Everything You Need to Know About DIY Solar Panel Installation

By Mark Soto

April 28, 2025

Solar panels are becoming more popular than ever as a home energy solution. To get the benefits of solar in the most economical way, some homeowners are leaning on their DIY skills and installing solar panels themselves.

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Some companies have started to take notice of this trend. You can now even buy DIY solar panel kits that come with everything you need to perform your own installation without having to pay for the high labor costs from a professional.

But is the effort worth the savings? As with any project that involves your roof and electrical components, carefulness is required and this project might not be suitable for every homeowner.

Can You Install Solar Panels Yourself?

It’s definitely possible to install solar panels yourself, but it has its complex challenges. This is not a project for the inexperienced DIY homeowner, since you’ll need to be comfortable with tools and know how to safely get on the roof. Because you’re dealing with one of the most important structures of your home and with expensive materials, greater care is needed so you don’t accidentally damage anything.

Aside from the physical requirements, you must be generally knowledgeable about your local rules, regulations and the permit process before you begin. Since it also involves electrical work, a complete DIY might not be entirely possible, but you can instead hire a licensed electrician for the wiring process and still save costs on the initial installation.

Benefits of DIY Solar Installation

Installing solar panels by yourself can save you a lot of money on labor costs. While a general residential solar panel installation can cost from $20,000 to $30,000 after tax credits, labor costs are around $3,000 to $7,000 of the price. Although the costs vary widely based on location and number of panels, the thousands of dollars you can save make it a tempting project for many.

Other than the costs, having familiarity with solar panels also makes repairs much easier. While solar panels offer the benefit of requiring little maintenance, you still need to do some repairs and cleaning once or twice a year. Instead of paying a contractor for maintenance, you might become familiar enough with them to do it yourself.

A DIY solar panel installation also grants you complete control from start to finish, in terms of what solar panels you choose and the final design. Some contractors might only install specific brands of PV panels, potentially cutting you off from options that may be best for your house. If you’re planning to do it all yourself, you can choose the best solar panel brand to better match what you want — like the panel type or level of energy efficiency — or you can even opt for secondhand panels.

You also don’t need to worry about working on someone else’s timeline if you do it all yourself. If you want to make sure your solar panels are up in time to catch the rays of the summer sun, it's well within your power to do so.

Downsides of DIY Solar Panel Installation

Hiring a professional contractor comes with high installation costs, but it also helps guarantee that your solar panels will be optimized for maximum efficiency. A major reason to get solar panels is to save money on energy costs, but a poor installation can reduce how much energy they collect. In the worst cases, a bad installation can lead to a fire or dangerous electrical shocks.

When you go with a professional, you’re also hiring someone who’s knowledgeable about your local laws and ensures your roof and home are compliant with regulations. Building codes and regulations vary significantly from state to state and even among cities, so you won’t always be able to find general rules online that you can easily follow for a solar panel installation. This can make the installation process frustrating or delay it until you’re clear on the rules.

Another thing to consider is that some solar panel warranties or your insurance may require a licensed professional to install them. You might end up voiding the warranties or violating your insurance policy if you install it yourself. This can prove costly in the long run and cost you more than if you had just hired someone. While you might spend more by hiring a contractor, you also grant yourself peace of mind by doing so.

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How to: DIY Solar Kit Installation

If you’re buying a DIY solar kit, they’ll have their own specific installation steps, so consult the instructions before busting out the tools.

Note: This is in no way intended to be an installation guide, but rather an overview of the steps. Please consult a detailed isntructional guide before attempting to install your own solar system, as working with electricity — especially if you're inexperienced — can be dangerous.

Here's a general guide to get an idea of the process:

Acquire Permits and Equipment

First, collect any of the necessary permits required to install the solar panels. You’ll need to buy a hard hat, voltage meter, safety glasses, safety gloves, screwdrivers, wrench and a fire extinguisher in case of fire.

Locate a Mounting Location

Find out where the roof rafters are located in the attic and mark the spot on the roof that’s directly above them. You’ll install the solar panel mounting system directly above them. The mount should be angled anywhere from 20 to 40 degrees from the sun, depending on the instructions to get the most sun exposure.

Attach Solar Panels to the Mount

Next, you’ll need to attach the panels to the mount with the method provided in the packaging. Some panels are attached with fasteners, and others use a clamping system or a combination of both. This will require you to use screwdrivers for the fasteners and a wrench to tighten the clamps.

Run Wiring

After installing the panels firmly on the roof, you’ll need to do the wiring from the solar inverter to your home electrical panel. This is the part where you may need to stop and have a professional electrician come and finish the installation. In fact, that is highly recommended — and may even be required in your jurisdiction. You’re dealing with high voltage levels, so it can be seriously dangerous.

Get a Professional Inspection

After finishing the wiring, you’ll need to schedule a professional inspection from your local building department to ensure you follow all local regulations and safety codes.

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