DIY Solar Panels: Build Your Own At Home

Getting our gas or electricity cost reduced while contributing to less greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere is doable and as simple as sipping a soft drink or several, because we will need a few aluminum cans to make our homemade solar panel.

After gathering all of the cans, the first step is to hold them at the base and then glue them all together with a high-temperature-resistant silicone. We must not forget that when the cans are exposed to the sun, hot air will circulate inside them.

We install many columns of perforated cans in a wooden box, but always leave a chamber at the beginning and end of each column so that the air inlet and outlet are not hindered. We will paint all of the cans black (which will also help it get hotter) and the wooden frame white, and we will insulate the heater by covering the entire front of the DIY solar panel with plexiglass (polycarbonate / acrylic).

We will already have our homemade solar panel in which we will introduce cold air through one of the chambers and when leaving the other, after passing through the hot cans, it will return to us with a temperature that will allow us to easily maintain the 20 or 21oC centigrade in the stay of our department.

Another creative option to make our own solar panel is to use plastic bottles, which we will paint black once they are clean and dried. We can almost finish it if we fill them three-quarters full of water, compress them so that the water contacts the cap, and place them in a cardboard box with the bottom and interior sides coated with aluminum foil. It will be sufficient to position the box towards the south with an inclination of around 45 percent with respect to the ground, and we will have hot water for your enjoyment within 2 to 5 hours.

If, on the other hand, we want a more professional-looking handmade solar panel, we can acquire it, albeit we will need to be more adept DIY enthusiasts. The solar cells will be the primary component of these panels, since we will require approximately 36 of these cells to generate approximately 12 volts, adding them as if they were batteries (alternating positive and negative poles).

Using epoxy glue, wire, and a soldering iron, we will assemble all of the cells on a wooden or acrylic panel and protect them with plexiglass, similar to that used to preserve cans. We’ll be almost finished with our handmade solar panel, all that remains is to connect the cells to a battery with a regulator in between to prevent overcharging. The final stage in using electricity in our gadgets will be to transfer the power through an inverter, which will convert the 12 volts of direct current to the 120 volts of alternating current used in a typical house.

Professional or DIY Solar Installation?

When you decide to install solar energy in your home, you must determine whether to hire a professional or do it yourself. But should you pay for professional installation or go the DIY route and install the system yourself? Consider the benefits and drawbacks of both DIY and professional solar installation before making a decision.

Many individuals are unaware that they can build their own solar panel system. This installation approach is not without its difficulties, but it also has some significant advantages.

What are the benefits of doing it yourself?

Lower costs: Solar kits are less expensive than employing a solar energy firm, and you will no longer have to pay for a professional to install your system. Professionally installed solar panels can cost $ 7 to $ 9 per watt, which means a 5 kilowatt (kW) system might cost $ 35,000 to $ 45,000 before incentives.

Because you won’t have to pay installation fees if you install your own system, you can keep your prices as low as $ 3 per watt. Those reductions could reduce the overall cost of a 5 kW system to $ 15,000 or less, depending on the make and quality of the panel.

Simple access: Because solar power has become a popular energy source for households, you can buy a solar home kit online from a wholesaler like Amazon.

If you hire a professional installer, you may have to wait several weeks for the equipment to arrive and plan an installation date. When you install the matrix yourself, you can do so whenever you wish.

What are the disadvantages of DIY solar installation?

Setup is complicated: While there are many solar panel installation tutorials available online, you will still need to be skilled with building and electrical work to effectively install a home solar array.

In addition to sizing your system and acquiring equipment, you will need to properly connect the panels and inverter, and then wire the inverter to a battery or meter. There is a risk of fire or electric shock if you are not comfortable working with electricity.

Scope is limited: Most solar kits are intended for off-grid use, and utility companies sometimes refuse to enable homeowners to connect a solar array to the grid without the proper permits and professional clearance.

Going off the grid can be difficult for the average homeowner who still wants to use their utility company’s electricity. If you are not linked to the grid, you must guarantee that your solar panels are always providing enough electricity to fulfill your demands.

DIY solar installation is a wonderful alternative for those who wish to power a location outside of their home, such as a barn, shed, or motorhome, because these facilities are already off-grid and do not require as much electricity as a home.

