New Solar Energy Panels Could Be A Do It Yourself Investment

Solar energy is entering an excellent phase and there are many reasons to turn to this plentiful and basically free source of energy. However, one of the main reasons many people do not go solar is due to the expense imposed on the homeowner. However, there is an option for those persons possessing intermediate skills in the do it yourself arena and that is self installation. While not every budget will accommodate a full conversion to solar energy, when choosing to install it on their own, the handyman can determine just how many panels will be installed.

There are various ways to approach the self installation of solar panels. A person who is very skilled might choose to design their own system and install it from the ground up, ordering their parts as they choose. A person with medium level skills might choose a solar energy kit with all the parts included. This can be the best option for those who are unsure about the exact parts needed for the job.

Advanced planning is necessary when considering a solar installation project. Part of the installation process will involve working with electrical components. This may well be within the skills of some craftsmen but if it is not then a qualified electrician might be called in to be sure the wiring is up to code and safe for use. This perhaps is the one aspect of the installation project where a homeowner might be wise to call in a professional at least after the wiring is ready to go.

An inverter is an essential part of the package in solar units intended to produce power for the home. If the homeowner has purchased a very small package the inverters will usually not handle new panels. More expensive models of inverters are capable of accepting additional panels. There are other considerations as well with the installation of solar panels and both have to do with the placement of the panels on the roof.

The first consideration comes with attaching the panels to the roof. These must be securely attached to either rafters or joists for stability. Anything that is intended to remain stationery on a roof must be securely attached and joists and rafters are the most logical choice. The panels should also be perfectly aligned, and a laser sight or a chalk marker will help maintain that straight alignment.

While how securely the solar panels are attached is important, where they are attached is also important. Each moment that a panel can collect sunlight is that much more energy that can be stored and used for your home. That means that any obstructions should be removed such as trees between the panels and the sun. In the case of buildings, which might shade the panel for part of the day, moving them is usually not an option. The homeowner should check the other side of the roof for a sunnier place if shaded panels might be a problem.

Sustainable energy is not only popular with individuals but also supported by states and some federal programs in the U. S. The homeowner should research the possible sources of rebates and even financing available. With that extra support the panels might be extended to cover much more area even for those with limited budgets.

Not every homeowner can or even wants to install their own solar panels. However, if a family decided to take the plunge to solar energy, these short term expenses will be replaced with long term savings. The last point to make is that though self installation is possible, a homeowner should be confident in their ability to do it correctly, because any errors will not be reimbursable by the installer. 

Articles about non-traditional energy sources are available on numerous Internet websites. You can learn how solar energy can be tapped to provide a clean and limitless source of power for your home and community.