Important Things You Need To Know Before Installing Solar Panels

Important Things You Need To Know Before Installing Solar Panels 1

Solar energy, fueled by rapid expansion, especially in developing countries, is gradually becoming the most preferred option for providing electricity. Solar panels are structures created to absorb and use the sun’s rays. In doing so, electricity is generated naturally and can be used to power devices, heat water, or run solar pumps. One of the biggest initial problems with solar energy was the construction investment. However, as technology has advanced over the years, the cost of solar panels has become more affordable and accessible to almost every household. But, what are the things you should know before installing solar panels, and is there anything in particular to watch out for? Read on as we’ll discuss exactly this and more in the text below. 

Where can they go? 

Solar panels can be installed on slopes but also on flat roofs. However, do not install them on saponite boards and Lexan roofs, as well as on canopies that do not have good statics. Also, the orientation of the house and the roof, as well as the roof angle, significantly affect how much sunlight the solar panels can receive and convert into electricity.

Roofs are certainly the most suitable places for the production of solar energy, and it is best if the house, i.e., the roof is oriented towards the south, possibly east-west, and it would be ideal if the angle of inclination of the roof was between 20 and 40 degrees. 

Regular service and maintenance 

There are several different factors to consider when installing solar panels, and one, in particular, does not have anything to do with the installation per se but rather the factors and conditions affecting the operation of the panels. Birds, pigeons in particular, and debris are two things that accumulate at the same light speed on every solar panel and block the Sun’s rays and the proper conversion of energy into power. As the folks at Integrum Services explain, although the panels are good for the environment, they also quickly become a breeding ground for birds to nest and hide during colder days and rain. Bird guards are being installed across countries for the purpose of protecting the panels. Pigeon mash is designed to seal the area beneath the panels, preventing birds from making nests underneath. Other options include the installation of nets around the panels and spikes to prevent the birds from landing on the panels themselves. 

Accumulated dirt and debris later can disrupt several important electrical outlets as well as the panels themselves. It causes damage to the panels and can mess with the whole installation. Regular maintenance requires the cleaning of the panels from dirt and debris, which comes with strong winds. This can be easily done by yourself if you take the necessary precautionary measures. If you don’t feel so confident, maybe it’s best to leave it to a professional. 

All in all, you’ll need to make sure of these factors as they can drastically affect the quality of your panels overall. 

What can they support and power? 

A system with batteries is suitable only for smaller consumers. If the house is not connected to the electricity grid, the inverter that converts direct current (12 v) depends on the electricity stored in the batteries/accumulators. That is, all household appliances will be able to be powered by solar panels.

The capacity of batteries in which energy is stored is important. The transformer/inverter has a maximum power expressed in watts (W). The weakest ones on the market are 300 W, and some go up to several thousand watts.

Batteries, which are necessary for off-grid systems, can have a capacity of 10 to several thousand Ah. All smaller consumers, such as lighting, refrigerators, televisions, radios, laptops, etc., can be connected to standard systems with batteries.

Important Things You Need To Know Before Installing Solar Panels 2

Hybrid inverter for uninterrupted operation

Keeping in mind unexpected power outages, it is definitely necessary to know what should be installed in addition to the system to work even when there is no electricity from the grid.

A grid-connected system, an On-Grid system, cannot operate if the grid power fails, because the inverter needs electricity to initiate the inverter’s operation.

In order for the system to work even in the event of a power outage, it is necessary for the inverter to be hybrid and to have a means of storing electricity, namely batteries, i.e., accumulators. Their prices have been falling in recent years, and such systems are getting cheaper. 

Also, it’s worth mentioning how all this can cost you a lot initially, but over time the investment pays off itself. You’ll save money on heating and electricity, reducing your annual costs with each passing year. And, the environmental effect is impossible to measure as you’ll greatly contribute to the saving of our planet. 


About The Author

Gina Harper grew up dreaming about farms and growing her own food. She began an urban garden to feed herself and turned it into an incredible hobby. Gina is here to teach you everything from raised beds to container gardening, how to keep plants alive and well in a smoggy city, and the works. It’s time that we carve our own piece of green earth and reap what we sow—she’s here to help you with that.