Installing Solar Panels Yourself: DIY Installation Overview

Installing Solar Panels Yourself: DIY Installation Overview

Installing solar panels yourself can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to harness renewable energy for your home. But before you jump up to start putting panels on your roof, it’s vital to understand the process, requirements, and potential challenges involved with a DIY solar project.
 

This guide will walk you through the key aspects of installing solar panels yourself and help you determine whether a DIY solar setup is the right choice for you.

Understanding the Basics of DIY Solar Installation

A DIY solar panel install involves a few key pieces of equipment: 

  • Solar Panels – Solar panels absorb energy from sunlight, converting it into Direct Current (DC) energy. Most residential-grade solar panels are 5-6 feet long and 2-4 feet wide.
  • Inverter(s) – Convert DC electricity from panels into alternating current (AC) power for home use. There are a few different types of inverter: string inverter, microinverter, and hybrid inverter. 
  • Mounting and Racking System – Secures panels to the roof or ground. Different mounting applications will require different equipment. 
  • Battery Storage (Optional) – Stores excess energy for later use. Some battery providers require certification/training before installing battery storage. 
  • Wiring and Electrical Components – Connects the system to your home's electrical system and the power grid, or an off-grid setup.
     

 All these components work together to generate renewable solar energy, and if they aren't all correctly installed, the system won't be able to function. 

Is DIY Solar Right for You?

Before committing to a DIY solar installation, consider the folllowing:

  • Technical Skills – Do you have experience with electrical work and construction? Most of a solar installation is very straightforward, especially as construction projects go.

    However, many homeowners choose to hire a handyman or other professional with electrical certification to complete a grid tie-in, which is the only part of the process that deals with live wires.
     
  • Local Regulations & Permits – Some areas require professional certification for installation. For example, the state of New Mexico does not allow DIY installations.

    Grid-tied solar systems will require plans, permits, and inspections before Permission to Operate (PTO) can be granted. Luckily, Project Solar offers engineering and permitting services.
     
  • Tools & Safety Equipment – Do you have access to the required tools and safety equipment? When installing rooftop solar, wearing a harness and hard hat is vital. Many standard electric and construction tools will be needed, like a ladder, drill, stud finder, chalk line, socket wrench set, wire stripper, etc.
     
  • Your Install Difficulty - Solar installs come in all shapes and sizes, and there are factors that could make things more difficult. 

    Does your roof have a complex network of dormers? Is your home two or more stories high? Do you have roofing that could be easily damaged from improper foot traffic? Are you planning to install a ground-mounted structure?
     

 

If you don't have the technical skills and equipment required, you're not necessarily disqualified from do-it-yourself solar--you'll just need to do some research (and possibly some shopping at the hardware store).

Step-by-Step Guide for a DIY Solar Project

Step 1: Planning and System Design

First, you’ll need to analyze your energy usage needs and solar installation area. This is typically done with utility usage data from your power company; the challenge is translating that data into a solar system size. 

Project Solar offers free design services, and we can help you figure out how much solar you need with industry-leading design & estimation software. We also offer a no-commitment system calculator, open to customers and non-customers alike. 
 

Step 2: Acquiring Permits and Approvals

Next, it's time to check your local regulations and building codes to create compliant plans and obtain necessary permits from your city and/or utility company. Many customers opt to use Project Solar's optional engineering and permitting services, as the process can be long and difficult. 
 

Step 3: System Installation

Main article: How to Install Solar Panels

Time for the most physically involved part of the process: the actual installation. A solar installation involves the following: 
 

  • Mounting & Racking: The process for installing mounting hardware and racking will vary based on your roof type--you may need to drill into your roof trusses, secure clamps to standing seams,  or weight racking with cement ballasts.   

    If you're not installing on your roof, you'll need to first construct a ground-mount frame and make sure it's firmly affixed with concrete or ground screws.

     
  • Panels:  Installing solar on your roof means that you'll need to hoist the panels up there, which . Check out our article on this topic for details and tips. 

    Once the solar panels are on the roof (or not, for a ground mount), they'll need to be secured to the frame and tightened down--one of the easiest parts of the process. Then, they can be wired in strings or connected to microinverters. 

     
  • Electrical:  Wires are routed through either conduit piping or a rooftop junction box--this is really depending on your aesthetic preference and roof type.  They'll all be run to your combiner box or string inverter system, installed near your electrical panel--along with battery storage, if applicable.  

    Once everything else is installed correctly, the system is interconnected to the grid. This is the only part of the process that deals with live wires, so most homeowners choose to hire someone with electrical certification to complete this step. 

 

Step 4: Inspections and Final Approvals

Before connecting to the electrical grid and turning on your solar system, your jurisdiction and/or utility will require inspections. 

These inspections will ensure your system is installed up to code and that there will be no safety issues when its activated. 

Conclusion: Should You Install Solar Yourself?

DIY solar installation can be a rewarding and thrifty endeavor for those confident in their skills. If you're uncomfortable with certain levels of the process, like engineering, design, and permitting, Project Solar can handle things for you. 

DIY is best suited for homeowners with handyman experience & access to the proper tools. It can also be a great option for those installing smaller, off-grid, and/or less complex systems.

If your home has a complex roof, you lack electrical expertise, or your local regulations require professional installation, using one of our certified solar install teams may be the best option. 
 

Need help choosing the right solar panel kit? Explore our selection of DIY solar solutions designed for homeowners of all experience levels!