By
William Bleiz
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4859549
If you are considering the option of installing a solar panel
system in your home and are in the dilemma if you should buy it or build
it yourself, I can make some suggestions that may be useful.
There are some points to consider before making your decision:
1. Your budget
For obvious reasons this should be your first point to consider.
A system of pre-manufactured solar panels may not be cheap. Even though technology and competition between different companies meant that retail prices have been reduced substantially, buy a pre built solar panels may not be cheap and not available to the average homeowner.
At the time of this writing, prices range between $3.00 and $6.00 dls per watt produced. A modern house with an average consumption can consume up to 5 kw (5000 watts, you can get kws consumption of your home in your electricity bill), which would give us the result that a system of pre fabricated panels that produce this amount of electricity can cost on average $15,000- $30,000 dls.
Of course this is only an estimated cost, you would have to do a proper study of the different offers that exist in the market.
We must also consider the different government incentives; you can check this with your government office responsible for this issue.
2. Want to reduce your electricity bill, cut it completely or only provide electricity to some of your appliances?
When you are considering installing a solar panel system at home, you probably already have in mind the needs you want to cover, which can be: The lighting in your yard, some appliances such as water heater, air conditioning, purifier water, oven, etc.
If this is the case, all you need to do is to consult the manual of each device to meet their electricity consumption, once estimated the requirements of watts to be cover, it is as simple as multiplying the number of watts you need for the price of each.
If your intention is to cut your electricity bill 100%, the process is described in paragraph one.
At this point in which you already know what needs you want to cover and the cost with a pre-manufactured solar panels systems, two conclusions can be very simple:
A. - You can afford it
B. - You can not
If you can afford a prefabricated system of solar panels which will cover the needs you want, congratulations! It's time to take action, take your phone to make different budgets with different companies in your area and start your project!
If you have concluded that a prefabricated system is definitely out of reach, do not be discouraged, there are still other options: Do it yourself!
There are guides on the market under the scheme of "do it yourself" that offer to teach how to build a solar panel, what materials you need, where to get them at the best price, and all about it.
What are the advantages of building your own solar panel system?
The advantages of these DIY systems are many and very important to consider.
You see, buying a prefabricated solar panel system is a good option, but from my point of view have one big disadvantage: You are not getting the basic knowledge.
That is, you know what is happening, the system is creating electricity from solar energy, but, you know how? No, you do not.
1.-When building your system yourself you are getting the knowledge of "how" the process is carried out, you are understanding and comprehending, and as surely you will agree with me, knowledge is priceless.
2. You can build your own system gradually, according to your needs and budget.
You can begin to cover your most basic needs: The lighting in your yard or change your gas water heater for an electric, etc.
Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it progressively without strong one-time expenditures.
3. Share quality time with your family!
What if you could spend a few hours of your weekend with your family in highly productive and rewarding activities?
For example: invite your son to build his own solar panel for powering his mp3, or video game, or his iPod while you made yours for powering the furnace in your yard with which you will prepare your next sunday's barbecue with your family.
And doing all this knowing that you are not only saving money and enjoying with your family, but helping our planet doing your part in improving our environment. Look like good ideas? I am sure they are.
When I spoke of these benefits with one of my friends (Ted) he told me: Well, yes, I can pay for pre built system, but... I choose build it myself with my son Brian! (13 years old).
Another of my friend (Mark) went further and said: "Ok, I can afford a pre made system but you know? I prefer to gain the knowledge and later who knows! Maybe even set up my own business selling homemade solar panels!
And although I do not like this business of "do it yourself" I can hire someone to do it for me! Either way, I will have learned how it works. (Smart guy)
So, whatever you decide, buy or build your solar panel system, I highly recommend you check these two very important points with the supplier company:
1. Support and customer service: It is vitally important for obvious reasons.
2. Guarantee: Do not buy anything that is not backed by a guarantee that inspires you confidence!
Thanks and enjoy your project!
