Westinghouse’s DIY Install Home Solar Power System Kits

Westinghouse Solar has released a new do-it-yourself rooftop solar power system the company says can be bought off the shelf and installed at home, reducing the cost of solar energy for households.

Westinghouse Solar has released a new do-it-yourself rooftop solar power system the company says can be bought off the shelf and installed at home, reducing the cost of solar energy for households.

Before Australians get too excited by the prospect of installing their own grid-connect solar power system, it should be noted that in order to receive the Solar Credits rebate and connect to the mains grid, the system needs to be fully installed from “go to whoa” by a properly accredited professional – taking the do-it-yourself element out of the exercise altogether.

Westinghouse’s all-in-one solar kit is designed specifically for DIY-oriented home owners in the USA and features AC solar panels with integrated racking and solar inverters, roof brackets, flashings and panel splices. However, even in the USA, once installed an electrician or certified professional must wire the system to ensure safety standards are met.

According to Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Westinghouse Solar, a rapid decline in the cost of solar panels has allowed the company to lower its prices and diversify its technology. With solar materials dropping in price, he says installation has become the biggest price barrier to cheap solar power.

“These cost reductions are terrific news for consumers. What these dramatically lower prices mean is that ‘going solar’ is now a terrific investment and, like in Germany, the rooftop solar industry has the potential to grow faster than any other market segment.”

The company began testing retail versions of the DIY solar kit two years ago in the USA through Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores, and though the product proved popular with electricians and other solar specialists, it has taken until now to perfect a complete “out-of-the-box” product.

Released yesterday in the USA, the standard home solar kit includes four 235 watt solar panels and will cost the average American household, after state and federal solar incentives are figured in, around $1500.

Australians shouldn’t feel they are missing out, as the pricing works out to around $1.69 a watt before the substantial additional costs associated with hiring an electrician to wire the system and the valuable time that can be spent in not just installing it, but also navigating connection issues.

According to Australian solar solutions provider Energy Matters‘ web site, a significantly larger rooftop solar panel system the company currently has on special works out to approximately $2.08 per watt, including professional installation, assistance with connection processes, claiming solar rebates and accessing other incentives such as feed in tariffs.

Get rooftop solar panels in Brisbane. Energy Matters has a nationwide network of trusted local solar installers in Brisbane that you can access today that can provide you with up to 3 Free Solar Quotes. Complete our quick quiz and switch to solar in Brisbane today.

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