After designing and building his own $9,000 rooftop solar panel array, one homeowner shared on Reddit's r/SolarDIY community how he went solar without relying on expensive contractors.
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the DIYer said he built a 9.9-kilowatt grid-tied solar system on his barn roof for about $9,000, using a homemade tractor lift to place 18 panels while his wife helped pull them into position and fasten them down.
The hardware included 18 ZnShine ZXM7-SHDB144 550-watt modules, an EG4 FlexBOSS18 inverter, IronRidge XR100 rails, and Tigo TS4-A-F MLPE rapid-shutdown units.
The original poster also wrote that the job took most of three weekends, and he had already handled permitting and net-metering filing with his utility. After deciding in the first week of October to move ahead with the project, he spent a few days researching and eventually found the panels a few hours away.
But before mounting any panels, OP addressed a roof issue by replacing all exposed-fastener screws after spotting a small leak in one of them.
One commenter asked, "What was the single Tigo TS4-A-F MLPE RSD for?" The original poster replied, "It's one per panel," clarifying that each module had its own shutdown device. Another user simply wrote, "This is awesome."
More background
For anyone considering a similar setup, the main lessons were straightforward. Always research the equipment ahead of time, check for local panel deals, inspect the roof before mounting anything, and include permits and utility paperwork in the plan.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy and can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings. Readers can use EasyHome's free tools to see potential savings from vetted installers in their area and explore leasing options if upfront costs are too high.
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For homeowners who want solar savings without a full DIY build, EasyHome's free explorer tool can surface vetted installer options in your area. EasyHome can also help readers explore backup battery storage; pairing solar with a battery can maximize savings while letting homeowners power their home with solar when the grid goes down.
Where can I learn more?
Here are a few more examples of homeowners taking solar projects into their own hands to cut costs and work around installation hurdles.
• A solar skeptic rejected a $30,000 contract and built a battery-first system for just over $8,000.
• A workshop owner skipped a $4,000 trench and relied on a $2,200 DIY solar setup instead.
• One homeowner turned to used panels, free pallets, and ballast to slash solar costs.
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