Assess DIY or Contract Options

After having countless debates over the dinner table, you have decided it's time to add a panel system to your home. This idea appears to be the best options to save money in the long-run on your home's energy needs. One thing is real, you know your way around a DIY project and are balancing the concept of self-installation to that of hiring a installation professional to handle the job.

At any rate, it's your time to go solar, so you must explore the costs. After the bills get paid, what is left over makes you uncertain. But, with some research, you have decided to buy a solar kit and either take to the internet forums of how-to for your course or shell out some dollars for your installation professional.

DIY Installs

There are many options out there to consider before you choose DIY a home panel kit, or to hire the professional. Many guaranteed expert solar installers can install a prefabricated solar package with ease. If you decide to hire a builder to install your kit, you should expect to pay about $1.00 per watt for labor, wire, conduit, fittings, breakers and other diverse electrical elements to complete the system installation. For a 5kW (kilowatt) system, known as 5,000 watts, you can expect to pay $5,000 for hookup and install.

Contract Documentation

When the significant time of finding your perfect solar installation situation, prepare yourself for the paperwork phase. The permitting and inspections for a solar installation, going the DIY route may incur much more work than expected. For example, if you do install solar on your own as a DIY project, remember that you must also gain permits and reviews from both your energy company and your regional authorities.

The needed paperwork can be slightly modified in most states and counties. However, companies are starting up now that will do this paperwork for you for approximately $400, or .08 cents per watt. A comprehensive DIY solar installation scheme will perhaps require costs in the array of $2.49 to $2.96 before incentives such as tax discounts, etc.

Since you are interested in turning those wrenches yourself, there might be a contrast in price to consider. In comparison to a DIY effort, you might think that buying a fully installed system might be slightly higher, but more problem free. A system installed by a professional solar business will commonly be appearing in the range of $3.10 to $3.40 per watt.

Of course, there is always something more difficult about doing things yourself. Primarily, time is an issue. Not being a professional, which we must assume you are not, you will spend a reasonable amount of time working out the kinks rather than putting your time toward other cost creating actions. DIY installation can have several drawbacks. Some years ago when companies were getting more significant gains on the margin, we suggest people look into it, but there are not adequate savings now to justify the hazards. With a DIY project, your house is a one-time job for the installer, so you have to know idea if they are a good installer or not.

You have the additional issue that if ever the panel system you just purchased fails, it is likely no-one from the supplying company will want to help you. The soundest that you may be able to get is to get a replacement if you organize to take the equipment off your roof yourself and prepare to ship it back to the manufacturer.

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area