First, the pros. Doing any home-improvement project without hiring a professional can save buckets of money - whether it's installing a new toilet, re-grouting a shower or painting a room - and the same goes for solar installations. This week, for example, technology website CNET profiled Massachusetts resident James Cormican, who installed his own solar array for just $10,000. That's about a quarter of what a professional installation would cost.
Another reason to go DIY is that a person who does her own solar installation will understand the ins and outs of her work, so she'll be capable of fixing or maintaining her array in the future. And a DIY project can provide a sense of accomplishment that would be missing if a professional contractor were hired.
There are downsides to doing a home-improvement project on one's own, though. Generally - unless a homeowner happens to be a contractor himself - there's a steep learning curve to most projects. That's certainly true of solar installations, which require knowledge of electrical systems, experience with roofing and general contracting savvy. Even Cormican, the budget-conscious DIYer, had the help of an electrician in installing his array.
Also worth keeping in mind is that professional contractors can be held liable in court if their work is subpar. If a homeowner does a shoddy job on his own solar installation, however, he'll have no such recourse and will have to fix his array himself.
And there is, of course, the time factor. A solar installation is a major undertaking, and a homeowner with a full-time job simply may not have the time for a DIY solar project.
Before embarking on a DIY solar project, it's smart to weigh both the pros and the cons of DIY. Going DIY on a solar installation can provide significant cost savings - but it may only be appropriate for people confident in their handiwork. For homeowners looking to go solar, DIY is certainly worth considering.
