| Going solar has many advantages, including | | | | greater the benefit of a lower cost DIY home |
| reducing or eliminating your home energy bill, but | | | | solar system verses a commercially installed one. |
| there are a few steps you should consider before | | | | 4. You Are Completely Green: Although there are |
| investing the time and money into this renewable | | | | plenty of people out there who want you to buy |
| energy venture. | | | | their DIY educational kits, most of these do not |
| 1. Initial Cost: Commercially installed solar panels | | | | cover every detail required. So if you buy one of |
| typically start around $22,000 for a 3 KW solar | | | | these kits, you may find yourself with more |
| system, depending on the size and design. | | | | expenses than you thought. It is highly |
| Although rebates and incentives offered by local, | | | | recommended that you buy at least two books |
| county and state governments can reduce some | | | | and maybe a "how to" DVD that has reviews |
| of these costs, the savings is typically not enough | | | | from consumers who have built their own home |
| for most consumers. One homeowner, who took | | | | solar system. It is difficult for one educational |
| advantage of these incentives, reduced his 3 KW | | | | source to answer all of your DIY questions. |
| system to $13,000 after rebates. With lower | | | | 5. How Long Will You Live At Your Home: If you |
| home values, most home owners no longer have | | | | plan to keep your home for the long term, |
| the equity to finance a $13,000 home solar | | | | installing a home solar system is more beneficial |
| energy system. | | | | than if you are planning to stay less than five |
| 2. Replace Inefficient Appliances: Although not | | | | years. Use a good solar calculator to measure |
| necessary (but highly recommended), you should | | | | your savings over the long haul. |
| consider replacing inefficient appliances. If you can | | | | You can minimize some of these issues of building |
| reduce your energy usage, you can install a | | | | a solar home if you choose to do it yourself |
| smaller home solar energy system, which will cost | | | | (DIY). This assumes you have done your |
| you less. | | | | homework, and planned wisely. But you have to |
| 3. Weather: Solar radiation varies depending on | | | | ask yourself if you are a person who is up to the |
| available sunlight, and the location of your home | | | | task. If so, do your research, and make sure you |
| relative to mountains and trees. The less solar | | | | have the tools you need. |
| radiation in your area, the more solar panels are | | | | Going solar has many benefits. Enjoy the journey |
| required to generate your required electrical usage | | | | along the way as building your own solar home will |
| as compared to a similar system built in Arizona. | | | | be an accomplishment you will never forget. |
| So the less annual sunlight you receive, the | | | | |