How to install solar panels
Posted by Solar energy guru | Filed under Solar panels & photovoltaic cells
Trying to figure out how to install solar panels that will work for your needs is a question that involves several considerations. Installation needs vary from adding on to an existing building or if you’re starting with new construction. Where and how to install solar panels also depends on weather, climate, site geography and type of roofing material used. While not the optimal choice, solar panels can be installed in a free-standing array instead of on a roof.
It is much easier to figure out how to install solar panels when working with new construction. Not only is it easier to mount the panels while building the roof, it also allows for optimization of placement of the solar array. By creating a design that will position the solar panels to take full advantage of the sun throughout the day, the solar array will be able to harness more energy with less panels making the array less expensive.
Choosing the right roofing materials and roof style can be beneficial in how to install solar panels easily. A style of roof that has a southern slope of the right angle will give a perfect location for installing the solar array. Using roofing materials such as composition shingles can make it much easier to set up and install the PV panels. Some materials, like tile, can make it more difficult when figuring out how to install solar panels as they are quite slippery to walk across.
Solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) panels are the part of the home solar power system that collects the solar energy. The panels consist of a framework that holds many photovoltaic cells that gather the energy and send it an inverter. The inverter is the part of the system that converts the harnessed solar energy into usable electricity. This can be tied into the existing electrical system (grid-tied) or to a battery storage device which can store the electricity for later use.
Generally the PV panels are attached to the building’s roof, preferably the southern facade. This will enable the panels to gather the most direct sunlight. How to install solar panels will also depend on your region’s typical weather and climate. If your area is considered a high wind zone, the panels will need a different mounting system than if your area is not windy.
Another important factor when deciding how to install solar panels is the degree of tilt needed for maximum sun exposure. This will largely depend on the latitude of the building’s location. The higher the latitude of the building site, the higher the tilt will be needed to use the solar panels to the highest efficiency. To fully ensure the correct degree of tilt, there are mounting systems available that will turn the PV panels towards the sun throughout the day. These are more expensive than fixed mounts but ensure that you get the maximum energy from your solar array.
Often people who want to know how to install solar panels are thinking about doing the work themselves in order to reduce their costs. While this is possible to do on your own, you must have some general building knowledge as well as some electrical knowledge as each panel must be wired into the overall system. If you do not have the necessary knowledge, then you could damage the system or your roof.
If you are unsure about how to install solar panels correctly or how to wire the array into the electrical system, it will be more cost effective in the long run to hire a professional installer. That way you can be sure that the entire system is installed properly and safely. Professional solar power contractors will have both the building and the electrical knowledge to ensure that your home solar power is installed the right way.
