Have you been flirting with the idea of solar panels but don’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve got a quote or two from a local company, but you haven’t been able to pull the trigger.
If so, this guide on the pros and cons of solar panel kits for homes is for you. Keep reading to learn more!
What are Solar Panel Kits for Homes?
Solar panel kits come in a few different types. There are 100% do-it-yourself kits, compared to kits that send you the pre-assembled individual parts, leaving you to hook them up to each other.
What you’re comfortable with is going to depend on your engineering/handiness skill level. We would recommend not overstretching yourself too much, as you will need to deal with electric wiring, which can be dangerous, even fatal if done incorrectly.
You can even buy refurbished solar panels that someone has replaced, whether you want to buy them repaired or fix them yourself.
As much money as solar panel kits for homes will save you, there’s inherent risk involved and the safest route is to get them installed by a professional, like Blue Raven Solar.
Pros and Cons of Solar Panel Kits
Doing anything yourself is cheaper since you’re putting in elbow grease yourself instead of paying someone else to – which leads us to pro #1…
Pro: Doing it Yourself is Cheaper
When you hire a professional company, they have to pay their middlemen and their employees, so their base costs are higher. Buying solar panel kits straight from the distributor will save you cash on materials.
If you then install those panels yourself, you’re also saving on labor costs, but…
Con: Making Mistakes When Installing is Dangerous
There’s a reason that solar panel companies have engineers working for them. Solar panels are giant batteries and they have many (expensive) parts. If you make a mistake when putting them together yourself, the best-case scenario is that it doesn’t work and you try again.
Worst case scenario? You hurt yourself in the process, or damage the solar panel parts and have to buy more, canceling out your savings of buying the materials yourself.
Pro: They’re Good for the Earth
The US has committed to cutting its energy emissions in half by 2030, and you getting solar panels can play a role in that. Fewer emissions mean slowing global warming and improving air quality for all that live here.
Con: They Likely Won’t Cover All Your Electric Needs
Depending on the size of your home and your family, you may not have the roof space for the number of solar panels it would take for you to completely offset your energy costs. But if your goal is to save some cash and not to be completely “off-grid” then every little bit helps!
Solar Panel Kits: Are They for You?
At the very least you’ll want to have a solar panel company come out and give you an estimate, as they do this for free and will give you vital information, such as how many panels your home could support.
What you choose to do after that, whether it’s buying premade solar panel kits for homes or have them continue their services is up to you.
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