Homeowners and businesses are turning to solar power to reduce their energy bills. One of the fastest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system is by purchasing a DIY solar power kit. But before you make such a purchase, you should be familiar with these five important aspects.
Dimension of the Solar Panels
The DIY solar power kit must indicate the exact measurements of the solar panels, because this will let you know if you have enough roof space for the solar module. The weight of the solar panels should also be indicated — especially if you have roof tiles, since this can determine whether your roof can support the solar panels. The dimension and weight are needed to determine if your roof is structurally stable for the added load.
Total Power Generation
Before installing any DIY solar power kit, you must first calculate how much power is consumed in your home. Then decide on the number of appliances you’ll be connecting to your solar power system. Once you’ve come up with a figure, buy the appropriate DIY solar power kit. There are kits of different sizes available to meet your requirements; additionally, some kits can be interconnected if one is not enough.
Durability
The solar power panels are exposed to the harsh elements of nature, such as sun, rain, hail and snow. The frame should be made out of durable material, like aluminum. The solar cells should be covered with tempered glassed.
Long-Term Warranty
The return on investment or ROI for DIY solar power kits can take years. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. It is recommended to get one with a 20- to 25-year warranty period on solar panels.
Installation and Maintenance
Get a DIY solar power kit that’s easy to install. There are kits available on the market that contain all the components needed to start your own solar power system. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Look for solar panels that require at least an annual scrubbing to keep the panels working at maximum potential.
These are the five important things you need to consider before purchasing a DIY solar power kit. There might be other factors I forgot to include above. If you can think of anything else, please share it with us in the comments.
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That’s so true about the warranty. Solar panels are so expensive that making back your investment money takes a really long time. Without a warranty to back it up, you risk losing all that potential economic benefit, plus if it breaks down and you have to switch to conventional power, you won’t be helping the environment.
I think that it should also be noted that the solar panel dimensions and roof size are only part of the puzzle. You also have to consider the orientation of your roof since solar panels need to face toward the equator for best efficiency. I’ve seen many large sized roofs that are just not set up well for panels.
Hello,
What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?
Really great post, enjoyed reading it. Thanks,
Claire