With increased awareness of global warming and rising energy prices, many of us realise the benefits of alternative energy sources. The cost of solar panels can be quite high (even with Government rebates), which makes DIY home solar power a very attractive option.

Why would you do it?

With a desire to do your bit to save the environment, a sense of adventure, and/or save some money, DIY home solar power makes perfect sense.

Solar power is freely available, and can be converted into electricity that can power your home. Solar kits can be quite efficient. The amount of electricity generated will depend on a combination of factors – the number of solar panels used, the wattage of the panels, and the amount of sunlight the panels receive.

DIY home solar power is almost maintenance free after installation. Manufacturers state the average lifespan of the solar panels is over thirty years. DIY home solar power is also silent and emission free. Remember that you must take into account your initial investment versus the amount of time taken to recoup your investment.

You must also factor in the location for your DIY home solar power system. You will need a large enough area that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. If you are considering using your roof, what is the pitch (angle) of the roof, and are you comfortable walking on the roof? You may want to hire a contractor to install the system for you.

What types of DIY Home Solar Power are available?

Stand-Alone DIY Home Solar Power

Your stand alone solar power generator can supply some or all of your electricity. This does not have to be connected to the grid, and is a great solution for those living in remote areas.

Hybrid Home Power

By connecting your solar panels to the mains electricity grid, you have the best of both worlds. When you are generating a surplus of electricity, you will create a credit with your power company (you can actually watch the meter run backwards!). In times of lower production, for example a cloudy day, you can draw power using your credit.

What options do you have for DIY Home Solar Power?

You can buy ready made kits and there are a few available on the internet. More and more people are using DIY home solar power kits due to the fact they are easy to install and most of the required pieces of equipment are in one package for you. You can also customize your kit and build more specialized solar arrays as you gain more knowledge of how solar systems work.

Alternatively, why not follow a guide and source all the components yourself? This is often the cheapest method of building a DIY home solar power system. I have recently reviewed a great ebook that guides you through all the steps of building solar panels in a single weekend. All materials are easily available from your local hardware store or from eBay, and the whole thing can be built for less than $200.

So why not make your own DIY Home Solar Power system? It’s a great way to contribute to saving the planet, and saving money at the same time!