Powering Your Home Sustainably: DIY Solar Shingles for Energy Efficiency

The sun’s power is truly astounding. Did you know that the amount of energy the sun beams down onto the Earth’s surface is 16,000 times more than what all of humanity currently consumes? That’s an incredible fact – and it means that a mostly solar-powered world is not just a pipe dream, but an inevitability.

I’ve long been enamored with solar power, not just for its obvious eco-friendliness, but also for the simple joy of harnessing nature’s free and abundant energy. And in the last few years, the economics of solar have finally reached the point where it’s a no-brainer investment. Solar is now the cheapest way to generate electricity, even before you factor in any available subsidies.

So when I finally got the chance to install my own DIY solar array, I was over the moon. This project has been on my mind for years, and I’m excited to share the details with you. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into the world of DIY solar shingles and sustainable home power.

The Great Solar Journey to Durango

A few years ago, I met a fellow Mustachian named John, who owns a successful solar installation company called Shaw Solar in Durango, Colorado. John could see how long I’d been interested in a DIY solar project, so he decided to take me under his wing and help me get it done.

We spent hours discussing the technical details, crunching the numbers, and strategizing the best way to approach this project. Then, in the spring of 2017, I embarked on a spectacular road trip to Durango to visit John and his team. It was an eye-opening experience – not just for the solar education, but also for discovering the vibrant community of impressive individuals that John has surrounded himself with.

Time for the Build

Armed with John’s expert advice and newfound confidence, I finally got to work on my DIY solar array. And you know what? It turned out to be a shockingly simple process. With just one additional helper, we were able to complete the entire installation in less than a day.

The key was breaking the project down into a straightforward, step-by-step process. Here’s how it all went down:

Research and Permit: I started by figuring out exactly what I needed – how many solar panels, what size inverter, and how to get the necessary permits. Thankfully, the PVWatts calculator made the production estimates a breeze. And my local building department had a handy guide to walk me through the permit process.
Layout: With my garage roof facing the perfect southerly direction at a 30-degree angle, the layout was pretty straightforward. I just needed to determine the exact positioning of the support brackets, rails, panels, and inverter.
Install the Brackets and Rails: Using sturdy lag bolts and some waterproofing sealant, we secured the L-shaped brackets and metal rails to the roof. This created the foundation for the solar panels.
Connect the Optimizers: Next, we attached the small power optimizer boxes to the rails. These act as “babysitters” for the individual solar panels, ensuring they’re operating at peak efficiency.
Mount the Solar Panels: With the optimizers in place, we simply clicked the solar panels into the rail system. It was a breeze, especially with two of us working together.
Run the Home Run: To get the high-voltage DC wires from the panels down to the inverter, we drilled a hole in the roof and ran them through a metal conduit. This protected the wires and met all the necessary electrical code requirements.
Install the Inverter: The final step was mounting the inverter and connecting it to the grid. This part actually ended up being one of the easiest – just a few straightforward electrical connections.

And just like that, my DIY solar array was up and running! The whole process was remarkably simple, especially with a little help from an experienced solar expert.

Powering the Future, One Panel at a Time

Now that my solar system is live, I’m absolutely thrilled with the results. In the first 27 days of operation, it’s already produced over 265 kWh of clean, renewable electricity – enough to power an electric car for about 1,000 miles of driving.

The best part? This is just the beginning. My system is designed to be easily expandable, so I can simply add more panels as needed to increase my renewable energy production. And with the ongoing monitoring and performance tracking, I can keep a close eye on my system’s efficiency and make any necessary tweaks.

Of course, the financial benefits are also quite impressive. My annual savings from this solar array are estimated to be around $732 – that’s a pretty remarkable return on investment. And with the 30% federal tax credit, the upfront cost was even more manageable.

But the real joy of this project goes beyond the numbers. There’s something deeply satisfying about harnessing the sun’s power and becoming a producer of renewable energy. It’s empowering, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s just plain fun.

So if you’ve been considering going solar, I highly encourage you to take the plunge. The technology has never been more accessible or affordable, and the impact you can have is truly remarkable. Who knows – you might even catch the solar bug like I did, and find yourself embarking on your own great solar journey.