Renewable energy is the way of the future, and it is becoming more accessible every day. Advancements in technology have made solar panels much cheaper than they were 10 years ago, and there are now several companies across the US that will install solar systems in your home.

Putting solar panels on your roof still isn’t cheap, but if done correctly, they can easily pay for themselves after a few years by saving cash on your electricity bill. 

Quick Comparison

image product details
Best Overall Best Overall “Topsolar Solar Panel Kit” Topsolar Solar Panel Kit
  • Wattage: 520W
  • Weight: 15.84 lbs
  • Dimensions: 45.6×20.07×1.38
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Budget Pick Budget Pick “WindyNation 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit” WindyNation 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit
  • Wattage: 3000W
  • Weight: 18 lbs
  • Dimensions: 40×26.4×1.2
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Bluetti AC200 MAX [Nomad Kit]
  • Wattage: 4800W
  • Weight: 26.5 lbs
  • Dimensions: 58.7×26.8×1.4
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“Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel” Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
  • Wattage: 400W
  • Weight: 14.3 lbs
  • Dimensions: 42.4x20x1.4
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Lion Safari ME [GOLD] Kit
  • Wattage: 4000W
  • Weight: 19 lbs
  • Dimensions: 26.6x40x1
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EcoFlow Delta 1800W / 1300wH Solar Generator [Quad Kit]
  • Wattage: 3300W
  • Weight: 16 lbs
  • Dimensions: 47.2×21.8×1.4
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ECO-WORTHY 4KW 16KWH 48V Complete Solar Power System Kit
  • Wattage: 3500W
  • Weight: 29.2 lbs
  • Dimensions: 58.3×26.3×1.4
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5000 Watt (5kW) DIY Solar Install Kit
  • Wattage: 5000W
  • Weight: 51.8 lbs
  • Dimensions: 79.13×39.37×1.6
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GOWE Complete Solar System
  • Wattage: 2400W
  • Weight: 17.6 lbs
  • Dimensions: 39.8×21.3×1.2
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What makes solar panels expensive is not even the cost of the panels themselves but the price of hiring contractors to install them.

You also need other pieces of equipments such as inverters and charge controllers to make sure you can use the energy you’re generating.

If you are a DIY minded person, there are plenty of solar kits you can buy which come with most of the necessary components for installing a renewable energy system on the roof of your house, tiny home or RV. 

From small panel sets for boats and camper vans, to large multi-panel solar arrays for mounting onto your roof, there are many sizes of solar kit available on the market.

Even if you just buy a small bundle for recharging a portable power station, you will still have a great source of free energy that you can use when going off-grid or during a power outage. This article will take you through some of the best solar kits available that you can buy for use in your home.

We will cover packages that contain just a few panels for tiny homes or RV’s, as well as massive bundles for powering a whole house. 

Different Components Sold In Solar Kits

You need more than just solar panels if you want to start producing your own renewable energy. It is also essential to have some means of converting the power you generate into usable electricity that is compatible with your devices.

Larger solar systems will require batteries for storing excess energy, so it can be used during the night. Here are some of the most important components of any good solar kit. 

Solar Panels

Naturally, you can’t have a solar kit without a solar panel or two. The number of panels in a kit will dictate how much energy your system will be able to generate. There are 3 different types of panel that are commonly used, including: monocrystalline poly crystalline and, thin film solar panels.

We will go into more detail on the difference between these panels later on in our buyer’s guide. Rigid panel are the best for mounting onto your roof, however there are also folding units that are more portable and easy to set up on any flat surface. 

Solar Charge Controller

This is another essential component that regulates the output voltage and current from your panels. The charge controller’s job is to make sure your panels don’t overwhelm the storage batteries or power meter in your home with too high a voltage.

Most ‘12V’ solar panels will have to produce more than 12Vs to ensure they can still run in suboptimal conditions such as cloudy days. If you want to avoid current or voltage spikes damaging your system, then you will need a solar charge controller to regulate the output of your panels. 

Battery Bank 

Not all solar kits will include a battery for holding power generated by the panels, so you may need to buy one separately. Portable power stations, or even regular car batteries, are vital for getting the most out of your system. They will store energy produced by the panels for use at night.

It can be useful to have a battery capable of pass-through charging, which means it can be charged and recharged at the same time without loosing maximum capacity. Even if you choose a low wattage system, then a  battery can still be necessary to get maximum energy efficiency. 

