If you arrived on this page, you’ll likely be searching for one of two reasons. The first reason is that you want to know if it’s possible to build your own solar panel system.
The second reason is that you want to know how much money you can save by doing it yourself.
No problem.
Let’s get into this.
DIY Solar Panels
Can I build my own solar system?
The answer to the question is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind before starting such a project. First, while it is technically possible to build your own solar panel system, it may not be the best use of your time or resources.
This is down to the fact that to purchase the panels wholesale, you would need to purchase quite a few to make buying and building a solar system viable.
If you are only looking to install 16 panels, for example, the buying and building process will probably not be worth your time.
In addition, the price of solar panels has dropped significantly in recent years, making it more affordable to purchase a system outright and have it installed professionally.
Related: Solar Panel Stats
Can I install my own solar panels?
You can certainly install solar panels yourself, but we do not recommend it. There are a few reasons for this.
First, solar panels are quite heavy and require special equipment to install properly. Second, the electrical work required to connect the solar panel system to your home’s existing wiring is best left to a professional electrician.
And finally, most solar panel manufacturers will void their warranty if the panels are not installed by a certified professional.
Related: Solar Panels – How Do They Work?
Can I buy DIY solar panel kits?
Yes, you can purchase solar panel kits that come with everything you need to install a system, including the panels, inverter, mounts, and wiring.
However, we still recommend that you have the system installed by a certified professional. Solar panel kits are available for purchase from a variety of online retailers.
You may still build and install your own grid solar power panels if you want to utilize all of the energy generated by your solar panel system or if your property is off the grid, but the financial gains will be significantly lower owing to the lack of FT generation and export tariffs.
Related: How Solar Panels Are Installed
Making Money from the Feed-in Tariff (FIT)
What is the feed-in tariff?
The feed-in tariff was a government scheme that paid you for the electricity you generate from your solar panels. The amount you were paid depended on the size of your system, the type of tariff you are on, and how much electricity you generate.
Can I make money from the feed-in tariff?
Unfortunately, the feed-in tariff in the UK was closed on 31st March 2019. This means that you can no longer make money from the scheme.
DIY Solar Panels With Battery Storage
Can I add a storage battery to my solar system?
If you have a “storage ready” system, you already have an inverter that can simply connect a battery to your solar panel setup. In this case, a battery is quite simple to install and does not need much additional equipment.
This is particularly handy if you were looking to go off-grid, as it would allow you to store the energy generated by your solar panels during the daytime to use at night or during a power outage.
If you do not have a “storage ready” system, then you will need to purchase an additional inverter to add battery storage to your solar panel setup.
This is a more complex project and we would recommend that you have a professional electrician install the battery storage system for you.
Solar batteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the type of battery you will need depends on the size of your solar panel system.
The most common type of solar battery is a lead-acid battery, but there are also lithium-ion batteries available on the market.
Solar batteries can be expensive, so it is important to do your research to find the best option for your needs.
How does battery storage work?
Battery storage works by storing the excess electricity generated by your solar panels in a battery. This stored electricity can then be used at night or during a power outage.
Solar batteries can be either “stand-alone” or “grid-tied.” Stand-alone solar batteries are not connected to the electricity grid and are only used to store solar energy for later use.
Grid-tied solar batteries are connected to the electricity grid and can both store solar energy and provide backup power during a power outage.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to build your own solar panels?
No, it is not cheaper to build your own solar panels. This is down to economies of scale – it is simply cheaper to purchase solar panels in bulk.
In addition, the price of solar panels has dropped significantly in recent years, making it more affordable to purchase a system outright and have it installed professionally.
Is it cheaper to build your own solar panel system?
If you are building your own solar panel system on a commercial project that needs lots of solar panels, then the answer is yes. However, for most people, it is not cheaper to build their own solar panel system.
This is because solar panels that purchase solar panels in bulk get their solar panels for a much cheaper price per panel.
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