Solar Power: DIY or Hire Pro

If you are now really decided to to go solar there are many compelling reasons to do it now. Costs have come down, incentives have gone up, and electric rates only promise to go up more.

There's more than one way to go about installing your new solar power system. There are many articles out there telling how you can save money by doing it yourself. You would probably save $5-10K but there is more to it than what most people think. While this is a good solution for some, many would be better served if you hired a qualified professional. Why is that a good choice?

Construction and Electrical Knowledge

Do you have experience with construction or electrical wiring? This job involves installing photovoltaic panels, usually on a roof. In addition to securing the panels to the roof, you need to be able to wire the system to the home electrical system. If you are handy around the house and have done many projects like this, DIY may be the way to go. But for those who lack this type of knowledge, hiring a professional will probably save you a lot of headaches.

Permits

Do you know what permits are required by your city and/or county? Do you know the process for applying, and what the inspectors will be looking for? Solar energy, being relatively new for residences, is new to some of the building inspectors too. A professional will be able to get through the permit process smoothly.

Thinking of going without permits? The worst case scenario is that the city might make you take it down or that the system is improperly installed and causes damage. Even if everything goes well, appraisers usually can't take non-permitted additions into consideration for your home's value. This might mean that you won't be able to get the full value of the system when you sell your house.

Guarantees

One requirement to get your rebate and tax incentive is to have a 25 year warranty for the system. If your PV panels or inverter goes bad, you need to ship it back to the manufacturer yourself. PV weights about 35lbs and the inverter is about 100lbs. Is the savings worth the maintenance and servicing you might need in the future? Probably not unless you hav a lot of free time and willing to troubleshoot and service your own solar system.

While doing it yourself may be the answer for some, I think that hiring a qualified contractor is the wisest decision for most.Although Im an electronics engineer and pretty confident I can install the whole system, there is just more to it than just installation and its operation. Be sure to get two or three bids, look for a licensed contractor, and check references from other clients.

Now if you still feel that you are up to the challenge, heres a reference video from Roderick Young who did a DIY of his own solar home. In addition to his video, he provides references, advises, and downloadable documents which I find very valueable for DIY.