When
making this decision there are several factors to consider:
If
you are going with a
small DC system
consisting
of a solar panel and a battery, you probably won't need any help installing.
However you may need assistance with the panel mounting if you don't have
an ideal location.
If
you upgrade this DC system and add a
small AC inverter,
you should still be
ok. Most of these inverters come with the cable to connect it straight to
the battery. They also come with one or two AC outlets. A multiple
outlet strip can be plugged into this for connecting several items to the
inverter.
For a
residential system, most people enlist
the services of a dealer if they are not do-it-yourselfers. For this
service you may expect to pay about 10% of your system cost. This
is a small price to pay when you consider what a mistake could cost.
There
are good books available on solar installations if you decide to tackle
it yourself. Remember that there are local electric codes as well
as the national electric codes to follow. These are constantly changing
with regards to solar so it is very important to be up on the latest.
Have
you decided yet?
Call your local dealer
and discuss your concerns with them.