Any renewable energy installation is a major project, but one of the simplest questions is often "What equipment do I need?"

Installation requires specialist equipment and a lot of common consumables. We're not going to suggest you should buy one of everything you find in your local hardware store, but if you're going to DIY it, you should spend time and money building a toolkit that will cover maintenance .

Here's a good list for a complete renewable energy DIY maintenance toolkit, split into supplies and tools. It will take you a while to obtain them all unless you include them in your initial installation budget, but that's fine: this list has a lot more than the bare essentials in it.

Supplies

• Lead-free solder and soldering paste
• Pipe dope
• Tape: Teflon, electrical, and (of course!) duct tape 
• Insulation adhesive
• Roof cement
• Caulk
• Sensor wire or electrical wire
• Wire nuts or electrical solder
• Grit cloth
• Assorted screws and nails (including roofing nails)
• Assorted stainless nuts, bolts, and washers
• Assorted rags
• Assorted zip ties
• Assorted fasteners

Tools

• Soldering torch with extra fuel
• Soldering paste brush(es)
• Pipe cutter
• Deburring tool
• Fitting brushes
• Charging pump and hoses
• Pressure gauge (automotive type)
• Tape measure and pens/pencils for marking
• Hammer(s)
• Saws: hacksaw and reciprocating saw with assorted blades
• Electric drill(s), including battery-operated type
• Assorted drill bits, including assorted hole saws
• Assorted screwdrivers
• Assorted pliers including channel locking pliers
• Wrenches: assorted pipe wrenches, crescent wrenches, and socket wrenches
• Knives: putty knife and utility knife with extra blades
• Level, angle finder and square
• Wire stripper
• Tin snips
• Crowbar
• Ladders: stepstool (or short folding stepladder), 6'-7' folding stepladder, and extension ladders
• Roof jacks with planks
• Five-gallon pails
• Rope
• Flashlight and assorted work lights
• Extension cords
• Sawhorses
• Safety harnesses and safety equipment including work gloves and safety glasses
• First aid kit
• Camera