Solar Inverter

Solar panels output direct current (DC) which isn’t compatible with most electrical appliances in our homes. As such, it is necessary to have an inverter for converting the DC into regular alternating current.

If your kit doesn’t come with an inverter, then you will probably need one in order to use the power generated from the panels. Some battery banks will have inbuilt power inverters, which provides a great way of killing two birds with one stone. 

Wiring and Mounting Brackets

All solar kits designed for domestic households will include mounting brackets for attaching the panels to your roof. You will also need the necessary cables and wiring to connect all the different parts of your system together.

Some kits will have extra outputs for accommodating more panels, which is a useful thing to have if you plan on expanding your system in the future.

Most solar kits will use PV cables for connecting the panels together, but if these aren’t included, you can often buy them from electrical goods shops such as Lowes. 

1. Topsolar Solar Panel Kit

“AIMS Power 10,000W Inverter”

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in):  45.6(l) x 20.07(w) x 1.38(h)

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 15.84

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

This is a smaller kit that is great for providing electricity to a small boat or RV. It won’t cover the energy consumption of a household, but it could be used to charge up a portable power station for keeping certain devices running during a power outage.

The kit includes a single 100W panel, along with a solar charge controller, mounting brackets and cables. There isn’t a battery bank or inverter, but if you already own either, then this bundle is a great choice for powering them. 

If you are on a budget then this kit is very affordable, and still offers a monocrystalline panel, which is more energy efficient than the polycrystalline variety.

The panel is covered by a protective layer of tempered glass with an aluminum frame, which makes it very durable and capable of withstanding both high winds and snow. There are pre-drilled holes on the underside for easily attaching the unit to the provided mounting brackets. 

The solar charge controller has a 20a output and is compatible with one or two standard 12V batteries. This allows you to potentially expand this system with more panels.

For 24V systems over 520W, you will need a larger charge controller, but this means you can still have up to 5 panels linked together and attached to a single battery. Although this kit is small, it is also very versatile and is a great starting place for anyone who is curious about solar power but isn’t ready to make the large upfront payment required for a larger system. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in):  45.6(l) x 20.07(w) x 1.38(h)
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 15.84
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 1* solar panel, 1* solar charge controller, 4* mounting brackets, 2* red and black solar cables. 
  • Warranty: 1 year

Pros: 

  • Highly durable panel made from tempered glass and aluminum. 
  • Has the potential to be expanded. 
  • Pre-drilled holes on the panel make installation much easier. 
  • Affordable. 

Cons: 

No battery or inverter included. 

  • Small power output. 

2. WindyNation 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit

“WindyNation 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit”

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 40(l) x 26.4(w) x 1.2(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 18

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

Polycrystalline solar panels aren’t as energy efficient as those made from monocrystalline silicone. Despite the small reduction in power output, these cells are significantly cheaper, which makes them a good choice for anyone who wants to install a solar system without breaking the bank.

This kit made by WindyNation includes two polycrystalline panels along with a solar charge controller, power inverter and all the necessary fittings required for installations. 

The 1500W modified sine inverter is a great inclusion and has a 3000W surge capacity for powering devices that need a lot of energy when starting up. Since it outputs modified sine AC, you should always be cautious when plugging in laptops or phones in case they overheat.

This inverter comes with three AC outlets along with all the cables you need to link it up to your panels. 

There is a 30A charge controller for preventing voltage or current spikes from damaging your battery or inverter. Unfortunately, to make your system completely safe you will also need three different types of fuse, which aren’t included in this kit.

With 40ft of cabling and eight mounting brackets, this kit is very easy to install by anyone with a little DIY knowledge. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 40(l) x 26.4(w) x 1.2(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 18
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100 
  • Panel type: Poly
  • Included parts: 2* panels, 1* 30A solar charge controller, 1* 1500W modified sine inverter, 1* solar and inverter cable sets, 8* mounting brackets. 
  • Warranty: 1-year 

Pros: 

  • Affordable kit with two panels and an inverter. 
  • Comes with 40ft of cabling and mounting brackets. 
  • Expandable. 
  • Inverter has three 120V AC outlets. 

