewable energy kits for solar power include:

• Off-grid solar systems: These do not connect to an electrical grid. Their subtypes include marine, vehicle, portable, camping, RV, garden, electronics, and home.
• Grid-tied solar systems: These connect to a municipal or privately owned electrical grid. They can be used to sell back excess power and distribute it to the grid. These include municipal, home, commercial, agricultural, aquaculture, and irrigation systems.
• Hybrid: These systems can be connected to or removed from the electrical grid at any time.

The features of cool renewable energy systems include:

Styles of technology you’ll find in solar energy panels

The technology styles include:

• Amorphous thin panel: This style is photovoltaic film on a substrate of glass, plastic, or metal.
• Monocrystalline: These use single crystal silicone for increased efficiency of energy collection.
• Polycrystalline: Comprising multiple silicone cells, this type costs less to make than monocrystalline panels.

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Best For Traveling: Acopower 12v 120w

Product Ratings

Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 1 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Watts: 120W | Volts: 12V | Panel Type: Monocrystalline | Includes Battery: No | Solar Charge Controller Included: Yes and No. You can purchase the kit without the charge controller

What We Liked

• The MC4 connectors between the panel and the charge controller can be used to bypass the controller and hook into another controller for a multi-panel system
• Unique suitcase design makes it very portable and easy to transport
• Built-in standing legs to put it in place and holes to tie it up, if needed

What We DidntLike

• Design flaw with the wiring to the charge controller
• Even though its made with great materials, you can fin more durable options

For those who are perpetual nomads, the ACOPOWER solar panel kit is here to meet your needs. With a useful and unique folding panel design, the kit makes assembly and packing up a breeze.

The lightweight and compact panel construction means those who are always on the go can tuck their panels in the trunk or stowaway compartment when you arent using them.

The panel kit also comes with a LandStar 10A PWM charge controller which includes a USB output and alligator clamps for battery charging. You can tuck these extra additions away into the front pocket of the carrying case for easy access.

Our Experience

The entire kit is really light and can be reduced down to a size of 22 inches by 17 inches by 50 inches.

A Safe And Secure Solar Panel System

A solar power system ensures you are equipped in the event of an outage from a natural disaster, whether you choose to ground mount or install your solar panel kits on the roof of your home. Regardless of the choice you make, you will no longer rely on the city or town grid solar system and reduce or totally eliminate your monthly electric bill.

Even better, order a grid-tiedsolar panel system to sell some of that energy back to the energy company. Each home and its necessities are different, so it is important to evaluate all the options and determine what works best for you. Although it can initially seem confusing, use our guide on how to size a solar system before you order your solar panel kit.

Which solar power kit is right for me?

Every project is unique so were here to help you determine the right kit for you. Our knowledgeable team of techs will answer your questions and make sure you select the appropriate kit for your project. Or browse our resources, videos, and guides to help decide which solar system kit best suits your needs.

What does my solar kit contain?What if my energy needs change?

Our designers are experts at building flexible systems that can grow right along with your energy needs. Solar panel kits make the perfect starting point for a project that may need more energy down the line. We customize each kit for your needs, so that your system is expandable to account for increases in energy consumption.

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Its Sustainable And Renewable

Solar energy is extraordinarily sustainable as an energy source. While the amount of energy available varies by location, the sun is an unlimited source of energy for all practical purposes.

Every second, the sun produces up to 384.6 septillion watts of energy. It is an immensely powerful, virtually never-ending source .

It shines every day, and even heavy cloud cover cant stop a sufficiently large solar grid from producing enough energy to meet demands.

Solar Panel System Kits

Ready to set up your own solar power system? Our solar power kits include everything you will need to install your own energy system! Our kits include solar panels, solar inverters, wiring diagrams, batteries, and even mounting hardware to make installation quick and easy. If you’re not sure which system is best for you or you don’t see exactly what you need, our staff can help! We can answer any questions you have or can custom design a solar PV system or kit based on your needs at no additional cost!

Give us a call at 383-0195 or you can send us an email from our Contact Us page.

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How Much Does An Off Grid Solar Kit Cost

When it comes to putting in an off-grid solar system, you need to be prepared to cover a fairly substantial cost. What it comes down to is how much power do you need. Its the type of system that is expensive during installation, but in the long run? Installing an off-grid power system will pay off in a major way when you no longer have monthly utility bills that are subjected to rate hikes.

A smaller off-grid solar system that has enough wattage to run smaller appliances and other small duties, such as charging phones, will cost approximately $20,000.00 at time of publishing. If you are looking to go completely off-grid and remove other sources of electricity then you are looking at spending approximately $50,000.00 $70,000.00 for installation and start-up.

It is important to remember as well that when you install an off-grid solar system, the costs doesnt stop once installation is complete. There are on-going maintenance costs for the upkeep of the generator, fuel costs to run the system, and maintenance costs on the batterys and wires.

This can become pricy if you are running only an off-grid system but it truly depends on the rationale for leaving the local utility company. If you want to live a more alternative and greener lifestyle? Then an off grid system powered by the sun and backed up with fuel and batteries is the right path.

Warranty Available Or Not

Solar panel kit supplier giving warranty assurance on panels is a must when going for such installation. Solar panel manufacturers claim 25 years are working life of solar panels. String inverters can go for 10 years and micro-inverters can go for 20 years. It depends on the type of technology used and the efficacy of the manufacturer on the tested and proven life of components.

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What Is The Best Off Grid Solar System Kit

You want to determine how much power you need for your off grid home. Next, narrow down the best off-grid solar systems because there are so many options to choose from. Before making any final decisions on a particular system, it is always recommended that you complete research on different styles of off-grid solar systems.

Determine the size of the solar system required, choose a company that has a solid reputation with both installation and customer service, and ensure that your current climate will be able to harness enough energy to power the chosen system.

How Easy Is It To Install A Solar Power System Kit

In many cases, beginners can install solar power system kits for themselves. Manufacturers want to keep complexity as low as possible with these starter kits, which means most systems are no more complicated than connecting the correct wires to each part.

The real complexity of installing one of the best solar panel kits comes from mounting them on brackets at the correct angle. Getting the right angle is key to maximizing the effectiveness of the panel throughout the year.

The best angle for a solar panel depends on the latitude, with the goal being to get the panel as perpendicular to the sun as possible. The sun moves throughout the year, so unless you get particularly fancy with the installation, it wont be perfect. It can, however, be good enough.

The best angles range from 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, although this can vary somewhat depending on where you live. Other factors like the presence of trees or exposure to the weather can also affect the best angle to install a solar panel kit at.

Most solar panel starter kit models ship with Z brackets, which slightly elevate them away from whatever youre installing them to without sacrificing durability. You might need other components to change the installation angle.

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