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8 Steps for Installing Solar Panels

by: sahil | last updated: April 04, 2010
Category: Green Savings | Tags: solar panels, solar power, installing solar panels, renewable energy

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8 Steps for Installing Solar Panels

The sun’s energy is everlasting and harnessing it can not only save money, it can also help the environment. Many people around the world have found that solar panels can be a frugal and environmentally friendly solution to our household needs and even in business entities. The basic equipment required for harnessing this perpetual energy to convert it to electricity are solar panels. These panels can be installed on the roof tops or in other places in order to convert the sun’s energy into electricity and in some cases, heat. Here are some steps on how to install solar panels so that they work in an efficient manner.

Purchasing: Solar panels can be procured easily in the market and there are numerous companies such as Sunwize, Evergreen, and Mitsubishi Electric that produce or sell solar panels. If you need a panel that has optimum utilization and efficiency in terms of energy conversion then companies such as Sanyo and SunPower are the leading brands in the solar panel market. Choosing a panel that fits your budget and size along with the weather conditions where you live can give you an estimate of how much to spend while acquiring a solar panel.

Installation: Solar Panels are usually installed on roofs, house tops, or separate facilities. It is very important to mount your solar panel so that it gets the nearly complete and direct sun exposure; moreover it is important to ensure that your solar panel is maximally efficient perennially. In order to achieve this, there are numerous web-based solar resources to assist you correctly set up and mount your solar panels by following the position of the sun in the sky over the course of a complete year.

Direct sunlight: It is important to position the solar panel in direct sunlight for optimum utilization and efficiency. If the rays are obstructed by trees or other buildings it would not work as efficiently. Therefore many people choose to install solar panels on rooftops where there is no chance of obstruction of direct sunlight.

Mounting the panels: Solar Panel Mounts are used for installing photovoltaic solar panels. Solar panel mounts come in three most important ranges: roof-ground mounts, pole mounts, and flush mounts. Using these mounts, you can mount your solar panel onto an RV, on peak of or against the side of a pole, on your rooftop, or even fix them as a detached unit.

The Actual process: The actual process of installation may be a little complicated for people with negligible plumbing knowledge. However these can be installed DIY style if you have some basic plumbing skills and the process itself is not as difficult as it may seem. Ensure that the mounts are located about forty eight inches apart and should be situated openly on top of a rafter. If a rafter is not on hand at the mount site, the mount can be connected to a block of wood positioned on the bottom of the rooftop. It’s advisable not to fasten the mount directly to the plywood covering of the rooftop. This can be done by searching for rafters equipped with a stud finder.

Fastening the panel: Drill a hole with a pilot bit to ensure that that you do not rip the rafter. The next step is to lock the base of the mounts to the rooftop. This can be done by making use of stainless steel lag bolts. After this thread the post of the mount into its bottom. Ensure to put roof flashing over every mount to stop leaks in the rooftop. The next step involves fastening metal rails to the mounts with stainless steel bolts. Finish the racking system by linking aluminum solar racks to the metal rails.

Precautions and ease: To make sure that the panels works to their full efficiency ensure that the completed rack system will permit the solar panels to be no less than three to six inches off the rooftop. The panels will function more powerfully if there is sufficient airflow beneath and around them. There are many pre-assembled units that are also available in the market that are much easier to install. These can cut down the amount of work and effort involved in the installation process.

Feasibility: The efficiency and the financial feasibility depend on many factors such as the geographical location of the building or house, the temperature, and the season. If a region does not receive enough sunlight then solar panels may be ineffective. However it cannot be denied that if there is enough sunlight all year round then the initial cost of these panels is negligible compared to its long term benefits since these have a life of almost forty years. Moreover many countries including the United States have started giving tax breaks to people who use solar power which is an added incentive to install one in your residence or workplace.