Is a DIY Solar Installation Worth It? Common Misconceptions and Difficulties Explained 

Thank you!

@@Superiorsolarconsulting seriously I have watched your other videos and I don't think I commented on how good they were and how much they helped me understand the residential solar stuff! double thx!

Tesla and Enphase are by far the most advanced systems

Are you one of those who left Cisco because of security issues and then bought Huawei equipment? 😂

Contractors I work with say they can’t rely on an online store when they need robust, in person supply warehouse with entire professional staff who can speak the language and get materials to homes within an hour if needed. It can be devastating to a business to show up to an installation and not have all of the correct materials. You would be surprised at how big of a deal this actually is and how much money can be lost due to scheduling issues with supply chains and materials, not making it either on time or correctly.

It’s all China, so…

Well there is almost no regulation and there’s certain people quoting outrageous numbers. That’s a huge system you are being quoted. Have you actually gotten it installed? A competent installer that actually understands this business would never even begin installing that for less than $20,000

90k? Not even sunpower systems are that expensive. What are they even installing? gold panels?

The EG4 and ecoflow are the equivalents of a normal screwdriver and a professional grade solar system is like a power drill. You can look at both tools on the surface level without the knowledge to differentiate and think you are looking at the same thing for cheaper. But you’re not. The EG4 can’t even go outside

lol good question. I haven’t seen them in use for a while. The trucks are fully loaded with all the ladders before going out which they already were for the day

These products are not the same quality as the bigger brands. There’s always a way to go cheaper

Yes real working professionals understand this.

Must be a huge system!

@@Superiorsolarconsulting 21KW system ... I feel like he got robbed

This video isn’t about plugging any one brand. We aren’t paid by manufacturers. This video is more of a summary of why, from the contractors POV, you aren’t seeing tons of contractors hop on board and want to install DIY kits. You may see that signature solar has a customer service number. That may be the equivalent of a normal screw driver when the kind of support and robust service a properly large manufacturer and supplier together offers is like a real power drill. A contractor can’t do his work with a screwdriver. I made that analogy in the moment. Hope it sticks.

Appreciate that. We aren’t protecting anything. 99% of people would never consider a diy install. This video is to open the eyes of many who underestimate the difficulty or don’t understand the cost of a professional install vs pricing out a kit online. This is a niche video not even for the masses

Last year, I had a 4.6 kw Grid Connect SunPower System installed (11 panels w/micro inverters). Awesome System! One year later, I am having 5 additional panels installed to support an EV. But SilFab panels this time that will be DC Coupled to SolArk Inverters and batteries. I discussed with a professional solar company the brand of battery I want, which is 30 kwh EG4 LL Rack Battery. The solar company didn't didn't have a problem with my choice of battery. They have a distributor to get them. So, they are making their money on it. I think the argument here is cost vs. quality. It seems the definition of quality is the real elephant in the room. There are outstanding products out there like EG4 that are very popular in the DIY space that helps add competition to the solar market. I believe EG4 is here to stay. I have seen thousands of RU-vid videos demonstrating that. As an educated customer of solar and batteries, if I can buy a 30 kwh LiFePo deep cycle battery, that will probably last 15 to 20 years or more and is extremely reliable for $9,000 then why would I buy a battery costing $20,000 for a 20 kwh Name Brand? I can buy two SolArk inverters and a 30 kwh battery for the same price as just the name brand battery. That doesn't make any sense at all. I enjoy seeing more competition in the market. It is better for the customer.

DIY is only for somebody who’s experienced with electrical already. If not it’s a waste of time and is dangerous

you can sign a contract while owning the equipment and the tax credits

Will prowse sells solar kits and gets commissions off his sales. He’s in the business of selling you on how easy something that’s not easy is. There’s a reason electrical work requires a electrical license

There are almost no electricians that will install DIY kits. The reason why is because if this contractor was competent, it would be too much of an opportunity cost to put aside a properly done professional install to come help a DIY’er with their own. And if you’re hiring a lower level electrician that isn’t necessarily sacrificing with an opportunity cost for bigger business elsewhere, is that the guy who you want installing on your home? It’s really just about how risk adverse you are, and if you truly believe the company, warranties, and human beings are going to be around and if you aren’t confident that you can fix a problem yourself which 99+ percent of the population never think that they would be able to.

It’s true I am not a complete expert on these two companies. What I can tell you is I’ve been in the space for almost 8 years and have spent the majority of everyday thinking and learning about what is out there. I have not ever even once seen a professional installer quote either an EG4 or EcoFlow system. Whenever I ask the suppliers, they laugh.

you should watch his other videos he breaks the costs and stuff down into details.