Solar Power Kits Vs DIY Solar Power Systems

As more and more people choose to switch to a renewable power source such as solar energy, more do-it-yourself options hit the market. Building and installing solar energy panels is not a difficult job, there are even solar power kits available that package all the materials and instructions together.

Do-it-yourself Solar power kits should come complete with detailed instructions, this is important if you are going to install it yourself. If you are having an installer put it in, make sure they are familiar with the type of solar power kit you are purchasing.

All good solar power kits are expandable. Much like buying a computer, you don't want to have to start over when you decide to upgrade or add parts. Make sure the kit you decide on is easily expandable to support your future power needs.

How Much Power Do I Need?

To determine the correct sized kit for your need, you need to know how much power you consume. You can run around tallying your appliances and gadgets and then research their power use and how often you use them; do some multiplications and hope you are accurate in your determination.

A much simpler and more accurate method would be to call your power company. They can give you your monthly electricity usage for the past 12 months and you can determine your daily average from there. You will also get a much more accurate measurement this way.

Armed with your monthly power usage needs you can then decide on the most suitable solar power kits for your home. You might want to purchase a kit that covers only a portion of your needs and upgrade later. Doing this lets you see how the solar energy performs in your home without spending too much money upfront.

No matter what percentage of power you are going to replace, find out if the system you are buying includes a battery backup. Battery backups are a must if you absolutely cannot tolerate the occasional blackout. However, they can be expensive to maintain and must be replaced over time.

If, however, you are staying on the power company's grid and using an inter-tied system, you don't have to worry about that. Plus, you also save more money by selling your excess power back to them, especially during the summer months. This type of solar power system requires little or no maintenance.

Last, but by no means least, check into the dealer you are considering buying from. Even as a do-it-yourself project you are spending money. Make sure that the company is reputable. Ask around; make some calls to ask questions. If they are hesitant to answer your questions, find another dealer.

Choosing solar power kits is not difficult; it just takes a little research. You need to know how much power your system needs to generate and you need to feel confident you are dealing with a reputable company. Once you armed with that information you are ready to go solar.

Is there a Cheaper Alternative to Solar Power Kits?

In general, complete pre-packaged DIY solar power kits can save you a lot of money when compared to paying someone to supply and install a complete professional system. However, many people still go for the expensive professional option simply because the installation is hassle free and they don't need to spend time doing much research up-front.

What many people don't consider is that the higher the set-up cost is, the longer it will take for the system to actual start saving you money. A $5000 dollar solar power system that saves you $50 a month on you energy bill will take over 8 years to pay for itself!

What about a Complete DIY Solar Power System?

Imagine if I gave you a shopping list of all the materials you would need to build a DIY solar power system and all those components came to under $200. 

Also, what if this shopping list came with step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and videos on how to put the system together.

The cost of your DIY solar power system would be a tiny fraction of the cost of a professional system, and also significantly cheaper than a complete DIY solar power kit.

You may not be aware, but there are now some great "how to" guides available on Internet that provide step-by-step instructions on how to build a DIY solar power system, rather than pay much more for complete solar power kits.

There are now several "how to" guides available, some good, some very bad, but the best guides are aimed at anyone who is capable of using a drill and doing some basic wiring.

Which One Should You Choose?

I recommend that if you are on a small budget your first step to moving to solar power should be a complete DIY solar power system. It works out so much cheaper than the alternatives that it's a no-brainer if you possess basic do-it-yourself skills.

If you can't be bothered building a system from scratch, a DIY solar power kit is the next best option. They are a lot more expensive than sourcing the material yourself, but are basically ready-to-go.

If cost is not an issue and you a simply wanting to "go green" then a professional solar power supplier and installer is the obvious choice.

On the site I publish a list of my top 3 recommended guides for building DIY solar and wind power system. You can check my latest top 3 by clicking here: Top 3 Homemade Power Guides.