Close-up of solar panels under a clear blue sky

Your Hands. Our Expertise.
Maximum Savings.

You're not afraid of being on a roof and getting up on a ladder. You've done your own electrical work. You just need someone to handle the engineering, permits, and utility paperwork while you do the installation. That's us. Capable homeowners who want to save up to 50% on labor costs.

Get Your Guided DIY Estimate
Solar panels installed on a brick house roof

Who This Is For

This isn't for Everyone (and That's the Point)

Guided DIY solar is for homeowners who:

  • Are comfortable on a ladder and have basic tool skills
  • Can commit 2–3 weekends to the installation
  • Want to save 30–40% compared to full-service pricing
  • Care about understanding exactly what's on their roof
  • Have help a friend, family member, or neighbor to assist

If that's not you? No problem. Our full-service option exists for a reason.

How It Works

We Do the Hard Parts. You Do the Satisfying Parts.

01

We Handle

Site assessment, system design, engineering calculations, equipment procurement, permits, utility applications, and grid interconnection paperwork.

You Handle

Nothing yet. This is the planning phase.

Step 01
02

We Handle

Delivery of all equipment to your property. Pre-installation walkthrough and training session (2–3 hours) covering safety, technique, and sequence.

You Handle

Clearing your schedule for installation weekend(s).

Step 02
03

We Handle

On-call support during your installation. Site visit for critical checkpoints (electrical connections, racking attachment). Final inspection coordination.

You Handle

Mounting rails, attaching panels, running conduit (with our guidance). The actual "solar installation" part.

Step 03
04

We Handle

Utility interconnection, system commissioning, monitoring setup, warranty registration.

You Handle

Flipping the switch. Watching your meter run backwards.

Step 04

Cost Comparison

The Math That Made Us Start This Company

A typical 10kW solar system in Maine:

Same panels. Same inverters. Same 25-year production. The difference is labor and whether you want to pay someone else or invest your own weekend.

For a homeowner with a straightforward roof, Guided DIY can save $10,000–$15,000. That's real money money that stays in your pocket instead of paying for a sales team and corporate overhead.

National Brand Full Service

$35,000–$42,000

DIY Solar ME Full Service

$28,000–$35,000

DIY Solar ME Guided DIY

$18,000–$24,000

Aerial view of solar panels installed on a brick house roof

_ What You'll Learn

You Won't Just Have Solar. You'll Understand Solar.

Most homeowners have no idea what's on their roof after installation. With Guided DIY, you understand every component.

You'll know:

  • How panels connect to your inverter
  • Connection to main panel
  • What each component does
  • How to read production data
  • What to check if issues arise

You're gaining expertise, not just buying a system.

FAQ

Common Questions About
Guided DIY

If you're comfortable on a ladder, can commit 2–3 weekends, and have someone to help, you're probably a good candidate. If any of that sounds stressful, go with Full Service there's no shame in it.

We response under 5 working days for service. We also offer subscription servicing for ongoing maintenance and monitoring.

Most residential systems take 2–3 weekends. The exact time depends on system size, roof complexity, and how much help you have. We'll give you a realistic estimate during your consultation.

You'll need a town building permit and an electrical permit. We handle both. You just sign where we tell you.

No. Properly installed solar actually protects the portion of your roof under the panels from weather and UV damage. Our mounting systems are designed for Maine snow loads and wind conditions. If your roof is old or in poor condition, we'll tell you to fix that first.

Snow slides off panels faster than you'd think they're angled and have a slick surface. Light snow often melts within a day. Heavy snow might reduce production for a few days, but this is already factored into our annual production estimates.