Here are a couple of quick tips for going solar on the cheap. First of all, if you can find out who is supplying your local highway department with solar powered equipment such as signs, then you may be able to obtain older panels which they can no longer use on the highway, but which would be perfectly safe for home use. Next up, don’t be suckered into buying an expensive mounting system for a solar panel, when you can make one yourself. My local Menards products were fine for the job and came in a lot cheaper.

With some savvy shopping and a little DIY, a solar panel can get you using less electricity, or even contributing to the electric grid, for a much lower up front cost than you perhaps thought.