Cons: 

  • Polycristalline panels are less energy efficient. 
  • No fuses included

3. Bluetti AC200 MAX [Nomad Kit]

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 58.7(l) x 26.8(w) x 1.4(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 26.5

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 200

This Bluetti kit comes with a solar generator that acts as both a storage battery and a power inverter. The power station packs a lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 2048Wh, as well as a 2,200W pure sine wave inverter that has a surge capacity of 4800W.

With this generator you can easily power almost any appliance in your home through one of its 13 outputs which include four 120V AC outlets as well as USBs and a car cigarette lighter port. 

You will receive three 200W solar panel to charge your generator with, and there is a choice between rigid or folding panels depending on what you would prefer. The folding panels are better for taking camping with you if you plan to use your power station off the grid.

However, for mounting to a roof, it will be better to choose the rigid panels which have pre-drilled holes on the back to help with installation. 

Bluetti sell expansion batteries for increasing your storage capacity should you need to. The kit includes all the necessary cables, as well as three different types of charging cable for the battery bank.

This allows you to fully charge your battery in 2 hours by plugging it into an AC wall outlet and the solar panels at the same time. Since the generator has a pure sine wave inverter built into it, you can rely upon this unit to charge your laptop or computer without overheating it. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 58.7(l) x 26.8(w) x 1.4(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 26.5
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 200
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 3* solar panels, 1* Bluetti 2,200W solar generator, 12* mounting brackets, 3* charging adapters, 1* solar panel extension cable, 1* set of branch connectors.  
  • Warranty: 2 year

Pros: 

  • Comes with solar generator which acts as a storage battery and inverter in one unit. 
  • Pure sine wave output on the generator can power laptops and mobile phones.
  • Choice between rigid and folding panels. 

Cons: 

  • No Solar charge controller. 

4. Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel

“Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel”

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 42.4(l) x 20(w) x 1.4(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 14.3

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

This affordable bundle offers four monocrystalline Renogy solar panels as well as a 30A charge controller. Together, these units are capable of charging both 12 and 24V car batteries or a solar generator, provided you have the right connectors.

You will need to already have a battery for storing the power that these panels generate, as well as an inverter if you want to convert your energy into usable AC. 

The best part about Renogy’s panels is that they are very easy to expand upon. This kit can be used to supplement an existing solar system and has all the necessary branch connectors and solar adapters included in the box.

One thing worth noting is the lack of mounting brackets, which means you may need to buy your own screws and Z-brackets in order to install these panels. 

With four 100W panels, you will have more than enough power for a tiny home or RV. You can easily buy multiple sets and link them together for providing energy to a house, although you may need to buy a bigger charge controller.

The panels have a corrosion resistant aluminum frame for withstanding all weather conditions, as well as waterproof junction boxes to prevent short circuits. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 42.4(l) x 20(w) x 1.4(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 14.3
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 4* solar panels, 1* wanderer 30A charge controller, 1* pair of 9in solar adapters, 1* pair of male and female branch connectors. 
  • Warranty: 5 year workmanship warranty. 

Pros: 

  • Easy to expand with more panels. 
  • Panels have pre-drilled holes to help with installation. 
  • The charge controller is compatible with 12V and 24V batteries. 
  • The panels have waterproof  junction boxes and a corrosion resistant frame. 

Cons: 

  • You will need longer cables if you want the charge controller to be further than 9in away from the panels. 
  • No inverter or battery bank. 

5. Lion Safari ME [GOLD] Kit

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 26.6(l) x 40(w) x 1(h) (when unfolded) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 19

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

The 4 solar panels included in this kit can be folded in half, and there are handles on the side for carrying them like a suitcase. This makes the solar cells much more portable and easy to take off-grid with you on camping trips.

You can use the Lion Safari ME portable solar generator that comes with this kit to power any appliance, anywhere. As well as the power station and panels, you will also receive a battery expansion for getting even more energy out of your new solar system. 

The Safari ME solar generator has a battery capacity of 2048Wh, when hooked up to its expansion cell.

There is a pure sine wave inverter built into this unit that has a continuous output of 2000W and a surge capacity of 4000W, which is more than enough for running almost any household appliance. Together, the battery bank and expansion will take roughly 5 hours to charge using the solar panels. 

The panels themselves are made from monocrystalline silicone, which promises maximum energy efficiency.

