There is something appealing about being off the power grid and running your electrical appliances with your own solar panel kit.  But do these kits really save money?  And what do you do when the sun isn’t shining?  A lot depends on the kind of solar power kit you choose, how much of your household or building you want to have powered by solar, and how much you’re willing to do yourself.

There are two main types of solar panel kits available for home use: solar thermal and photovoltaic. Solar thermal is basically a water heating system that uses sunlight to heat water for the occupants’ use. Since the hot water heater uses more electricity that most other household appliances, implementing a solar thermal kit would eventually pay for itself in lower electric bills.

Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity to supplement or replace traditional electrical power from a local grid. If you go this route, you will save more per month due to all appliances being run by solar power. However, it is initially more expensive, and you will want to purchase a battery to store excess energy for use when the sun is not shining.

The average cost of these kits varies. Generally, a decent set of do-it-yourself instructions can be purchased for around $50, and the materials can be purchased for under $200 at the average hardware store. Some companies, such as earthforenergy.com, offer kits for under $200. Other companies will give you a list of materials you need.

If you are willing to search, it’s likely that most materials can be found in your own workshop or a neighbor’s, or from other sources, such as your local highway department. They often have an accumulation of damaged solar panels that they might be willing to give away. Hiring professionals to provide materials and do the installation is drastically more expensive, reaching into the $1000s.

Besides lowering utility costs, there are other ways that solar panel kits can save or even make money for you. Many state governments offer significant tax breaks for those who switch to solar power. Also, if your system generates excess electricity, you may be able to sell that to your local power company. And once you know how to build and install a solar panel kit, there is potential for you to make money doing installation for others.

With the money you save or make, you can buy more energy-efficient appliances or do other home improvements. You could save toward a vacation, or invest in other green technology. Solar kits require little maintenance and last for years, so there won’t be annual or seasonal upkeep expenditures either. Overall, there is much to be said for the savings that can be incurred by using solar power.