You may have heard that DIY Solar Power Systems are not worth bothering with. That they won't generate any power and that all of the guides available on the internet are worthless. Well, lets find out now.
There are two sides to the argument: those strongly in Favour of DIY solutions and those who are vocally Against them. Both sides have valid points that we will examine.
Let's first consider the Valid Disadvantages of Homemade Solar Power Systems:
- Your own time & effort needs to be spent sourcing materials, constructing and installing the system rather than leveraging off factory built systems and professional installers.
- The solar panel's power output per sq m will be less due to using damaged or second hand solar cells & panels to save cost.
- That you won't be eligible for any solar rebates as your system components have no warranties and have not been constructed or installed by certified technicians (see DSIRE website for qualification criteria).
- That your completed system is a fire hazard as it has been constructed on a wooden base and that you risk personal injury completing the fabrication & installation yourself.
Now Let's consider the Valid Advantages.
- By constructing systems yourself at a fraction of the cost you pay for professional ones you will see a positive return on your investment much more quickly. It may take a few years of use of a professional system before your electricity bill savings have added up to the purchase & install cost. With a good DIY system implemented cheaply it could take a few weeks.
- Solar panels are scalable. The power/sq m may be less but you can always add more panels to your system.
- You will develop a greater understanding of solar power & electricity by putting a system together yourself.
- You will gain a real sense of achievement having built a useful system yourself and put your skills to the test.
Now that we have covered the two sides of the argument here are some useful questions to ask yourself that will qualify you in which direction to take.
- Do you have a large solar power budget $2,500-$40,000?
- Is it essential that you qualify for regional Solar Power rebates?
If you answered
Yes to those questions then you are better off looking at professional systems. Consult your yellow pages for suppliers/installers in your area who will appraise your needs and provide quotes & rebate information.
If you answered No then ask yourself these questions.
- Do you have strong DIY skills (or at least a genuine interest in DIY)?
- Are you willing to obtain the information necessary to build your own solar power system?
- Can you be smart & safety conscious when putting your system together to reduce any risks?
If you answered Yes to these questions then congratulations! You definitely qualify as someone who could successfully build their own system that generates electricity for their home.