A possible problem is that the folding design will make these cells difficult to mount onto a roof. You can add an extra four panels to this set-up for 800W of free power from the sun, delivered straight into your battery bank. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 26.6(l) x 40(w) x 1(h) (when unfolded) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 19
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100
  • Panel type: Mono 
  • Included parts: 4* solar panels, 1* Lion Safari ME portable power station, 1* Lion Safari expansion battery, 2* 25ft solar panel extension cables, 1* AC wall charger, 1* set of three LED string lights. 
  • Warranty: 1 year

Pros: 

  • Comes with solar generator plus an expansion battery. 
  • Folding panels are easy to transport. 
  • Able to be expanded with 4 extra panels. 

Cons: 

  • Panels may be difficult to mount on a roof. 

6. EcoFlow Delta 1800W / 1300wH Solar Generator [Quad Kit]

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 47.2(l) x 21.8(w) x 1.4(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 16

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

This is another kit that comes with a solar generator for storing your energy for when you need it. In this bundle you will receive a 1800W EcoFlow Delta power station along with 4 rigid, monocrystalline solar panels for charging it.

With a surge capacity of 3,300W, the Delta is a powerful generator that has a range of other useful features. For one, this battery bank will automatically turn on if it detects a power outage to keep your sensitive electronics safe from damage. 

This unit also has superfast charging time and takes only 1 hour to get from 0 to 80% when plugged into a 110V AC wall outlet. Using the solar panels, recharging may take up to 3-4 hours, however this is still significantly faster than many of its competitors.

The Delta has 13 different outputs, including 6 USBs of varying types and 6 pure sine wave AC outlets. It can also be chained with other EcoFlow generators to expand your maximum battery capacity, should you require. 

The panels included in this kit output 100W each and there is the option to add four more for a total of 800W going straight into your battery bank. They have a frame made of anodized aluminum, which is durable and resistant to all forms of corrosion.

With high quality cells, each panel can still produce energy on cloudy days, which means you won’t have to worry about a spell of bad weather leaving you without power. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 47.2(l) x 21.8(w) x 1.4(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 16
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 1* EcoFlow Delta 1800W solar generator, 4* solar panels, 1* XT60 to MC4 solar panel cable, 1* 3ft extension cable, 1* pair of branch connectors, 1* AC wall charger and car charger, 1* carrying case. 
  • Warranty: 2 year 

Pros: 

  • Includes 1800W, solar generator with 3,300W surge capacity. 
  • The power station has exceptionally fast charge times. 
  • Durable panels with anodized aluminum frame. 

Cons: 

  • No mounting brackets for attaching panels to roof. 

7. ECO-WORTHY 4KW 16KWH 48V Complete Solar Power System Kit

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 58.3(l) x 26.3(w) x 1.4(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 29.2

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 195

Many of the kits we have looked at so far are for generating a small amount of electricity, or charging a battery bank that you can use to power your house during a power outage.

If you want to properly equip your house to generate most of its energy from the sun, then you will need a much bigger system such as this one made by Eco-Worthy. With all 20 panels in this kit, you can generate just under 4KWs of free energy from the sun. 

Naturally, you will need somewhere to store all of this electricity, and Eco-Worthy offer a choice of either lithium or lead batteries for this purpose. Which ever you pick, you will receive 8 100AH batteries which can be linked up to hold all the energy produced by your system.

All the panels are linked up in groups of 4 and then connected to a combiner box which contains fuses and other necessary safety measures to protect your system from voltage or current spikes. 

The combiner box and all the batteries are then plugged into the 48V pure sine wave solar inverter, which kicks out a continuous 3,500W of AC for powering the appliances in your home.

All the cables and mounting brackets are included with this kit, so you can easily set up your own solar systems for powering your house.

This bundle is expensive, but still much cheaper than hiring a private company to install panels on your roof. With this kit fully installed, you can cut a hefty chunk out of your monthly electricity bill. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 58.3(l) x 26.3(w) x 1.4(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 29.2
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 195 
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 20* solar panels, 8* 100AH batteries, 1* 6-string combiner box, 1* 3500W inverter, 6* solar cables, 1* tray cable, 4* battery cables, 20* mounting brackets.  
  • Warranty: 1 year on combiner, batteries and inverter, 2 year on the panels. 

Pros: 

  • Can fully power a house that consumes under 4KWs. 
  • Combiner box for protecting against voltage or current spikes. 
  • Powerful inverter capable of powering any appliances that draws under 3500W. 
  • Pure Sine Wave output with no harmful electromagnetic pollution. 

