Solar panels are very popular in Australia, but can you install them yourself? Is installing solar panels just like any other home DIY job? Well, the answer is yes and no. Using solar panels is an excellent way to save on your electricity bills and this blog will cover many of the pros and cons of installing solar panels yourself. After you read through this blog, you’ll have a clear picture to help you decide if installing solar panels yourself is a good idea or if it is best left to the experts.
In Australia, solar panels are one of the most popular home additions people install. Modern technology means that solar panels are incredibly efficient and can easily convert sunlight to power and lower your electricity bills. Solar panels are exceptionally cost-effective and can provide a homeowner with clean energy for at least 25 years. Solar panels can also reduce your carbon footprint which will help protect our environment. When you choose to install solar panels, they require a substantial financial investment from the homeowners. This investment will pay for the panels and all the costs associated with installation.
With most solar panels, you’ll need someone to install the solar panels and the racking systems they need to sit on. In other solar panels systems, such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), you’ll need advanced building techniques that require the services of a professional team, after all BIPV panels are your roof structure. While BIPV is straightforward for roofers and trained professionals, it would be more challenging, though not impossible by any means, for a DIYer
If it is possible for the homeowner to install the panels on their roof, it may lower the financial cost of the solar panels. For a skilled DIYer installing solar panels may not seem like a huge undertaking. Provided there are instructions, is it as easy as screwing in a few brackets? With most DIY solar panel systems, all the tools you require are an electric drill (or cordless) and a few hours of your time.
For all solar panels systems, you’ll need an electrician to connect the panels to a suitable inverter and your current grid power supply. However, if you’re installing the solar panels yourself, it may be best to wait until you have everything completed before contacting the electrician to finalise the process. While this may delay the completion of your project, it is more cost-effective than having an electrician on-site waiting for the panel installation to be finished.
Like many other DIY projects, have all your equipment and the instructions well laid out. Read the instructions thoroughly and make sure you understand what is required. Seek help if you need any or talk to someone who has previously installed solar panels.
DIY solar panels: pros and cons
If you are concerned about your abilities in installing solar panels yourself, it’s a great idea to go over the pros and cons. While you may have written the pros and cons of installing a system yourself, we’ve created a few for you to think about.
Pros of DIY solar panels
As sold in many retail stores, DIY solar panels are suited to places where finding available grid power is not an option. A DIY kit can be ideal for getting power to your backyard shed, in a motorhome, or while you’re camping. These types of DIY solar panels are usually separated into fixed or portable categories.
In these small systems, you’ll need to know your daily power consumption and how much available power you have in the storage batteries. As you’re only running a few items, it can be easy to do the calculations to determine how much power you need. Calculating your actual power consumption can become very challenging in a large household system. Without a large battery storage device, you’ll usually need to rely on grid power for some of your energy needs.
Other DIY solar panels include installing solar-powered skylights, these units consist of a small solar panel on your roof to support an LED light panel. These units are comparable to skylights, and they can be an easy to install solution to getting some light into dark areas of your home. These small solar lighting kits are often supplied as a complete unit. You’ll receive a small solar panel, some brackets, and an LED light unit. An advantage of DIY solar skylights over traditional skylights is you only need to drill a small hole for the cable and not cut into the ceiling. This makes them ideal for use in rental homes as you only need to repair a small patch if you move out.
Working out your specific energy needs for small spaces can be a fun challenge. In most instances, the worst thing that will happen is you’ll run out of power for the day and need to rely on a petrol-powered generator or fully charged batteries. Suppose you are looking to install DIY solar panels to cover your entire home. In that case, you’ll need to be constantly thinking about your power consumption and getting it wrong can mean you won’t be able to heat your home or have enough energy to power your hot water system! Most homes that are considered off-grid do not have many of the modern conveniences, and it is easier to calculate your daily energy needs.
Cons of DIY solar panels
Installing a DIY solar panel kit can be complicated. It can be easier if you have some experience with small systems where you need to work out how much power you use and the types of solar panels required. If you only have experience with small pre-built solar systems, such as solar-powered phone chargers, it is best to start with a small DIY solar kit such as those designed for camping.
When you pay someone to install a solar system, you’re paying for their time and experience. With a home-sized solar power system, these are installed by a team of experienced people. In this team, you’ll have an electrician to connect all the necessary parts, tradespeople skilled at installing the actual panels and frames, and a solar power expert. This team will work together to decide on the best setup and panels for your energy usage.
If you are installing solar panels yourself, you need to work out the types and sizes of solar panels yourself and then either do the work on the roof yourself or hire someone to do it for you. All electrical work needs to be carried out by an approved electrical contractor. However, some contractors may be unwilling to connect solar panels; they may not be trained to do the work or feel uncomfortable connecting a DIY solar system.
