Solar panels can save you money and increase your energy independence. If you want to save even more money, you can DIY your solar panels. This requires more research and effort, but can lower the overall cost of the system.
Can I make my own solar panel?
You can build your own solar panels by purchasing individual solar cells, shatterproof glass, and the necessary wire and soldering equipment to assemble the panels (0).
Electrical knowledge is required to correctly and safely select cell voltage and power.
DIY solar panels don’t come with warranties like commercially available panels, so you need to buy quality equipment.
However, this level of do-it-yourself work generally does not provide a cost advantage. DIY enthusiasts often use solar panel kits to create small-scale systems for their RVs or tiny homes, or use pre-made panels to create their own DIY solar panel systems. You can save.
How to DIY a solar panel system
If you’re willing to invest more time and effort than money, DIYing your own system using manufactured panels may be the solution.
1. Evaluate and plan your roof or ground area
Solar panels work best on south-facing roofs with an angle of 15 to 40 degrees. The roof area should have as little shade as possible (0). Measure your roof, draw the ideal locations for the panels, and calculate their number.
Evaluate how much power you want to generate and determine the potential output of your system. Calculate the size of batteries, solar panels, and wiring to properly flow electricity without overloading or overheating the system. Free tools can help you model your system, but if you don’t have electrical engineering experience, you’ll need to do quite a bit of research.
2. Understand interconnection and authorization requirements
If you want to connect your system to the power grid, please contact your power company. Even if you intend to go off-grid, some municipalities may require permits. “It is technically possible to DIY some parts of your solar panel installation. However, most jurisdictions have engineering drawings, permits, inspections, and licensing requirements that can make it difficult.” , Dan Massard, CEO of Guardian Home, a Florida-based solar installation company, said in an email.
3. Source your equipment carefully
Your exact needs will vary, but you’ll definitely need to source solar panels, mounting/racking supplies, power supplies, inverter systems, batteries, and related supplies.
You can buy inexpensive used panels and batteries, or you can buy new ones from manufacturers that offer some kind of warranty or guarantee on their products.
“All of my solar panels have been purchased second-hand from online sources. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are two sites I use when searching,” says noted DIY solar expert and , energy efficiency YouTuber David Posluszny said in an email. “You can buy used panels for much less than retail prices.”
4. Install it yourself or contract project elements piecemeal
Many people choose to do some parts of the installation process themselves and outsource other parts of the process for a little less than the cost of a complete installation. For example, a professional installer may quote a lower rate if you only need someone to physically install a system you designed, sourced, and permitted yourself. It depends on who is available in your area and how flexible they are.
How much does it cost to DIY a solar panel system?
According to EnergySage, a comparison marketplace for solar and home energy products founded in 2012, the average price for an 11 kW solar panel system is $29,926 before federal tax credits(0). Anecdotally, DIY users can install systems at significantly lower costs, but there is no definitive data on all DIY installations.
Instead, the expected savings vary. You might save as little as 10% on a partial DIY project that you design and source yourself, then subcontract to a professional piece by piece. Or you could save 50% on a complete DIY project using used panels/batteries. At the end of the day, your savings depend on so many factors that it’s better to get a quote from a professional in your area as a baseline and price your own project against it. .
However, to make this system worthwhile, you also need to value your time. If this project is very fulfilling for you personally and you have the time anyway, it will be easier to value that time at a lower rate. If you have limited free time or don’t like the manual labor or planning aspect of projects, consider whether a DIY solar panel system is worth it.
Is it worth it to DIY solar panels?
In general, the biggest savings with DIY solar panel installations are found if you do thorough research and are happy with the labor time to carry out the project online after sourcing the materials.
“If you don’t feel safe, you may want to hire a licensed installer,” Poslushny says. “Keep in mind that everything, including solar power, has risks. Our goal is to minimize risks to an acceptable level. Electricity can cause harm. If at the end of your journey you still feel like you’re missing something important, definitely hire a qualified installer/electrician/constructor. Please. ”
Benefits of DIY solar panels
You could potentially save thousands of dollars in installation costs.
Professional installers may have certain limitations on what they can customize, making DIY a better option for those who want unusual or highly customized projects.
Learning about power generation and electrical work is both rewarding and fun.
Disadvantages of DIY solar panels
For people with limited free time or demanding day jobs, labor hours for DIY projects can be expensive.
It may be safer to leave the system design and installation to a professional, as research is required to ensure both system safety and cost savings.
Many PV equipment manufacturers typically sell to professional installers, so it can take more time and effort for a single buyer to source quality equipment.
