| Now is the time to get on board with the green | | | | As with any expensive product or service, it's a |
| energy movement, but it's important to choose | | | | good idea to do your research first. Check to see |
| your home solar power system carefully. With | | | | if any local installers have been reviewed online. |
| new technologies being released every year, | | | | Also, get a guaranteed quote, and make sure |
| there's a chance that the system you install | | | | your installer is friendly and professional. This |
| today will be obsolete a year from now, or that | | | | person will be working around your house for |
| you'll miss out on some exciting new product | | | | hours, so it's best to have a good rapport. |
| that's not quite ready to hit the market. That's | | | | Self Installation |
| one reason why it's often a good idea to rely on | | | | On the other hand, if you are good at installing |
| professional assistance when it comes to green | | | | things, and if you've done all of your research, |
| energy at home. But sometimes it's easier and | | | | why not install your home solar power system |
| cheaper to do it yourself. It all depends on a few | | | | yourself? Especially if you have a smaller house |
| important factors. | | | | and don't need anything too elaborate, there are |
| Professional Installation | | | | some systems that are both relatively cheap and |
| The reasons to go with a professional installation | | | | easy to install. For these, all you need is your |
| for your home solar power system are obvious. | | | | toolbox and the product instructions. |
| It's probably best to go with a professional if: | | | | Of course, there are other important |
| - you're not particularly handy; | | | | considerations. Self-installation is cheaper, and it |
| - you don't have hours of time to spend on the | | | | can be done on your own time. If your primary |
| installation; | | | | reason for installing green energy is monetary, |
| - you don't have much knowledge about green | | | | then it wouldn't make sense to pay an installer as |
| energy; | | | | much as $50 an hour for work that you could do |
| - you're not comfortable lugging around heavy | | | | yourself. It costs you nothing to read up on solar |
| equipment; | | | | power, research products, and teach yourself |
| - or you have little or no experience installing | | | | how to install your system. Plus, it can be a fun |
| systems at home. | | | | learning experience, which is even better if you |
| When you hire a contractor, you know that | | | | have kids who can help you. |
| everything will be done right. Be careful, though. | | | | |