Roof-mounted solar panels are a common source of electricity nowadays. Rooftops are the best site to install solar panels since they are directly exposed to sunlight, allowing the panel to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into useful electricity. The number of people utilizing solar energy has recently increased. However, in addition to being knowledgeable about solar panels, it is also necessary to undertake a solar panel risk assessment. No matter your previous experience with DIY, you should never attempt a DIY solar project.
Not only does it require extensive planning and organizational abilities, but it is also a time-consuming project: from conception to commissioning, a DIY solar panel installation typically takes one to four months. While solar panels are an environmentally friendly option, a DIY solar system installation requires more knowledge and abilities than a typical weekend home repair project. It is something you can only readily accomplish with a professional.
Also, you must navigate different government and utility company offices to obtain licenses and approval for your project. This is a demanding job that requires perseverance and patience. Professional solar installers have employees on staff who specialize in dispersion work and have built relationships with the people who evaluate and approve such permits. An important reason to avoid DIY solar panel installation is the risk involved. We cannot emphasize enough how risky it is to install solar panels on your own. Remember that it could be dangerous not only for you but also for others.
Dangers
There are many distinct dangers to keep in mind before deciding to invest your time, money, and energy in DIY solar panels. Here are some of the key dangers of building and installing homemade solar panels.
1. The Height And Installation Process
The great majority of solar panels are put on a home’s rooftop, which necessitates working and navigating around a potentially dangerous slope and surface at elevation. Whether your roof is one story high, two stores high, or three stories high, the risk of being harmed in a slip-and-fall accident is exceedingly high for homeowners who aren’t experienced contractors.
Keep in mind that each solar panel can weigh between 30 and 50 pounds, and you’ll almost certainly need to transport many panels, as well as racking for installation, wiring and fittings, and equipment. Roof work like this is so dangerous that solar workers have specialized training and certificates to operate on rooftops, handle dangerous equipment, and follow safety measures. Homeowners, on the other hand, are taking a significant risk without training and protocols to guide them in best practices.
2. Property Or Electrical System Damage
A DIY solar panel installation is not only dangerous to you, but it may also badly harm the structure of your home. There’s a major risk of damaging your roof and creating leaks and water damage when installing panels yourself, but there’s a more immediate threat.
With such a complicated and intricate electrical system, any faulty wiring or fitting installation might cause the solar panel system to damage itself, your batteries, inverter, or your home’s electronics once turned on. There’s even the potential to spark an electrical fire. The improper gauge of wire, inferior wiring or materials, damaged sheathing, or other connection difficulties could potentially cause cascading problems and, ultimately the inverter on the solar panel overheating and exploding.
3. Electrocution Danger
If going onto your roof with heavy, awkward materials and working on a slope isn’t perilous enough to deter you, electrocution by DIY solar panel installation is always an option. Solar panels can create up to 600 volts of current when exposed to sunlight, and many solar modules connected in series might offer many times more of a charge to unwary homeowners moonlighting as amateur electricians.
4. Potential Fire Or Burns
The most significant risk of your solar system catching fire or exploding on your roof is caused by improper wiring and incorrect installation. This can be exacerbated by the presence of hazardous, flammable, or explosive materials near your home. Even your grill’s propane tank can significantly increase the danger that poorly executed solar panel installations offer.
Keep in mind that without a professional team of responsible installers on your side, if there are any problems with the panels during their 25-year lifespan, you will be responsible for getting back on the roof to fix the problem. Worse, your rooftop system may catch fire if the wiring is not correctly connected.
Cost
When we talk about the cost difference between homemade and commercial solar systems, there is a considerable difference, but it’s a smaller gap than it was in years past as mass production continues to drive down the cost of solar panels.
While a DIY solar panel option should be less expensive than installing a professional system. However, building the panels yourself may cost you more in the long run. The materials may be less efficient or have a shorter working life. You may also have to bear the cost of replacing them without a manufacturer’s guarantee to back them up. Also, if there is a problem with the equipment, you are on your own.
Furthermore, performing an incorrect installation can void the guarantee. Many states provide incentives and rebates that significantly lower the cost of going solar. However, some incentives are only accessible if a certified solar company completes the installation.