This is part 1 of a 2 part article on DIY Solar.
Solar Power for home energy generation has been around for decades. The problem is that it's very expensive. Most people simply can't afford it. Consider this fact: Even if you were to totally eliminate your monthly power bill with solar power, it would still take over 20 or more years before you would recover the cost of having the system installed.
Solar power is efficient, clean and free, but getting access to it on the retail market is often not realistic for all but the most affluent consumers. This is why DIY Solar projects are becomming so popular.
Solar Power for home energy generation has been around for decades. The problem is that it's very expensive. Most people simply can't afford it. Consider this fact: Even if you were to totally eliminate your monthly power bill with solar power, it would still take over 20 or more years before you would recover the cost of having the system installed.
Solar power is efficient, clean and free, but getting access to it on the retail market is often not realistic for all but the most affluent consumers. This is why DIY Solar projects are becomming so popular.
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DIY Solar
Getting Started
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You have to understand how to size your system for your intended purpose, what the various components are and how they fit together, ways to optimize your panels for maximum power output and proper installation techniques for lower maintenance and longer system life.
Placement and tie-in to your existing electrical system are also important, as are locating the best parts for your particular application at the best prices.
It is also important to consider how you will configure your system to interact with your existing electrical supply. For instance, will you only power certain appliances? Do you want to replace commercial utility power completely? Do you plan to store extra production in batteries or sell it back to your local utility? Would you rather just supplement the energy you buy from the power company?
Placement and tie-in to your existing electrical system are also important, as are locating the best parts for your particular application at the best prices.
It is also important to consider how you will configure your system to interact with your existing electrical supply. For instance, will you only power certain appliances? Do you want to replace commercial utility power completely? Do you plan to store extra production in batteries or sell it back to your local utility? Would you rather just supplement the energy you buy from the power company?
These options are all available to you and they make DIY home solar a very flexible and convenient option. You can start as small as you want and grow your system over time. You don't have to develop an entire long term plan before you begin, but it will be easier to grow your system if you at least give these factors some consideration and plan as much as you are able to.
DIY solar conversions are becomming more and more popular with consumers in the last couple years. People are learning how to create their own solar energy systems utilizing panels they make from scratch, or that they buy used which are available from a variety of sources.
Easy to complete for anyone with basic tools and a reasonable amount of DIY project skills, creating your own solar power system is a great money saver and it's fun. It does however require a certain degree of precision.
The best way to get started is with one of the many do-it-yourself instruction guides that are available.
DIY solar conversions are becomming more and more popular with consumers in the last couple years. People are learning how to create their own solar energy systems utilizing panels they make from scratch, or that they buy used which are available from a variety of sources.
Easy to complete for anyone with basic tools and a reasonable amount of DIY project skills, creating your own solar power system is a great money saver and it's fun. It does however require a certain degree of precision.
The best way to get started is with one of the many do-it-yourself instruction guides that are available.