There are some points to consider before making your decision:
1. Your budget
For obvious reasons this should be your first point to consider.
A system of pre-manufactured solar panels may not be cheap. Even though technology and competition between different companies meant that retail prices have been reduced substantially, buy a pre built solar panels may not be cheap and not available to the average homeowner.
At the time of this writing, prices range between $3.00 and $6.00 dls per watt produced. A modern house with an average consumption can consume up to 5 kw (5000 watts, you can get kws consumption of your home in your electricity bill), which would give us the result that a system of pre fabricated panels that produce this amount of electricity can cost on average $15,000- $30,000 dls.
Of course this is only an estimated cost, you would have to do a proper study of the different offers that exist in the market.
We must also consider the different government incentives; you can check this with your government office responsible for this issue.
2. Want to reduce your electricity bill, cut it completely or only provide electricity to some of your appliances?
When you are considering installing a solar panel system at home, you probably already have in mind the needs you want to cover, which can be: The lighting in your yard, some appliances such as water heater, air conditioning, purifier water, oven, etc.
If this is the case, all you need to do is to consult the manual of each device to meet their electricity consumption, once estimated the requirements of watts to be cover, it is as simple as multiplying the number of watts you need for the price of each.
If your intention is to cut your electricity bill 100%, the process is described in paragraph one.
At this point in which you already know what needs you want to cover and the cost with a pre-manufactured solar panels systems, two conclusions can be very simple:
A. - You can afford it
B. - You can not
If you can afford a prefabricated system of solar panels which will cover the needs you want, congratulations! It's time to take action, take your phone to make different budgets with different companies in your area and start your project!
If you have concluded that a prefabricated system is definitely out of reach, do not be discouraged, there are still other options: Do it yourself!
There are guides on the market under the scheme of "do it yourself" that offer to teach how to build a solar panel, what materials you need, where to get them at the best price, and all about it.
What are the advantages of building your own solar panel system?
The advantages of these DIY systems are many and very important to consider.
You see, buying a prefabricated solar panel system is a good option, but from my point of view have one big disadvantage: You are not getting the basic knowledge.
That is, you know what is happening, the system is creating electricity from solar energy, but, you know how? No, you do not.
1.-When building your system yourself you are getting the knowledge of "how" the process is carried out, you are understanding and comprehending, and as surely you will agree with me, knowledge is priceless.
2. You can build your own system gradually, according to your needs and budget.
You can begin to cover your most basic needs: The lighting in your yard or change your gas water heater for an electric, etc.
Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it progressively without strong one-time expenditures.
3. Share quality time with your family!
What if you could spend a few hours of your weekend with your family in highly productive and rewarding activities?
For example: invite your son to build his own solar panel for powering his mp3, or video game, or his iPod while you made yours for powering the furnace in your yard with which you will prepare your next sunday's barbecue with your family.
And doing all this knowing that you are not only saving money and enjoying with your family, but helping our planet doing your part in improving our environment. Look like good ideas? I am sure they are.
When I spoke of these benefits with one of my friends (Ted) he told me: Well, yes, I can pay for pre built system, but... I choose build it myself with my son Brian! (13 years old).
Another of my friend (Mark) went further and said: "Ok, I can afford a pre made system but you know? I prefer to gain the knowledge and later who knows! Maybe even set up my own business selling homemade solar panels!
And although I do not like this business of "do it yourself" I can hire someone to do it for me! Either way, I will have learned how it works. (Smart guy)
So, whatever you decide, buy or build your solar panel system, I highly recommend you check these two very important points with the supplier company:
1. Support and customer service: It is vitally important for obvious reasons.
2. Guarantee: Do not buy anything that is not backed by a guarantee that inspires you confidence!
Thanks and enjoy your project!
By the way, when Ted and Mark ask me for the best "Do It Your
Self" guide in the market, my answer was: The same I use of course! Which is this?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4859549
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