Cons: 

  • Difficult to install for those without DIY experience. 
  • Expensive

8. 5000 Watt (5kW) DIY Solar Install Kit

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 58.3(l) x 26.3(w) x 1.4(h) 

    Panel Weight (lb per panel): 29.2

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 195

With the way most solar panels are connected together, if one of them breaks, it can often cause the rest of the panels to fail as well. That’s why this DIY solar kit comes with a micro-inverter for each panel, so your whole array can keep working, even when one of the cells has been compromised.

Since each panel has its own inverter, the only thing missing from this kit is a battery, which you will have to buy separately for storing the 5KW that this system produces. 

The company offers a free monitoring system for keeping track of how much power your solar array produces. There is also the option to hire their Plan Set & interconnection service, where they will handle all the necessary paperwork and permit seeking required before you can install your panels.

They don’t offer a lot of the wiring and other basic components such as junction boxes, but all of these parts can be easily acquired from electrical goods shops such as Lowes. 

All the necessary screws, mounting brackets and railings are included in this kit. You will need to make sure your roof can support the weight of all 13 panels before installation. If it can then this system will allow you to offset 40-90% of your monthly energy bill with 5000W, of clean solar energy.  

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 79.13(l) x 39.37(w) x 1.6(h) 
  • Panel Weight(lb per panel): 51.8
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 400
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 13* solar panels, 13* Enphase IQ7 microinverters, 13* sets of mounting brackets and screws, 3* solar railings. 
  • Warranty: 25 year

Pros: 

  • Each panel has its own microinverter, so the whole array can continue functioning when one of the panels is damaged. 
  • The company offers a service to handle the paperwork and permits often required for solar installations. 
  • Produces enough power for a whole house. 
  • Free system monitoring to see how much power you are generating. 

Cons: 

  • Doesn’t include wiring or batteries. 
  • Expensive. 

9. GOWE Complete Solar System 

Specifications

  • Panel Dimensions (in): 39.8(l) x 21.3(w) x 1.2(h)

    Panel Weight (lb): 17.6

    Panel output (per panel in Watts): 100

This is another kit that contains everything you need for producing your own clean energy. Each bundle includes 24 100W solar panels, and you can choose between multiple sizes of inverter depending on the power consumption of your home.

There are also 4 pure gel, deep cycle, rechargeable batteries for storing all your power and supplying it to the inverter. 

With the right size of inverter, you could easily fully power your house with one of these systems, although you may need a few extra panels to fully supply the 8KW version.

The inverter also contains an inbuilt solar charge controller, so you can monitor how much power you consume and generate. This also prevents your system being damaged by voltage or current spikes. 

The set includes a mounting cable as well as a full set of brackets for attaching the panels to your roof. With 24 panels in total, you will need a large roof to fit the full array, as well as a strong one to support all the weight.

Price varies depending on the size of inverter you want, but no matter what option you pick, you will save money on hiring a private contractor. 

Specs:

  • Panel Dimensions(in): 39.8(l) x 21.3(w) x 1.2(h)
  • Panel Weight(lb): 17.6
  • Panel output(per panel in Watts): 100 
  • Panel type: Mono
  • Included parts: 24* panels, 4* 200AH batteries, 1* Inverter (multiple sizes available from 3-8KW, + mounting cabling and brackets. 
  • Warranty: N/A

Pros: 

  • Capable of powering a whole house with renewable energy. 
  • Inverter includes inbuilt solar charge controller. 
  • Panels are lightweight, which will make installation easier. 
  • Affordable solar kit that is cheaper than hiring a private contractor. 

Cons: 

  • Panels are thin and may be delicate. 
  • Large roof area required to accommodate the entire array. 

Buyers Guide

Best Home Solar Kit

The best home solar kit for you will depend on how much power you need as well as several other factors. Installing a new energy system into your house is always going to be a sizable investment, so you will want to make sure you buy the correct kit for meeting all of your needs.

This section will tell you some of the most important things to consider before you purchase a solar bundle. 

Different Types Of Panel

Solar cells are made from silicone, and different panels will use different types of silicone to convert sunlight into energy. Nearly all the panels on this list are the monocrystalline variety, which means they are made from a single piece of continuous silicone.

These cells are the most expensive out of all the different types, but that is because they are also the most energy efficient. They also perform much better at low levels of sunlight, which makes them appropriate for areas which experience a lot of cloudy weather. 