When you install a DIY solar system, it may not come with any warranty or guarantee. Your roof will no longer be warrantied against leaks. If something goes wrong with your system or your roof, you need to cover all the repairs. Therefore, while you may save on the initial installation costs, you are actually out of pocket due to covering any potential problems.
You’ll need to check with your insurance provider to see if the DIY solar panels are covered. An insurance provider may require solar panels to be installed by an accredited installer before your home or contents insurance covers them.
You are responsible for applying for any permits required. You’ll need to check with your council to see what permits are needed for your home. When you have your solar panels installed by an accredited installer getting the permits required is easy as they’ll take care of it.
Installing solar panels yourself means you need to rely on your skills. While most DIYers are reasonably skilled, professional solar installers have been doing these projects for years and know all the tricks and traps that may stop someone else in their tracks. For most DIY projects, you’ll rely on instructional videos, but often these are only a guide and may not show how to install a large-scale system.
Another problem with installing DIY solar panels is that they can be problematic when applying for government rebates. Almost all solar panels need to be installed by an accredited installer to be accepted by government agencies to claim appropriate rebates. If your system is not suitable for the rebates available, it may negate the savings you’d get by installing the system yourself.
DIY solar panels can be a good project, but on a larger scale, such as your home, it is easier to leave the calculations to a professional team.
Planning your DIY solar panel system
One of the most challenging problems a DIY installer will face is knowing what sized system to install. A good guide for understanding your electricity usage is to look at your past electricity bills. These bills should provide you with average daily usage, but if not, you can work it out by taking the amount of electricity used and dividing it by how many days the bill covers.
After you know how much power you use each day, you can add about 10% to the total, covering you on days that your solar panels are not operating at peak efficiency. If you’re planning on operating with minimal grid power, you’ll need to add a suitable battery to your system. You’ll also need an inverter that can handle the solar panel array you plan on installing. When you choose an inverter, you can decide to get a larger unit that will allow you to expand your system later.
The solar panels and inverter are the base components of your system, but there are many other components you’ll need to order, such as optional battery storage. You can find some online retailers that will send you an entire kit, or you can purchase these items separately. If you’re planning on buying all the components yourself, joining a community of DIY solar installers may be a good option.
Getting practice before committing yourself to a larger DIY system
If you’re concerned about installing a large system, you may prefer to install a smaller system first. Small camping systems are a great way to learn about solar and what is involved with putting together a working set of solar panels. If you’re not into camping, you can plan out a small solar system for installation on a shed or a similar project. If you have a dog, perhaps your pup would like a solar lighting kit on their kennel!
Other minor solar panels kits can include adding lighting to your garden or providing power to a pool pump or spa. You could even plan a small system that supplies power to your garage or outdoor BBQ area. With solar panels, the options you have are endless! These projects will help you build skills, and they’ll provide good guidance for if and when you can tackle larger projects on your property.
DIY solar panel systems can be cheaper, but you have limited options
As solar systems can vary in size, it can be challenging to determine an average price. However, reports are that a quality solar power system can cost between $5000 and $15000 (after government rebates). In most systems, only about 10% of this figure is attributed to the labour for installation. Therefore, on a $5000 system, you’re only saving about $500 on labour.
Complete DIY systems are not very popular in Australia, and therefore you’ll find your options are limited. When you choose a quality solar panel supplier and installer, you choose panels and other components. You can easily find a solar panel supplier with the type of solar panels you’d like installed in your home.
Are DIY panels worth your time?
If you’re keen on installing DIY panels, a better option may be planning out your system and allowing professionals to do the installation. Doing the research and finding the ideal system to install in your home can be as rewarding as installing it yourself.
While many Australians will rely on the recommendations of solar panel supply companies, you can take charge and work out your exact requirements. Understanding your exact needs for electricity can help you get the best system possible. Let professional installers take care of the hard work, and you can spend your time making sure your home is making the best use of your new solar panels by monitoring your exact usage.
What does SOllOS recommend?
At SOllOS, we strongly recommend having your solar panels (and the entire system) installed by an accredited team. The installer will work with SOllOS and ensure your system is installed for optimal performance, electrical safety and attractive aesthetics. It’s your home, likely a major investment and it’s worth doing it right. Professional installers will also finish the process quickly, allowing your entire project to be completed smoothly.
If you need any further advice about installing solar panels on your property, we’d be happy to discuss your needs. Call SOllOS for an obligation free discussion on what our roof integrated solar panels can do for you. Call today!