Are you the type of person who enjoys a bit of DIY around the home? Are you of the opinion that doing things yourself instead of hiring professionals, is a good way to save money? Well, you’re not alone. But when it comes to such things as installing a solar panel system, while you might get some enjoyment out of adopting the DIY approach, it almost certainly isn’t going to save you any money.
Let’s look at what’s actually involved in installing and setting up a solar panel system:
What are some of the costs associated with a solar panel array?
If you’re installing solar panels yourself, along with the panels, you’ll need to purchase inverters, charge controllers, batteries, and all of the hardware necessary to mount the system.
Solar panels alone can cost upwards of $200 each, and the inverter (essential for converting solar energy into electricity), will likely add at least a couple of thousand dollars to your bill. Once you’ve factored in a battery back-up system (for giving you a consistent supply of green energy, whatever the circumstances), charge controllers to protect them, and the hardware necessary for mounting the panels, you’ve got a pretty hefty bill.
While buying a system from an installation company still comes at a price, they will be able to offer you it at a much more competitive rate, and of course, they will install it professionally.
Let’s move on to the installation itself.
What does solar panel system installation entail?
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as buying the panels and attaching them to your roof. Electrical work is required, and it’s absolutely essential that all necessary safety standards are met. It might even be necessary to make structural modifications to your home, which the average DIYer certainly isn’t qualified to do.
As well as the skilled labor involved, there’s the time it takes to carry out the installation, which can amount to a good few hours, if not days.
What are the main challenges involved with DIY solar panel installation?
Outlined below are the main challenges faced by DIYers keen to try and save money by installing a solar panel system themselves:
Without an adequate understanding of electrical systems and how to install the panels safely and securely, panels can easily be installed wrongly, affecting their overall functionality.
If the solar panels aren’t angled correctly to optimize sunlight exposure, the system’s efficiency can be seriously compromised. Mistakes made when installing, can even lead to safety risks or a complete system failure.
Permits and permissions will likely need to be granted for any solar panel installation, and without guidance from an installation company, this can be a hassle you could do without.
Not having a professional panel installation company to advise you of what to do should repairs be needed, and how to maintain your system to optimize its performance all year round, you could encounter a whole host of problems, not least, decreased performance and a shorter lifespan for the system as a whole.
While a professionally installed solar panel system can (and likely will) increase the value of your home, a system that hasn’t been professionally installed, is not likely to have as much of an impact on its resale value.
Beware that your insurance provider might also require your solar system to be certified, something you may struggle to obtain if going down the DIY route.
While these can significantly reduce the cost of a solar panel system installation, they may not be available to someone who has installed their own system.
While it can be tempting to focus on ways to reduce the cost of a solar panel system, such as installing it yourself, rarely does this actually result in cost savings. From missing out on government rebates, to failing to optimize sunlight through mis-positioned panels, the cost of a DIY installation, simply doesn’t add up.
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