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I've been harvesting and using solar power for several years. My love affair started when I visited Scotland for six weeks, and the only power I had came from my small power station and two solar panels (and those solar panels weren't waterproof!). Since then, solar has grown into a bit of an obsession, and it's at the point where I'm in the process of constructing an off-grid cabin that will rely solely on solar.

Also: Considering plug-in solar? My expert advice after setting up the DIY energy tech at home

But solar is a very different technology from using the grid, and the truth is that a lot of solar users lose power and money because of mistakes relating to installation, usage, maintenance, and planning. Simple mistakes can slash your power output by anywhere from 10% to 50% and more, not to mention shorten equipment lifespan, create all sorts of safety hazards, and affect the return you get on your investment.