Install Your Own Solar Panels

Description

Labor and related costs account for more than half of the price of the average home solar installation. But homeowners can save thousands of dollars with this user-friendly manual, which follows the same process professional contractors use. Through detailed directions and step-by-step photos, veteran solar installer Joe Burdick and seasoned builder Philip Schmidt teach you how to determine the size, placement, and type of installation you'll need. This comprehensive DIY guide covers everything from assembling rooftop racking or building a ground-mount structure to setting up the electrical connections and making a battery bank for off-grid systems.

According to XEphem, the ☀️ transit angle (above horizon) in Phoenix, AZ, varies between about 39.5° and 80° throughout the year, so about 60° average. If the pergola is 13° pitch, that means the solar panels need to be inclined an extra 17° to face the sun most head-on.

SolarReviews shows how uneconomical solar actually is (unless perhaps you buy used panels and DIY).