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Five Points To Consider When Buying A DIY Solar Power Kit

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:15:49 +0000

Both business and homeowners are turning to solar power in an effort to reduce their energy bills. One of the fastest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system is by purchasing a DIY solar power kit. However, there are five important things with which you should be familiar before you make such a purchase.

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. If you know the weight and dimension of the panels, you can determine whether your roof is structurally sound enough to handle 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. Additionally, determine how many appliances you want to connect to the solar power system. Once you have this figure calculated, purchase an appropriate DIY solar power kit. There are kits of different sizes available to meet your requirements; additionally, some kits can be interconnected if one is not enough.

Durability

Because they are outdoors, solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh elements like hail, rain, snow and sun. Because of this, the solar cells must be covered with tempered glass and the frame must be made of a resilient material like aluminum.

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. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. 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. The best choice is solar panels that require, at minimum, scrubbing once a year to have the panels work at maximum efficiency.

Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more economical 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 Purchasing DIY Solar Power Kits.

5 Things To Consider When Purchasing A DIY Solar Power Kit

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:09:27 +0000

With energy bills skyrocketing, both businesses and homeowners are seeing solar power as a workable alternative. Perhaps the simplest way to implement this type of renewable energy to your system is to purchase a DIY solar power kit. But before you make such a purchase, you should be familiar with these five important aspects.

Solar Power Dimensions

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. 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

Calculate how much power you consume in your home before installing a DIY solar power kit. 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 kits of different sizes available to meet your requirements; additionally, some kits can be interconnected if one is not enough.

Durability

The solar power panels are exposed to the harsh elements of nature, such as sun, rain, hail and snow. Because of this, the solar cells must be covered with tempered glass and the frame must be made of a resilient material like aluminum.

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. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. It is recommended to get one with a 20- to 25-year warranty period on solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. You can purchase kits that come with all the components you’ll need 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 economical lives.

For more information on solar energy and how it can be used, please visit Solar Energy.

This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at Five Things to Consider When Purchasing DIY Solar Power Kits.