Hi solar enthusiasts!

[jacksonjones495]

I’m new to the forum and excited to learn from this community. I’ve recently started exploring solar energy as a way to reduce my electricity costs and embrace renewable energy. I’m considering a DIY solar panel setup, but I’d love some advice before diving in.

[azdave]

That's a pretty wide target to hit. Can you help us narrow down our possible recommendations by telling us some basics like where you live and if you have grid-tie options in your area?

My very first piece of advice to anyone new to the game is to not consider solar at all unless you can pretty much guarantee that you won't be moving in less than 10 years (or at least after the ROI point is reached. I see many people install solar but then they end up moving 5-7 years later, way before the system would be able to return any value for their investment.

Second on my list is to live on rice-n-beans for a few years first and then pay cash for your system. Borrowing or using a HELOC to go solar is not a smart choice in my opinion.

I got into solar in 2014 when the grid-tie agreements here in Phoenix were favorable enough to get me a 6-7 year ROI. That same system installed today would have at least a 13-year ROI. If given the choice today, I would rather invest money elsewhere than install solar. For me, going solar was a long-term financial decision, not a way to be green.

[J.P.M.]

I’m new to the forum and excited to learn from this community. I’ve recently started exploring solar energy as a way to reduce my electricity costs and embrace renewable energy. I’m considering a DIY solar panel setup, but I’d love some advice before diving in.

Since you seem to be asking: Advice:
Reread what Dave wrote.
Then read it again
Then, Take off the rose-colored glasses.
Then, download a copy of "Solar Power Your Home for Dummies", a free PDF. It's a bit dated, but not entirely, and gives a good view of the basics which haven't changed much.
Then, download PVWatts, a free, user friendly solar design model from NREL. Read ALL the notes and details in the model a couple of times before making some runs. Generally an easy learning experience. Base all your runs on a 1 STC kW system and scale other system sizes from that (You'll learn what a 1 STC kW system is from the book and the model).
Then, decide and specify your goals based on what you've learned from the reads and modeling efforts.

Don't buy any equipment until you know your goals and have done a lot more information gathering.
Reason: You don't know enough about alternate energy at this time to make informed decisions.

Know this: The golden days of residential PV are pretty much behind us at this time.

BTY, and FWIW, I started in my alternate energy odyssey in the mid '70's with reading and building a solar thermal collector to experiment on. Been at it ever since.

Welcome to the forum of few(er) illusions. Enjoy your learning experience. Hope it's as much fun and as rewarding for you as it has been for me.

[georgeolivr]

Welcome aboard! DIY solar is exciting but start smart, learn the basics, define your goals, and run simulations with tools like PVWatts before buying anything. The more you prep now, the smoother your setup will be later!