“Going solar” is a great way to save on your monthly power bills and do something good for the planet.
But there’s a lot to consider when you are thinking about making the switch. Aside from the cost, do you
have the space for the panels and batteries? How long will it take? Will it be disruptive while the panels
are being installed?
All those questions and more could make you hesitant. So, we decided to lay out the solar panel
installation process, step by step. Here’s what you need to know.
What Do You Need for a Solar Panel Installation?
Solar panel power systems can be designed for every application, but they all consist of some very basic
parts. These are: the solar panels (also known as photovoltaic panels or PV panels), an inverter to
convert energy from DC to AC, racks to hold the panels, and a bank of deep cycle batteries to store
power.
These come in different shapes, sizes and configurations. Many solar panel installations also have
additional equipment. But those are the basic necessities for any solar conversion project.
Residential Solar Panel Installs
If you want solar panels installed for your home, your solar panel installer will ask questions about your electricity usage. They will want to visit your home to view the roof, so that they can take the angle and direction into account when designing the system. Once you decide to go ahead, the solar panel installer will make sure that the brackets will have the correct angle to catch maximum sunlight. They will install the panels and connect the invertor and storage battery. Then an electrician will connect your solar power system to your home.
In most cases, you will still have the choice of using grid-based power if you don’t get enough sunlight for your needs. Any excess stored power that you don’t use can be sold back to the power company.
Commercial Solar Panel Installs
Commercial solar panel systems work the same way that residential do. But they are typically larger systems capable of generating more power. Since many businesses only work during the day, these kinds of systems might have less batteries for storage, as less power will be needed at night. However, batteries are still required since you will need power on cloudy days.
Additions to Solar Panel Systems
Before your solar panel company installs your panels, they will do extensive calculations to make sure you have enough power. But things do change. If you add an addition to your home, or a new machine to your business, change your heating system or install something like an air conditioner, you might need extra power. More panels can be added to your solar power system if necessary. Or you could opt to change the voltage of the panels and keep the rest of the system as is (depending on the wattage of panels available.) These kinds of additions will require new calculations. They may also require adjustments to the brackets that hold panels or your battery storage system.
Replacement of Solar Panels
Photovoltaic solar panels have a long lifespan. But like everything, they do eventually need replacement. Most PV solar systems will require replacement at about 20 to 25 years of life. You may need to replace batteries before then. When your solar power system reaches the end of its life span, a solar panel installer will visit your home or premises. They’ll assess the system that you currently have. Then because there are significant changes in 25 years, they will look for newer, more efficient options.
They might be able to use the existing bracket system. But if the panel size and configuration are different (which is likely) the may have to replace all those items. Invertors and batteries will also be checked and may need to be replaced if there are major changes to the system or if they have reached the end of their lives.
Off Grid Solar Installs
Sometimes people want to install solar to be completely off grid. This might be because they are too far from a municipal power grid, or because they want to be “off grid” for environmental reasons. Either way, the process is a little different. If you are still going to have access to local electrical supply, you can use it as a fall back when there isn’t enough sunlight. But if you are going completely off grid, you will want to produce and store as much power as possible. That means larger, more powerful panels, as well as more batteries to store the power that is produced.
You will also want to reduce the electrical load your home places on the system, by opting for energy efficient appliances and lights. Since heating and cooling can be a big drain on your power system, you will also want to make sure your home is well insulated. This could also mean opting for energy efficient windows and doors.
Off grid solar power is possible, but it takes a little more planning, and you will have to get used to conserving energy. You can take your whole home or business off grid with solar. Or just one thing (like a remote gate that you want to automate or similar.) Whatever you need, you can contact S and F WIFI Solutions to install solar panels that will get the job done.
