If you’re considering a rooftop solar system, it’s important to shop around and get quotes from several different contractors. Also, find out who will be responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Rooftop Solar System Installation are typically connected to the utility grid, allowing you to create and sell energy back to the utility when necessary. The type of interconnection design depends on your electricity consumption and rates.
1. Determine Your Energy Needs
Whether you’re looking to save money on electricity bills, reduce your carbon footprint or both, rooftop solar energy can provide the power you need. A combination of falling technology prices and incentives like the federal tax credit are making the up-front investment more affordable than ever for homeowners.
Determine your energy needs by checking your recent energy bills and reviewing historical usage data. This data can be accessed through your electricity provider’s website. Then, consider your roof’s usable space and if it gets sufficient sunlight. Climate factors are also important to understand as they can affect peak sunlight hours, energy production and the lifespan of your system.
2. Design Your System
A rooftop solar system is a significant investment, so it’s important to work closely with your installer to ensure that the finished product matches the aesthetic of your home or building. A reputable installer will be able to design your system so that it is discreet and blends in seamlessly with the existing architecture, or makes a statement and adds value.
Other considerations include ensuring that the system is positioned to maximise energy production. Panels that are facing north or west generally generate more power over the day, whereas those facing east or south may produce more electricity in the morning and evening.
3. Determine Your Roof’s Structure
If the roof isn’t strong enough to support the solar panels, it can compromise the entire structure. This could lead to damage, personal injury and even loss of life. It’s essential to hire a structural engineer to assess the structure of the building to ensure it can support the additional weight without causing any problems.
Depending on the type of roof, technicians prepare it for the solar system by drilling holes for the lag bolts that secure the mounting rack. They then seal the holes to prevent water leaks. For asphalt shingle roofs, they use flashing to prevent leaking around the lag bolts. On a metal roof, they use a clamp to hold the solar panels in place.
4. Select Your Panels
Once you’ve calculated your energy needs, the next step is to select the right panels for your solar system. There are many factors to consider including panel size, rated capacity and efficiency.
You’ll also need to choose between fixed or adjustable panels. Fixed panels are cheaper and easier to maintain. However, adjustable panels will help maximize your power production by aligning with your property’s latitude to capture sunlight throughout the year.
Ideally, your panels should be facing true south for maximum sun absorption. If you don’t have a roof that can be directed in this way, ground-mounted panels are another option.
5. Install the Panels
A solar power system adds a significant amount of weight to your roof, and it’s essential that the structure can handle this load. During the installation process, a professional will perform a roof assessment. They’ll also measure the diagonal distances of the top and bottom rails to ensure that they’re square, which is a vital step.
At this point, your contractor can start installing the panels. Depending on how much equipment is needed, this can take up to a week. During this time, your installer will likely install battery storage and EV chargers at ground level (if applicable). Then they’ll connect the charge controller and inverter to the solar panel arrays.
6. Connect the Panels to the Inverter
Once the system is complete, installers connect it to your home’s power grid and to battery storage or EV chargers (if applicable). They also map out wiring routes, which will likely depend on whether the customer is using micro inverters or a string inverter.
They’ll also install the solar panel inverter, which converts solar panels’ direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC), to power homes and devices. The inverter also keeps track of solar electricity production and meter readings.
They’ll also establish maintenance procedures, which can include cleaning and periodic part replacements.
7. Test the System
Often, a solar system is not adequately tested prior to installation or afterward, and this may lead to under-performing systems. A third-party monitoring system can monitor a rooftop solar energy system and alert the owner of performance problems.
The best way to test a panel is with a multimeter. Connect the black probe to the negative terminal of the panel, and the red one to its positive terminal. Set the multimeter to read a panel’s voltage (Voc) and its current (Imp). This will give you a general indication of how well a solar panel is performing.
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