5 Considerations When Buying A DIY Solar Power Kit
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010With energy bills skyrocketing, both businesses and homeowners are seeing solar power as a workable alternative. One of the fastest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system is by purchasing a DIY solar power kit. Before you purchase such a kit, you should familiariaze yourself with five important points.
Dimension of the Solar Panels
The DIY solar power kit must indicate the exact measurements of the solar panels, because this will let you know if you have enough roof space for the solar module. Additionally, the weight of the solar panels should be displayed on the kit, which you will need to know if you have roof tiles since they determine if the solar panels can be supported by your roof. The dimension and weight are needed to determine if your roof is structurally stable for the added load.
Total Power Generation
Before installing any DIY solar power kit, you must first calculate how much power is consumed in your home. You should also decide how many appliances you will connect to your solar power system. Choose an appropriate DIY solar power kit once you’ve come up with this figure. Kits of a variety of sizes are available; further, some kits can be interconnected if one alone is not sufficient.
Durability
Because they are outdoors, solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh elements like hail, rain, snow and sun. As such, the frame should be constructed of a durable material like aluminum, and the solar cells need to be covered by tempered glass.
Long-Term Warranty
Be aware that it can take years to see a return on investment for 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. There are kits available on the market that contain all the components needed to start your own solar power system. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Solar panels that require an annual scrubbing to keep them working at their maximum potential are your best bet.
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 DIY Solar Power.
This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at 5 Things to Consider When Purchasing DIY Solar Power Kits.