Did You Know That DIY Solar Power Systems Are Cheaper Than Installing Commercial Solar Panels?

Using solar energy and converting it to an electrical power that we can use is an idea that appeals to many. The sun, being an alternative source of energy, is never depleted unlike the fossil fuels that power the world today. Converting solar energy into electricity does not produce carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly endeavor. And once the solar system is installed, operational and maintenance cost is very minimal. Thus, we can conclude that solar power is the next best thing to having free and green electricity.

But we all know that to be able to rid our homes of the monthly electric bills and completely live off the grid, we must spend a hefty amount to install commercial solar panels atop our roofs, which can supply 100% of our regular electricity consumption. And a lot of people who are dreaming of free electricity are taken aback by high upfront installation cost.

So does the dream of solar powered-homes remain true only for those who can afford it? It seems not.

A growing community of hobbyists, particularly those concerned with finding green, safe and renewable energy sources, is one in saying that DIY solar power system is possible and it doesn't have to cost that much. This is done by using small, inexpensive but highly efficient solar panels, batteries, an inverter, a few wires, cables and other electrical components. And what made it cheaper is the fact that you're doing all the work.

But of course, this doesn't mean that you can start unplugging your house from the energy companies and go solar all the way once the project is completed. Most of these DIY solar system kits are small-scale and can store and generate only enough power to light a bulb for a few days, run a laptop computer for 2 days or a 20-inch TV for a day.

But the real advantage here is the long-term benefit. Solar panels, even those that are DIY, can last up to 20 to 25 years, with only a slight reduction in efficiency. What this means is you can enjoy 20 to 25 years of free electricity at a fraction of the cost of commercial installations. And these DIY solar power kits are usually upgradeable. You can buy more components later and integrate them with the existing system to be able to harness more solar energy and deliver more electricity.