Five Points To Consider When Buying A DIY Solar Power Kit
Posted on February 5, 2010
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With energy bills skyrocketing, both businesses and homeowners are seeing solar power as a workable alternative. Purchasing a DIY solar power kit is one of the simplest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system. However, you should be thoroughly familiar with five things before you make such a purchase.
Solar Power Dimensions
Check the DIY kit to ensure it indicates the solar panels’ precise measurements, which will let you know if you have enough space on your roof for the solar module. Be sure you also know the weight of the solar panels, as that information will be necessary to determine if your roof can support the solar panels if you have roof tiles installed. You will be able to more easily determine if your roof is stable enough structurally to handle the added load if you know the weight and dimension of the panels.
Total Power Generation
Prior to installing a DIY solar power kit, you should calculate the amount of power you consume in your home. Then decide on the number of appliances you’ll be connecting to your solar power system. Once you have this figure calculated, purchase an appropriate DIY solar power kit. There are a variety of kit sizes available on the market; additionally, certain kits are designed for interconnectivity if one is not sufficient.
Durability
Because they are outdoors, solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh elements like hail, rain, snow and sun. The frame should be made out of durable material, like aluminum. The solar cells should be covered with tempered glass.
Long-Term Warranty
It can take years before you see a return on investment, or ROI, from the installation of a DIY solar power kit. As such, it’s advisable to take into consideration the length of a product’s warranty prior to purchase. It is recommended to get one with a 20- to 25-year warranty period on solar panels.
Installation and Maintenance
Get a DIY solar power kit that’s easy to install. Kits that contain all the necessary components to start your own solar power system are on the market. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Look for solar panels that require at least an annual scrubbing to keep the panels working at maximum potential.
Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more eco-friendly lives.
For more information on solar energy and how it can be used, please visit Do-it-Yourself Solar Energy.
This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at Five Things to Consider When Buying DIY Solar Power Kits.
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