If you decide to install solar power DIY, we recommend the following steps to find out how to best proceed with your project.
1. Plan
The first step is to determine a suitable location on your property to install solar panels. If possible, it’s best to install your panels in an area of your roof that receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year. If your home is surrounded by tall buildings or trees and is always in the shade, DIY solar panels may not be such an attractive option unless you also plan to purchase a backup battery.
Permits also need to be considered. Depending on how your DIY solar panels are configured and installed, you may need permits from your local building department or power company. Solar panels permanently attached to your roof are classified as a home upgrade and may be subject to a building permit.
Grid-connected solar panels must also be approved by your utility company. Power companies provide a list of technical requirements to ensure electrical safety. Permits are often the most difficult step in a DIY solar project, as they must meet legally enforced technical specifications. However, off-grid solar power systems are typically exempt from permits because they are projects that do not involve remodeling a home or connecting to the local power grid.
2. System design
There are some important questions to answer before setting up a DIY solar panel system.
Solar panels used in DIY projects are typically smaller than those used by professional installers. PV modules included in DIY solar kits are typically in the 50-200W range, while larger modules used in rooftop installations often exceed 350W.
To easily estimate your annual power generation in kilowatt-hours, you can multiply the total wattage of your solar panels by 1.2. For example, a DIY solar system with eight 100W modules would have a total capacity of 800W and generate approximately 960 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. The system costs 20 cents/kWh, saving you approximately $192 per year compared to traditional electricity bills.
DIY solar panels typically cannot be connected to the electrical grid, so a battery backup system is required. You need to add up the total wattage of all the devices you plan to power with solar energy and find a battery that can deliver this wattage. Lithium-ion batteries are recommended over traditional lead-acid batteries because they are safer to use and more durable.
3. Installation
Solar panels should be positioned so that maximum sunlight hits the surface. For the United States, which is in the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels should be tilted to the south because more sunlight reaches from half of the sky. To determine the best tilt angle for your solar panels, visit the World Bank’s Global Solar Atlas and click on your location.
Many DIY solar panels come with an adjustable kickstand to support the panel. However, if you are considering permanently installing solar power in your home, you will need a suitable racking system or roof mount. The list below outlines some factors to consider.
For upright seam metal roofs, the solar rack system can be mounted directly with clamp mounts. No holes need to be drilled into the roof structure. Installing solar panels on other types of roofs requires through-mounts, which require drilling. Ground-mounted solar installations are also an option if you have enough space on your site and can avoid the risks associated with working on roofs at height.
A solar inverter is a device that converts direct current or DC power produced by a panel’s PV modules into alternating current or AC power that is used to power your home. There are two main configuration options.
String inverter: All solar panels are wired into a DC circuit and connected to a central inverter for power conversion. Microinverter: Each solar panel is equipped with a microinverter that converts the output into AC power. No DC string circuit or mains inverter required.
4. Obtaining an operating permit
The main bottleneck for many DIY solar projects is permitting. As mentioned above, if you are installing solar panels permanently on your roof, you will likely need a building permit, and if you want a grid-tied system, you will need an interconnection permit. Most power companies will not allow you to interconnect your solar panels unless they are professionally installed.
next step
There are many useful resources to help you learn more about solar panel technology, costs, and incentive programs available across the United States.
Use the drop-down menu below to see solar incentive options in your state.
