I am one of the biggest do-it-yourself advocates on the planet. Using books, plans, the right tools, having my own DIY business, backed up withschooling and apprenticeship certifications, I am confident in my own ability to build and make just about anything. But when it comes to solar panel installation, I’d much rather let the pros in the business handle it all. And here’s why.
Solar cells and panels are the cutting edge in sustainable energy usage. They need to be handled a certain way and put together in certain ways that will allow them to work in the most efficient way possible. This type of knowledge does not just come from books and classes, this type of knowledge comes from actual hands on experience. The pros in this business are absolutely confident in their ability to get the hardware to the job and get it installed 100% correctly, guaranteed.
There is no DIY person that can give 100% assurance that an application of cells or panels is going to work like it is supposed to work. Even with all of my knowledge, I couldn’t do that either. Sure, you might save money and attempt to get an intricate solar panel display installed yourself, but you also may end of with a solar roof ornament that does nothing except take up space and look impressive.
The knowledge and the expertise, to me anyway, far outweigh any savings there may be in trying to rig up a set of functional solar panels. I would much rather pay the pros to do it right the first time, then to erect a solar array myself and have to call the pros in later to have them fix the mess I left behind.
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daleythegreenguy: I’m offering grid-tie solar kits on my blog and whereas they could be self-installed, I exactly agree with your take on DIY in solar. They can either be projects that really go awry or a very expensive “home improvement” that never gets done. I sold UniSolar kits in the past and only one of those I sold was installed by a man with solar experience on his off-grid fishing cabin in Alaska. The diagrams, plans required here in San Diego can be daunting enough not to mention the rebate process. I’m thinking of linking your entry above to my post with the kit offer.
BTW: I will be linking your site to mine under “Related Links.” It would be great if you’d reciprocate. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for note David! Yes, what I’ve learned from most diy projects is that while they start off with the best intentions, they tend to lose their luster unless the party installing has some sort of related expertise.