![]() ![]() In this case, going with a solar installation company will be far smoother, stress-free, and satisfying.WANT A SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM AT THE LOWEST COST? START SOLAR DESIGN It can be a learning experience and an interesting project.īut if you’re just trying to save a few quid, then you’ll likely be disappointed with the return on your time. If you’re into DIY for the passion, and the savings come as a cherry on top – then half-DIY solar may be worth considering. Roof-mounted solar panels (less work you can do yourself) Ground-mounted solar panels (you can do more work yourself) You want one point of contact who takes full responsibility for the job You’re comfortable dealing with multiple contractors and suppliers You want a learning experience and a challenge ![]() When you should and shouldn’t half-DIY solar panels You should And that’s before you lay your hand on a single tool. Understand that you’ll be getting knee-deep in regulations, contracts, and research. So you could be left out of pocket to fix any problems that arise. With a solar installation company, you have a single point of contact that’s responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly.īut with an assortment of independent tradespeople, plus equipment suppliers – you may find that no-one wants to take responsibility when something goes wrong. What are the pitfalls of half-DIY solar installations? There’s also an extra sense of achievement: The felling of “I did that” when you look up at your solar panel system. Ordering your own equipment can open up a wider selection of solar panel and inverter brands. This is because many solar installers have a limited menu of brands that they work with. You can also take greater control of the hardware that you purchase. You’ll do many hours of research on how the technology works… so by the time your panels are installed you’ll know exactly how to take care of them and get the most from them. Probably the greatest benefit of half-DIY solar is the amount you’ll learn along the way. What are the other benefits of half-DIY solar installations? Equipment from those sites is unlikely to meet the Irish regulations. Stay away from Alibaba and eBay solar kits. These are solartricity.ie and midsummer.ie. There are two main suppliers that offer solar panels to the public in Ireland. Especially to keep panels at least 50 cm from roof edges Where can you buy solar panels for half-DIY installation in Ireland? Make sure to follow the rules for planning permission exemptions. You must use an inverter that conforms to IS EN 50549-1 (with documents to prove it)Īll hardware must be CE marked and conform to the National Rules for Electrical Installations. Your electrician must notify ESB Networks of the installation by submitting form NC6 With the hardware loosely placed in-situ the actual wiring-up will be a quick and easy job for the electrician (provided you did everything correctly!) The rules on how to do this (legally) are contained in the National Rules for Electrical Installations (a copy will set you back over around €120). The most you can legally do is to lay the cable runs loosely in place, mount the inverter to the wall, etc. What are the main regulations to be aware of?Īs mentioned, a qualified electrician must sign off on the installation – and make the actual electrical connections. ![]() When all’s said and done, you may make some savings, but not dramatic ones, compared to a decent quote from a solar installation company. Specifically, you won’t be obliged to get a BER cert – saving you €200. On the plus side, skipping the grant cuts down on the bureaucracy. Versus 13.5% all-round for complete installation fitting)Ĭoncrete/ballast, support structures, and groundwork (~€500 – €2,500) Potentially even a new consumer unit (fuse box) (€500+ inc. Residual Current Device, AC wiring, DC wiring, isolators, end caps, cable ducts, … National Rules for Electrical Installations However, there are plenty of hidden costs that narrow the gap: Hidden Cost Indeed, the cost of hardware can be as little as half the price of a fully-installed system. Will half-DIY solar save you money?Īt first glance, DIY solar may seem far cheaper than a fully-installed solar panel system from a solar installer. So the rest of this article will focus on “half-DIY” solar. Hiring a professional roofer and electrician to do the rest.Doing as much work as you can safely and legally.Independently ordering solar hardware for yourself.Still, it is possible to “half-DIY” a solar installation by: Working at heights (to fit panels on a roof) is also something you should not attempt unless you’re fully qualified to do so. However, other work (like the electrical work) must only be carried out by a qualified tradesman. There are certain aspects of a solar installation that you might be qualified to carry out yourself. ![]()
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