The recession, which led millions of Americans to curtail their spending, brought a do-it-yourself mentality back to the fore – and even DIY solar installations are gaining in popularity. Before performing a solar installation sans professional assistance, though, it’s useful to consider the pros and cons of a DIY solar power project.

Solar Installation Video Tutorial

First, the pros. Doing any home-improvement project without hiring a professional can save buckets of money – whether it’s installing a new toilet, re-grouting a shower or painting a room – and the same goes for solar installations. This week, for example, technology website CNET profiled Massachusetts resident James Cormican, who installed his own solar array for just $10,000. That’s about a quarter of what a professional installation would cost.

Another reason to go DIY is that a person who does her own solar installation will understand the ins and outs of her work, so she’ll be capable of fixing or maintaining her array in the future. And a DIY project can provide a sense of accomplishment that would be missing if a professional contractor were hired.

There are downsides to doing a home-improvement project on one’s own, though. Generally – unless a homeowner happens to be a contractor himself – there’s a steep learning curve to most projects. That’s certainly true of solar installations, which require knowledge of electrical systems, experience with roofing and general contracting savvy. Even Cormican, the budget-conscious DIYer, had the help of an electrician in installing his array.

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Also worth keeping in mind is that professional contractors can be held liable in court if their work is subpar. If a homeowner does a shoddy job on his own solar installation, however, he’ll have no such recourse and will have to fix his array himself.

And there is, of course, the time factor. A solar installation is a major undertaking, and a homeowner with a full-time job simply may not have the time for a DIY solar project.

Before embarking on a DIY solar project, it’s smart to weigh both the pros and the cons of DIY. Going DIY on a solar installation can provide significant cost savings – but it may only be appropriate for people confident in their handiwork. For homeowners looking to go solar, DIY is certainly worth considering.

Establishing your diy solar panels is not a difficult task. Even if you do not have any experience doing such projects, there are many websites that will readily help you with providing you easy instruction guides. There are many people who are looking for second hand solar panels and this is getting quite lucrative and you can take the advantage of the situation to start your own home industry using solar power.

The main expenditure is the solar cells and you can also get these at lower rate when you will buy them in bulk. There are ‘broken’ solar cells that are available and they work with the same efficiency as the new ones.

The only drawback is that they do not look good and do not give fine finishing touch to your product. However, these are excellent in helping you keep the entire cost down of the solar powered panels.

You can easily find these solar cells in online stores or any shopping site as well. Once you make your diy solar panel it will be your next target to market your products, which is not an easy task.

You need to promote and project your achievement and show that you have successfully made one. Remember, there is huge demand and it will go on increasing people are trying to cut their costs wherever possible and also want to do anything that is environmental friendly.

The future of this industry is certainly bright and you have a profit of almost double and sometimes even more than that. The demand is increasing at a very fast rate and the suppliers are less in this field.

It is a good opportunity for anyone to start his diy solar panel industry and establish himself in this field of business. The energy costs have increased a lot during recent past and people are really trying to cut the costs in any way possible.

However, with little money and effort you can make your own diy solar panel and provide your household gadgets with sufficient power. Installing the solar powered panels is easy and safe and it will also enhance the value of your house.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/increase-your-home-value-by-solar-power-2753615.html About the AuthorThe authoress is an experienced Content writer and publisher on the topics related to diy solar and solar panels.

by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com

Published June 5, 2010 —  On Feb 12, 2010, New York State launched the “Great Appliance Swap Out” to reward its residents with rebates for buying new, energy efficient appliances which some say result in both lower utility bills and a “greener”  environment.  

HARRISVILLE, N.Y. 

What if, however, there was no need to pay home utility bills in the first place? 

Jerry W. Tucker, Harrisville, said he and his wife, Carol E. Tucker, have “never paid a power bill”  since his retirement from the United States Air Force in 1998.  

“Why depend on a utility company when you can make your own power and its free,” Mr. Tucker said. 

Mr. Tucker bought $10,000 worth of raw materials needed to build and design a solar energy system from Backwoods Solar Electric Systems, Sandpoint, Idaho in 1998. 

“In three to five years, it paid for itself,” the former B-52 maintenance officer said. 

The solar panels connect to a power converter which changes the 24-volt DC power, made by solar energy, into 120 volt AC power for household use. 

On an average day, Mr. Tucker said his solar panels produce 4.8 kilowatts of energy, the equivalent of 600 watts per hour. He and his wife use about half of the daily energy output. 

“We make more power than we use,” he said. 

The only maintenance required for the solar panels, according to the Mr. Tucker, is the use of a roof rake in the winter months for scraping off snow and an annual cleaning. 

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Besides maintenance, Mr. Tucker said there seems to be no drawbacks to solar powered home energy.  

“I have seen no disadvantages to date,” Mr. Tucker said. “We have never ran out of power the 12 years we’ve lived here.” 

Mr. Tucker, who is certified with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), now independently builds home solar energy systems in his spare time. 

“Seventy percent of what I do is camps and cottages,” he said. “I discuss the customer’s  power needs with them and over design it by 20 percent.” 

Mr. Tucker also noted he had done commercial solar work as a subcontractor for Acts II Construction, Gouverneur, to build two anti-collision lights for the Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake.  

With no electrical lines connected to the Tucker’s home, there are also no water, cable or telephone lines.  

Mr. Tucker said he and his wife use a wireless card to get internet access and a cellular tower to communicate with “the outside world” 

“Yes, we get Newzjunky out here,” he said.  

A 274- foot deep, spring fed well provides the Tucker family with “more than enough” water. 

“We have every luxury you have, we just don’t have to pay for it,” Mr. Tucker said. “I’m living my dream.”