Solar Panel Kits

Solar panel kits are now being sold to help make the task of installing your own solar panels a lot easier. These kits differ in what they include – some will include all of the supplies you need whereas others are simply a detailed guide designed to help save you as much money as possible. Here’s a quick guide to the kind of supplies you can expect to have to buy when you use these kits.

Tools

The guide or kit you choose will let you know the best tools for performing the jobs laid out in the instructions. You’ll probably already have a lot of these tools – you won’t require anything too specialist. Some examples of the tools you’ll need include metal shears and alligator clips.

Protective Equipment

It’s important to keep yourself protected at all times. When following guides in solar panel kits make sure that you keep your eyes, ears, hands and feet safe with protective gear. You’ll also want to buy a ladder stabilizer to keep it sturdy while you go up on the roof. You may already have some of this equipment. If not, make sure you factor it into the costs of installing your own solar panels.

Materials For The Solar Panels

Some solar panel kits will come with some materials, others won’t to save you money. Here are a few examples of some of the supplies you may need to buy yourself:

* Copper Flashing: This is sold in most hardware stores and costs around $5 for each square foot. You’re going to need around ½ a square foot for each solar panel you install.

* Wire Brush: You’ll need this to clean the copper sheets before you heat them up using a source such as an electric stove.

* Micro-Ammeter: To read currents from 10 to 50 microamperes.

Many of the supplies you’ll need for a DIY solar panel installation will be items you already have. If not, then they can be bought at stores or even borrowed from people you know. Because of this, you could be installing your own solar panels for as little as $200!

The guides in solar panel kits will always let you know the exact materials you need to buy. It’s important that you follow these guides exactly – if not, you may find that your solar panels don’t work, or that they aren’t as effective as they could be. Investing in a good guide should always be your number one aim if you’re taking on the task of installing solar panels yourself.