Hey everyone! I'm diving into solar energy and looking to start with 8-10 rooftop panels, ideally 48v with a power output of 400w-500w each. Price is a major factor for me, and I'm not planning on battery storage—just a grid-tied inverter will do. I specifically need a 240v 60hz inverter to support my setup, and I want to keep it to a maximum of 10 panels at 500w each. Any recommendations for good online stores to get a DIY solar kit, and also, which inverter manufacturers are known to be reliable? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
Kits tend to be overpriced for what you get. Seriously, if you do some digging, you can generally find a kit online and buy the parts individually for about half the total cost. Just recently, I picked up some top-tier 580w panels for about $160 each! It's a much better deal that way.
You might want to check out Signature Solar; they have good options. However, if you're open to it, buying the components separately or even importing them yourself could save you some money. It's often just as easy!
If you're worried about costs, try hitting up electrical wholesalers. A lot of retail stores tend to charge more, and it can feel like you're paying an 'idiot's tax'! I know someone who gets panels from a wholesaler and then resells them on Facebook Marketplace for a big markup—so definitely worth checking out!
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely look into that.