Solar Panel Kits: Complete Guide, Pros And Cons, Are They Worth It?

By Lee Wallender
Contributor

Reviewed By

Kristin Salaky Editor
We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Solar panel kits bring the eco-conscious and cost-saving advantages of solar power directly to the hands of DIYers. Standard solar panel systems can be prohibitively expensive and complex to install. DIY solar panel kits let motivated homeowners install their own solar systems while saving a significant amount of money on installation charges.

What Is Included in a Solar Panel Kit?

A solar panel kit is an all-inclusive, unified set of parts that makes up a working solar panel system. While every solar panel kit will be a bit different, it should include everything you need to collect the sun’s energy, store it, convert it and transfer it into usable power for your home or RV.

All solar panel kit components can usually be purchased individually and assembled into a solar panel system. The idea behind a solar panel kit, though, is that the planning has been done in advance. The user doesn’t need to figure out if the components are compatible; assembly is seamless and compatibility is guaranteed. The intended user is a DIYer rather than a commercial installer.

Many solar panel kits are designed to be scalable so that, to a certain limit, additional solar panels can be added to the system to increase energy output.

Components of Solar Panel Kits

Although some solar kits may contain more items than we list here, any solar kit worth your money will include the following:

Solar Panels

Solar panels form the core—and most visible component—of every solar panel kit. Solar panels collect the sun’s energy in the form of electrons. With the photovoltaic process, solar panels convert the electrons into direct current (DC) electricity, later to be converted into usable alternating current (AC) electricity by the inverter.

Battery Bank

A battery bank stores excess energy generated by solar panels. This optional item lets you gather solar energy during times when the sun is at its brightest, and then use it at night or on cloudy days. A battery bank provides energy independence. Otherwise, the energy output is limited to those times when the sun is shining.

Power Inverter and Charge Controller‎

The power inverter converts unusable DC electricity into AC electricity that is usable for appliances and devices. The charge controller prevents the battery from overcharging by regulating the flow of electricity between the solar panels and the battery. The charge controller is an optional component since a battery bank, too, is optional.

Cables and Mounting Hardware

All solar panel kits include all necessary cables to link the components. Larger solar panel kits for homes will come with hardware for mounting the panels on the roof or on the ground.

Types of Solar Panel Kits

You have a few different options when it comes to the type of solar panel kit you choose so you’ll want to do some research based on your home type and electricity needs.

Grid-Tied

Grid-tied solar panel kits are connected to the utility power grid. This offers the advantage of net metering: the ability to send solar-generated power back upstream and either cancel out your power company bill or even earn a profit. Note that net metering is not available everywhere, so again, do your research.

Off-Grid

Off-grid solar panel kits operate independently of the power grid. You’ll need to have a high-capacity battery bank, plus a backup generator is often recommended.

RV

RV DIY solar panel kits are a type of off-grid solar panel system. These smaller solar panels mount on top of or alongside an RV to provide energy when hookups are not available.

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Cost of Solar Panel Kits

At the low end of the scale, the cost of a 2,000-watt DIY solar panel kit with five solar panels ranges from $4,600 to $5,800. At the high end, the cost of a 40,000-watt DIY solar panel kit ranges in cost from $63,400 to $80,000.

A more typical 8,000-watt DIY solar panel kit with 20 solar panels costs from $15,000 to $19,000.

Companies That Sell DIY Solar Panel Kits

  • ACO Power
  • Allpowers
  • Eco-Worthy Solar
  • Go Green Solar
  • Go Power!
  • Grape Solar
  • HQST Solar
  • PluggedSolar
  • Renogy
  • WindyNation

Pros and Cons of Solar Panel Kits

Pros

  • Do it yourself
  • Cost savings
  • Green energy

Cons

  • Dangerous to install on roof
  • Risk of damage
  • Tax incentives may not be claimabl

Factors to Consider Before Installing Solar Kits

Solar Panel Types

Solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous. Most solar panels are either monocrystalline or polycrystalline.

The best solar panel kit for efficiency is one that has monocrystalline solar panels. With monocrystalline solar panels, each solar power cell is one crystal. Polycrystalline solar panel cells contain several smaller crystals in each cell. Polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels, but they are often lower cost up front.

Amorphous solar panels, made from a thin, bendable film, generate little power and are more suited for watches or calculators than for home use.

Roof Type

Installing DIY solar panel kits on steeply pitched roofs is more difficult, dangerous and expensive than lower roofs. Never install solar panels or complete any work on your roof unless you are confident you can do so safely.

One advantage of high-angled solar panels, though, is that you won’t have to clean your solar panels quite as often.

Electrical Energy Consumption

Use a solar calculator to determine the exact system size for your home’s energy. Buying a system that’s too small leaves your home without sufficient power. Buying a system that’s too large means needlessly spending more money than is required. Many DIY solar panel sites will also have resources to help you choose or even help desks with experts to guide you.

Sun-Hours and Climate

The number of sun hours and the intensity of the sun, along with climate, play into calculating energy consumption needs. Direct sunlight is always best, but this can be blocked by elements that cannot be removed (buildings, for example), which can have an effect on the solar panel output. They can also be blocked by elements that you can alter (trees) to maximize the performance of the solar panel kits.

Cost vs. Time

Be sure to first calculate the cost vs. time benefit of DIY solar panel kits. Many household improvements reach a point when the initial cost outlay has essentially been paid for, usually by an increase in property value. Solar panel kits are unique: They are the only common home improvement that can generate a direct profit prior to the sale of the house, by selling energy to the power company. Again, this won’t be available everywhere, so do your research.

Warranties

Warranty coverage for DIY solar panel kits usually will cover the product itself but will not cover the product’s performance. Warranties for many standard solar panels installed by pros cover both the product and its expected performance.

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Are Solar Panel Kits Worth It?

Besides generating green energy, another advantage of solar panels is their cost savings when you are able to maintain an energy-neutral system (no need for grid power) or to even sell the power back to the power company.

But the cost of a solar panel kit must be factored into those savings. The high upfront cost of a whole-house solar system can take years to amortize.

If you do not expect to own the house beyond the cost break-even point, then financially it may not be worth it. Check with local real estate agents to see if installing a DIY solar panel kit will be attractive to buyers and thus raise your home’s property value. You should also ask any solar panel company you research to share info on its systems’ expected outputs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many solar panels do I need to power a house?

For an average-sized house, you will need 20 to 25 solar panels to power the house. Factors that influence the number of solar panels needed include the size of the house, your energy usage needs, the type of panels and the amount of sunlight that your house receives.

What can run on a 200-watt solar panel kit?

A 200-watt solar panel kit, which includes a single solar panel about 5 feet by 2-1/2 feet, can run a laptop, fan and a few lights. It can also be used for charging a battery or running small appliances.

Can you buy and install your own solar panels?

Yes, you can buy and install your own solar panels. But it’s important to remember that all components must work in concert for the system to operate efficiently. Even if you do buy and install your own solar panels, it may be worthwhile to hire a solar panel installer to inspect your work when you are finished.

Is it cheaper to build your own solar panel system?

Generally, it is cheaper to build your own solar panel system since you will not be paying for labor. You do need to be able to commit significant time to learning how solar panel systems work, on top of the work of installing it. If your skill and commitment levels are not up to the task, then it may be cheaper to have the solar panel system installed for you by qualified professionals.

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