Home solar systems need not be expensive or complicated to provide pollution-free electricity for your living quarters. One homeowner shared their impressive DIY solar setup, which they initially installed for emergencies and was still going strong after a year.
On the r/solar subreddit, they uploaded a photo of the build, which included 18 100-watt panels that feed solar power stations and expansion batteries. The panels are mounted on a homemade PVC stand at an angle along the side of the house facing the sun for maximum efficiency.
"Still producing nearly as much energy as it was a year ago," the homeowner explained. "Still pretty sturdy and barely moved in all the weather we had this year. … I wanted to thank all the people who gave me constructive criticism and kept me mindful about this."
The original poster said they have rooftop solar as well, but the DIY panels were used solely to power their "24/7 streaming setup," which includes a "gaming PC, a Starlink, room lights, musical equipment, 3D printer and much more."
The setup also came in handy during power outages that impacted California, where they live, in 2025. In a previous post, the homeowner said the panels powered the room's electronics, along with their family's phones and tablets, for 24 hours and that they still had around 40% of a charge left.
As the homeowner revealed, a home solar system with battery storage provides crucial protection during outages and energy independence. Going solar can also save tons of money on energy bills, and EnergySage can help you get started with its free tools that offer quick solar estimates and quote comparisons from vetted companies.
By using EnergySage's services, the average solar user can save around $10,000 on installation costs and have peace of mind knowing they're getting a high-quality product. Its free mapping tool enables you to see the average price of a solar system in your state, along with available tax incentives and rebates.
The company also offers free information on home battery storage options and competitive bids from qualified installers, making it easy to meet all your solar needs in one place.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
"Good on you my friend!" one user commented on the thread. "This is the type of simple, low-budget solar we all need."
"For an emergency setup, this feels like a big win," another said. "Even more so since it survived a full year of real weather."
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What's the most you'd pay per month to put solar panels on your roof if there was no down payment?
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$200 or more 💰 
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