DIY Solar Install

DIY Solar the Practical Way

When I set up my solar system, I wanted it to actually make sense. Paying someone else $20k+ to install panels basically defeats the whole point of going solar. So I did the work myself.

I started by installing a circuit monitor so I could see where the power was going. Then I added a sub-panel and moved over the important circuits to make it worth it. My furnace/air handler fan is on it so I’ve got heat or AC circulation during an outage. I didn’t move the AC compressor — that’s a huge load — or the garage outlets since I weld from them. Pretty much everything else that matters runs on backup now.

The panels are wired in series-parallel to stay under the inverter’s 500 VOC limit, with headroom for cold weather voltage spikes. From day one I included a battery system, so when the grid goes down I don’t have to think twice — I just keep running. This setup has been online for years and it even held through the edges of hurricane-force winds this summer without a problem.

Like any project, I had to go through building codes, engineering docs, and electrical requirements to make sure everything was done right. It wasn’t overly complicated — more like reading a service manual or wiring diagram for a car. Once you figure out how the pieces fit, it’s straightforward. However, no matter how well you think you get acquainted with electricity, ALWAYS treat it with respect. Solar is hundreds of volts even on a cloudy day, and these battery systems, while 'only' 48v, are capable of hundreds of amps.

If you’re considering solar, remember it’s not just about bolting panels to a roof. The design choices — which circuits to back up, how you wire the array, how you plan for weather and storage — are what make it useful. My setup does exactly what I want: it saves money, gives me real backup power, and it didn’t cost me anywhere near $20k.