| If the thought of trusting someone else to install your | | | | finding the rafters below your roofing, and installing "tile |
| $20,000 solar panels makes you a bit queasy, then | | | | tracks" along the rafters for stability. Tile tracks are the |
| professional installation may not be for you. Many solar | | | | strips of metal that hold your solar panels securely to |
| panel systems you buy come with self-installation | | | | your roof. Without these tracks bring securely |
| instructions, and some even come with self-installation | | | | fastened your panels would fall! You must carefully |
| kits. However, if you've never worked with electricity | | | | measure your panels and ensure you place your |
| or heavy home construction before, then you shouldn't | | | | tracks in the right spot to secure them. The tile tracks |
| tackle installing a full residential solar panel system. For | | | | themselves are secured into the rafters of your roof |
| the sake of simplicity, we'll assume you're installing your | | | | (to prevent leaks) and you can adjust the panels using |
| solar panels over a pre-existing roof. When all else | | | | metal clips. |
| fails, it's well worth paying the few extra thousand | | | | After you have installed the structure of your tile track, |
| dollars if you're not sure about installing the panels | | | | your next step is to carefully get your panels to your |
| yourself. | | | | roof. One by one, you install your panels into the tile |
| There are some definite advantages to installing your | | | | track system that's specifically setup for your panels. |
| own panels. Installing yourself allows you to have the | | | | The panels interlock into the tile tracks, which have |
| ultimate familiarity with your system. If you need to | | | | pre-installed wiring that connects one solar panel to the |
| perform maintenance, or uninstall the panels in the | | | | next. This allows for a smooth electrical connection. Be |
| future, you can save money because you can do it | | | | extra careful during this step. You don't want to drop a |
| yourself. Plus, if you want to add panels later on, you | | | | panel or damage your roof! |
| will be able to do this relatively easily without needing | | | | Installing the inverter is fairly simple, but there are a lot |
| to call an installer. | | | | of risks associated with such a task. Inverters deal |
| There are some disadvantages, though. Solar panels | | | | with a lot of electrical energy and one simple mistake |
| are relatively easy to install, but you won't be able to | | | | can cause an explosion, fire, or electrical shock. If you |
| do it alone. You should have at least 2-3 other people | | | | don't already know how to install an inverter, then you |
| helping you. Plus, if you make a mistake, you risk losing | | | | should consult a qualified electrician for this step. |
| your whole system. Also, you will have to procure the | | | | Inverter installation is not something you want to tackle |
| wiring and framing yourself so you may need to rent a | | | | just from reading directions on the internet! This is the |
| truck if you don't own one. | | | | same for the battery and the connection to your |
| The first step to solar panel installation is paperwork. | | | | current electric box. |
| For most counties in the U.S. you will need to apply for | | | | After all the panels have been installed, and your |
| a home improvement permit from your local city | | | | inverter is connected, your next step is the inspection |
| government. If you are running your system on-grid | | | | from your existing electric company if you're using their |
| (net-metering) then you will need to request a | | | | grid. Once they have examined your system and |
| net-metering application from your local electric | | | | tested its reliability, then you can begin using your |
| company. After you have your permit you can begin | | | | net-metering feature! If you're off-grid, all you need is a |
| with physical installation. | | | | go-ahead from a qualified electrician and you're ready |
| Physical installation is the most precarious part of your | | | | to go with your new solar system! |
| installation process. The first part of the process is | | | | |