Solar Panel Installation: 4 Things to Check Before You Install
Before solar panel installation, check your installation spot, house location, roof type and available space so the system performs at its best.
Solar panels generate power from a renewable energy source, and more and more people are taking notice of them, helped along by the many advantages the devices offer. But for your solar panel to work at its best, a few things need your attention before installation.
Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels
- Choosing the Installation Spot
For solar panels to perform well, you first need to find the right installation spot, and that spot has to take the direction of the sunlight into account. If trees or buildings shade the panels, they will have a hard time generating electricity.
Sunlight is the energy that makes the electricity, and the system can't capture it well when it is blocked. So pick a spot that is likely to get enough direct sun. The tilt angle of the panels also needs attention, so they can capture more of the available light.
- Your House's Location
It is not only the installation spot that matters. The location of the house where the system will go also affects how the solar panels work. Once you know where your house is, you can tell how much solar radiation there is to put to use.
For example, say your house is in Kalimantan, which lies north of the equator. The most solar power you can receive there is about 4.8 kWh per day, with the panels tilted to face south. If your area is south of the equator, the panels should face north instead.
- Type of Roof
When ordinary households use solar panels, they are most often installed on the roof, because a roof lets the panels get enough sunlight. That makes the type of roof something you can't overlook.
The roof type affects which type and style of mounting structure can hold the panels. Since most Indonesian homes use ceramic roof tiles, the mounting brackets can usually be fixed between the tile joints.
- Available Space and Capacity
The available space, meaning the roof here, also needs careful attention. It determines how many solar panels you can fit. The amount of power the panels can handle can't be ignored either, because solar panels won't work at their best if your electrical capacity is greater than what the system can handle.
Don't take the considerations above lightly when you decide to install solar panels. They affect how the system works and what you get out of it. You can also consult Sun Energy first, which supplies top solar panel equipment.