DIY solar installation may also be the ideal alternative for people who currently live off-grid and are confident in their ability to figure out the process on their own.

What are the benefits of doing it by a professional?

More knowledge: For years, some of the larger solar firms have been installing solar house systems. You can feel more confident if you use a professional firm because many jurisdictions require installers to be licensed and meet predetermined standards to install solar panels.

Furthermore, because most established firms have dealt with hundreds of customers, they can assist you in determining how much solar power your home requires and how much solar power you can obtain prior to installation.

Premium materials and assurances: While professional installation is more expensive than a DIY kit, in most cases you pay for superior quality – a significant issue given that decent solar panel systems can endure for decades.

Solar installers can frequently purchase equipment from merchants that they do not sell to the general public, giving them access to higher-quality panels and supplies that a Home Depot kit cannot provide.

Some solar companies even have their own panel technology that vastly outperforms industry norms. Furthermore, most competent installers offer warranties on their work, so any future repairs may be covered.

Professional installation has some significant advantages, but it also has some disadvantages.

What are the disadvantages of doing it by a professional?

More paperwork and red tape: Before a professional installs your system, you will be required to complete a significant amount of documentation. Before work can begin, all necessary permissions and applications must be completed and properly filed.

While the company will assist you with this process, it may delay the timetable, resulting in a longer period for the system to be operational.

In addition, if you are denied a permit or your utility company has tight laws about solar panels, your installation options may be limited.

Higher upfront expenses: As previously stated, the costs of professional solar installation often outweigh the costs of DIY home solar kits.

Many professional solar firms want upfront payment, so you’ll either need cash or apply for a solar loan. Many people cannot afford to pay between $ 35,000 and $ 45,000 in cash, and some may not want to apply for, or deal with, the additional interest on a loan.

While professional solar installation is more expensive, it makes more sense for the typical homeowner who does their research online. You won’t have to worry about repairing the damage yourself with quality materials and warranties, and you’ll feel more confident knowing that your system is properly built and approved by your utility company.

You can better pick which installation method is ideal for your case now that you’ve read the advantages and downsides of each. Next, look into the firm or brand of system that best meets your budget and power requirements.

3 reasons to install your DIY solar kit right away (instead of later)

If you follow industry news, it may appear that the delay is justified. After all, interesting new solar technology developments are always making headlines. Should you postpone your home PV installation now that more efficient PV components are on the horizon?

However, when many essential facts are considered, it is easy to see why waiting may not be the best option.

New solar technology will be available soon: Scientists all over the world are always attempting to enhance photovoltaic components, and their findings could eventually lead to the development of more efficient solar panels.

The issue is that new house PV technologies take years to develop and millions of dollars to commercialize. Many seemingly interesting innovations never make it out of the lab.

So, while new PV technologies may sound appealing, waiting for them to work is not a viable option.

Right now, a DIY solar kit can effectively save your home: Today’s DIY solar panel kits include top-of-the-line photovoltaic components that are backed by industry-standard warranties.

This technology has been tried and tested and proven to function. If you go solar now, your PV array will give you decades of free electricity with little to no maintenance.

Because new technologies are not tested over time, they may not function as planned. Although laboratory results are promising, no one knows how photovoltaic components will perform in a few years.

Do you want to be a guinea pig when you invest in your energy independence? Install a DIY solar panel kit today and you won’t have to worry about the long-term viability and efficacy of your house PV installation.

Install a DIY Solar Kit and your savings will begin immediately: Let us now discuss money. Solar panels and photovoltaic home equipment prices are unlikely to fall considerably in the coming years. Manufacturing has already been optimized, thus costs cannot be reduced further.

Furthermore, today’s financial advantages for installing a home PV system can reduce your investment expenses by thousands of dollars. The federal solar tax credit only provides a 30% refund, however various state and local rebates, tax credits, and gifts significantly improve your savings.

However, these lucrative advantages can vanish at any time. The federal solar tax credit will expire in 2021, but it could be sooner. Many state and local PV incentives are already on their way out.

Install a DIY solar panel kit today, and you won’t lose out on any of these opportunities to reduce the cost of your PV investment. Furthermore, you will experience immediate savings because your monthly utility expenses will be significantly cut or possibly eliminated.