| If you have tons of appliances at home and wish for | | | | to buy. Do not attempt to overuse these products by |
| the day that you will spend less for your energy | | | | using energy more than the capacity. Overusing solar |
| consumption, you will be happy to know that DIY solar | | | | equipment decreases its productivity rate. |
| panels can cut your energy expenses by as much as | | | | * Solar products may produce less energy than stated |
| 70 percent. Aside from the huge chunk of savings, you | | | | on the package. For example, if a unit is claimed to |
| will also help in environmental conservation. | | | | produce 300 watts of energy, the truth is that it may |
| As a consumer, you must remember the following tips | | | | produce only 260 watts. A wise buyer will always buy |
| in order for you to enjoy the best performance from | | | | a product with higher energy capacity than what he |
| your solar power generator. There are several | | | | actually needs. |
| choices in the market. Some of them waste your | | | | * Also consider the efficiency rating of the product's |
| money. Some of them give great value for the money | | | | inverter. An inverter is responsible for changing the |
| you spend. | | | | power from Direct Current to alternating current. |
| * Consider that the more cells a panel has, the more | | | | Lower inverter efficiency means you will lose energy |
| energy it gathers. Always prioritize these models | | | | as the power change occurs. You will end up storing |
| especially if you use many appliances at home. These | | | | less energy. Prioritize panels with higher inverter |
| models produce higher wattage so energy recharging | | | | efficiency rating. |
| will be much faster. | | | | * Never forget to test your product at the store |
| * Check the efficiency score of the product. This tells | | | | before even thinking of making the purchase. Check |
| you how much energy a panel produces per square | | | | every individual cell to see if each of them is working. |
| inch. Compare this with the wattage productivity. A | | | | There are instances when some of these cells do not |
| product may have smaller cells (high efficiency score) | | | | function, they need to be rewired. If the seller can cut |
| but possess few of these cells (low wattage | | | | the price due to the malfunctioned cell which you think |
| productivity). | | | | you can repair, it may be a good bargain. |
| * If possible, prioritize purchase of unused products. A | | | | * There are free solar panels in the market that can |
| brand new product will produce 100 percent of its | | | | be utilized as parts of your existing equipment. You |
| productivity compared to an identical product that has | | | | can use the parts when your current units need repair |
| already been used for some time. A panel's | | | | or you can re-assemble them to make a new one. |
| productivity deteriorates with time so buying a freshly | | | | * It is also good to remember that when you decide to |
| made model benefits you the most. If you can't afford | | | | install DIY solar panels for your home, you must have |
| buying a new one, settle for slightly used panels | | | | a good instruction manual at hand. Doing it is easy and |
| instead. | | | | does not require advanced knowledge. This practice |
| * Calculate the amount of energy you need in order | | | | saves you money you otherwise would spend for an |
| for you to know how much DIY solar panels you need | | | | installation crew. |