February 7th, 2010 3:26 am
In an effort to reduce energy bills, both homeowners and businesses are looking to solar power as a viable alternative. Perhaps the simplest way to implement this type of renewable energy to your system is to purchase a DIY solar power kit. Before you purchase such a kit, you should familiariaze yourself with five important points.
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. Further, ensure that you know the solar panels’ weight, which is necessary information if you have roof tiles as they will factor in determining if your roof can support the solar panels. The dimension and weight are needed to determine if your roof is structurally stable for the added load.
Total Power Generation
Before you install a DIY solar power kit in your home, calculate the amount of power you use, 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. Kits of a variety of sizes are available; further, some kits can be interconnected if one alone is not sufficient.
Durability
Solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh outdoor elements like rain, hail, sun and snow. The frame should be made out of durable material, like aluminum. The solar cells should be covered with 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. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new 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. 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 power and how it can be used, please visit Do-it-Yourself Solar Power.
This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at Five Things to Consider When Buying DIY Solar Power Kits.
Tags: Aluminum, Diy Kit, Durability, Durable Material, Energy Bills, Five Points, Harsh Outdoor Elements, Necessary Components, Power Generation, Precise Measurements, Rain Hail, Renewable Energy, Return On Investment, Roof Tiles, Rsquo, Solar Cells, Solar Panels, Solar Power Panels, Solar Power System, Tempered Glass