Polycrystalline panels on the other hand are made from several pieces of silicone melted together. They have lower efficiency, which means they will take longer to produce the same amount of power as a monocrystalline solar cell.

However, this also makes them cheaper, which is great for anyone working on a budget. These panels produce less waste during production, since any spare silicone can be melted down to make more panels. 

The final type of solar panel sold on the market are those that use thin-film cells. These are made from placing films of photovoltaic materials such as silicone, cadmium or copper over each other. Thin-film panels are the cheapest on the market and are often quite bendy and flexible.

They also have the lowest energy efficiency of the three different types, which makes them only suitable for situations where you don’t need as many watts per minute. 

How Big Is Your Roof

Before you can mount a solar array on your roof, you will need to measure it to make sure all the panels will fit. For houses in the Northern Hemisphere, you will want all of your panels to be placed on a south-facing rooftop.

Most solar kits will tell you the rough dimensions of the panels included, so make sure you buy a bundle that will fit on your roof. It is also important to make sure that your roof has been well maintained and that the supports beneath it are strong enough to hold your solar array.

Because of this, you should always check the weight of any panels you buy as well as their dimensions. 

Some kits will have folding panels for recharging a portable power stations. This solar generator can easily be hooked up to appliances in your house for saving on energy bills or as a back-up source of electricity during a power outage.

In this case placing the panels on your roof may be difficult, but not to worry as you can easily set up an array in your garden instead. 

What Does It Include

There aren’t many solar kits that include absolutely everything you will need for equipping your house to produce its own renewable energy. It is normally very easy to buy the missing part online, but you will need to make sure that they are compatible with your chosen kit.

Often it is better to find a bundle that includes an inverter, as this is one of the most essential parts you will need. Without it, you won’t be able to use any of the energy you produce, and you will need one with sufficient output to power any devices you plan to use with your new solar system.

Batteries are less important, as most solar panels will be compatible with a standard 12V car battery. Always plan your budget to include any extra parts you may need that aren’t in your chosen solar kit. 

Read More: Best Solar Panel Kits (Reviews & Buy Guide)

FAQs

  • How Do Solar Panels Work?

    There are two main types of solar panel, including solar thermal panels and photovoltaic panels. Both of them work slightly different to fulfill their own unique function.

    All the panels on this list are made from photovoltaic cells, which use semiconductors like silicone to converted sunlight directly into electricity.

    This energy is produced as direct current(DC) and then passed through an inverter to produce AC power that can be used by the appliances in your household.

    Solar thermal cells on the other hand use sunlight to heat up cylinders of water, and serve the function of providing heating for a home. These panels can be made to produce electricity through the use of a dynamo, but they are mainly used for providing domestic hot water.

  • Do Solar Panels Work Best When Hot? 

    Contrary to popular belief, solar panels work better at lower temperatures. This means that panels installed in warm climates, where there is a lot of direct sunlight, won’t be operating at maximum efficiency due to the excess heat.

    Higher temperatures will make the electrons in the panel more excited, which will reduce the voltage of each cell. Furthermore, heat will increase the resistance of all the circuits in your solar array, making them less able to carry current.

    When installing solar systems in warmer climates, always leave enough space between the panel and the roof to facilitate airflow and cooling.

  • How Many Kw Do I Need To Run My House? 

    The number of kilowatts you need to generate for running your house off solar energy will depend on how many appliances you use every day. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the average American household will consume 10,715 kWh in a single month.

    This converts to roughly 11.647 KW of power. Considering this, it will be very difficult to achieve complete energy independence using solar panels. However, even offsetting 40% of your monthly energy bills can make a significant difference.

  • Will Solar Panels Work In Cloudy Weather?  

    Solar panels will be most efficient in direct sunlight, however they can also work at lower light intensities as well. Most large panels will be able to absorb energy on cloudy days, although they won’t be able to do so with maximum efficiency.

    Solar cells won’t work at all during the night, so if your area experiences long, dark winters, then you will need to be prepared to use the main power grid during nighttime. This is one reason batteries are such an essential component of any renewable energy system.

    Storage cells allow you to build up a bank of power during the day, so you can continue using it at night or during periods of very low sunlight.

    If you live in an area with very little direct sunlight, then solar panels may still be a viable option if you can afford to buy bigger batteries for storing more energy.