There has never been a better time to acquire residential solar panels. They will allow you to guard against the ever rising costs of electricity while at the same time helping the environment by utilizing a clean, renewable power source rather than burning fossil fuels and polluting the environment to generate electricity.
This article is going to briefly go over what is involved in the installation process so that you know what to expect if you decide to install a system of your own.
Before the installation begins, you need to start by getting any necessary permits. If you are having your system professionally installed, your contractor may get the permits for you. If your contractor does not get the permits or if you are going to do the project yourself, you will need to contact the proper government agencies for securing building permits in your area.
Once you have taken care of the permits, you will need to do a site evaluation to determine the best location for your solar panels. More often than not, the panels for home solar power systems are placed on the roof of the house but it is also possible to place the panels on freestanding structures built specifically for your photovoltaic system.
If those solar energy panels are installed on the roof, you want to make sure that your roof is in good condition so that you will not have to remove the panels to repair the roof at some point in the future.
Next, you’ll want to determine the optimal position for the inverter. The inverter should be situated in a place that will maximize its useful lifespan, taking into consideration wire resistance but also making sure it is placed somewhere with easy access for future maintenance.
Measurements of your roof would then be taken to optimize placement of your solar panels. You will then have to locate the rafters so that you can secure the rails that will hold the panels in place. The rails are secured with lag bolts and then a sealant is used to prevent water from penetrating your roof through the bolt holes. After the rails are located, the panels are clamped into place. Then, wires are run from the panels, through the attic and to the inverter where the DC power from the photovoltaic cells is converted into AC power to run your household appliances.
There are a lot of steps involved in the installation of residential solar panels but it is not terribly complicated and it is a job that the do-it-yourselfer can tackle. Doing the job yourself is also a great way to save money on the installation so that you can recoup your investment and start enjoying free electricity as soon as possible.
The Installing and Mounting Solar Panels Guide is the third guide in the GreenDIYenergy course.
Here, you will learn the basics of PV solar panel installation. This helpful guide will take you through the process of obtaining city permits to installation of the solar panels to then hooking up to the electrical panel.
