I got started making homemade solar panels because I love the challenge of a new project that I have never done before. Well, that and the fact that I love to learn using hands on projects. Trust me, you always learn so much more by getting into every single detail.

Being an Electrical Engineer, I have always loved tinkering and working with power so this was more of a dream project for me. And I really like the idea of saving money and the sense of pride that comes along with knowing that you have accomplished something so great.

I also like the idea of being self sufficient. Not only does this go for powering my home but also for being able to take care of most everything that life throws at me. Sure, I have run into a few things here and there that required expert help but this was not one. In fact, after I started building my own homemade solar panels and experienced how easy they were to make, I started trying to tell everyone which is what led me to build this website in the first place.

So I want to share with you some of the big reasons why I use homemade solar panels and why I think you should use them too.

Up Front Cost Savings

Sure, there are many deals on solar panels out there if you know exactly where to look. But even the best deals out there cannot even touch the cost savings of homemade solar panels. This is because you are buying the parts direct while cutting out the cost of manufacturing and all of the different price markups between the manufacturer and retail.

Long Term Cost Savings

This goes hand in hand with the up front cost savings but I think it also worth mentioning. Commercial solar power systems that costs $10,000’s can take up to 20 or 30 years before you even break even on the costs. So the less money you spend up front, the faster you break even and the more money you make in the long run.

So if it takes you only a year to break even on your system then everything after that first year is money in the bank. This also means that you get an extra 19 or more years of money in the bank when compared to the commercial option.

Flexibility

One of the other great benefits of homemade solar panels is that they offer you the most flexibility with your home solar power system. Most people cannot afford to invest in all of the up front costs required to power their entire home on solar power. But with the homemade option you can expand your system at your own pace.

I often recommend that those who cannot afford to spend much money start with one or two solar panels. Then they can reinvest the money they save each month on their energy bill into building more panels.

Knowledge

Most people do not recognize the value of knowledge when it comes to solar power systems. As I have already said, the best way to learn about solar power is to get your hands dirty. You may not realize it but during the entire process of building your homemade solar panels you are learning the details that will help you in the long run.

For example, if you ever have a problem with your home solar power system, you might have to call someone to come diagnose and fix the problem. Trust me, this can cost you a pretty penny. And most people do not have the knowledge it takes to figure out the problem on their own. But with all of the knowledge you gain by building your own solar panels and solar power system, you will be able to do this all yourself.

So as you can see, there are many benefits of homemade solar panels that you just cannot get from using commercial solar panels. And there really is no better way to make solar power affordable to everyone.