Can I Get A Solar Panel System?
Before you decide to get a solar array there are a number of factors you have to consider as it can be a big deal. There are a number of things that
have to be expertly evaluated before you can even consider putting
panels on your roof.
First of all, some might have to come out and do a site
survey. An engineer will climb up on your roof, take
measurements, inspect to see if you have visibility to the south, and
use this funky solar pathfinder device to determine the times of day
that particular areas would be shaded.
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| Solar Path finder |
They go to the four corners
of where the solar array is going to be installed with the Solar
Pathfinder, and with it point towards the south it has a series of
marks on it and a glass dome which reflects anything that would be
throwing a shadow. You basically look at the reflection and see what
time of day the shadow might affect that spot.
To get the most out of your panels you need to have them in a pin-point location to work efficiently as possible, you can't just bung them on any old place! Basically this means
it must be facing south within about a 20 degree window. If they
can’t point the panels in that direction, you might as well not do
it because your solar generation drops dramatically. Same goes for
shade. If you’ve got a building beside you, or trees that tower
over the house, you’re done.
Even if your roof points south, and nothing’s
blocking the sun you still need to have an engineering survey done to
determine if your roof can bear the additional weight! Luckily, it only adds about 5-6
pounds per square foot of roof loading, so most roofs should be able
to take it.
How Big of a Solar Panel System Do I Need?
To some extent figuring out what you need is narrowed
down by how much room you have and cost. But you also need to take a
look at your previous year’s electric bills, find out what your
electric rates are, and research what the projected generation will
be for the size of system you’re thinking about.
Here’s
a site to let you calculateproduction for your location.
Just pick your country and region You’ll come up with an estimate
that looks kind of like this:
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ITS A ROYAL PAIN IN THE ARSE
Solar Panel System Tips and Tricks
Oh boy, there is a lot they aren’t telling
you! For example, one really good thing is that these systems are
mostly guaranteed for 20 years! What isn’t really talked about is
that its the solar panels that are warrantied for that long, but the
inverters are not. So when you’re doing your ROI calculations you
need to include the fact that you’re going to have to spend more money somewhere in the middle of the life-cycle for
changing out parts.
Speaking inverters, I should explain
that the reason you need an inverter is that the solar panels put out
DC current. This is like the current that comes out of a battery. But
houses use AC current. So the inverter takes care of the conversion.
There are two different kinds of inverters that are currently in use.
Solar MicroInverters
Being dependent on one inverter can be inefficient, if they inverter goes down or has technical problems it means you won't be generating any electricity. An answer to the
efficiency problem comes in the form of micro-inverters. Instead of
stringing multiple panels together and putting them through one big
inverter, micro-inverters are installed on every single solar panel.
This allows each panel to contribute 100% of its production to the
home, and if one fails it doesn’t affect the output of any others.
Choosing between Inverters and MicroInverters
Each type of inverter
has its own benefits. While micro-inverters are more efficient, they
are also more costly. It could also mean a lot more wiring that have to be mounted
and routed. Yikes! Big inverters might
weigh 140 pounds(ish), but they get mounted in one spot and with minimal
wiring. They are also extremely reliable, having been around since
the beginning of the industry.
Other Things To Keep In Mind
Another thing no one
bothered to mention is that the roof on your house generally
doesn’t last as long as these systems. So let’s say you have a 10
or 15 year old roof. There is NO WAY it’s going to last as long as
the panels. What do you do then? If you have to do any work on the
roof you have to deal with the solar array first. Although some companies do provide a service that in the event of your roof needs repairs they will take down the Solar Panels for you for a cheaper price than it would cost originally. If you are worried about this then I would advise to talk about this with a trusted company that will be willing to help you out e.g. the solar company that fitted the panels.
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How Long Does It Take To Install A Solar Panel System?
The
good news is that it only takes about a day to a couple of days days for them to be installed on your roof. The bad news is, that
the answer isn’t that simple. After we did the site survey and
worked out pricing and all that, we had to sign contracts. Those
contracts had to get sent off for approval to the electric company
because we were going to be tying into the grid. Meanwhile, you have to
have the structural engineer come to the house to determine if the
roof could bear the weight. All of those things can take weeks to complete.
By the way, if you’re
wondering if you can do all this yourself – the answer is no. Next
question!
How much do Solar Panels cost?
Obviously Solar Panels range from country to country, region to region but, specifically in the UK (where I just so happen to be from) They are about £5,000-£10,000 but this all depends on the size, quality and quantity of Solar Panels you buy! A website that proved very useful to me was Solar Panel Quoter. They give you a lovely FREE quote from your region specifically and can give you a list of the top 3 companies in your area from their database, how convenient!
Another thing before you are put off by the expensive price, you aren't JUST buying the panels themselves with that money. Its also for the install which is in itself a complicated process witnessing it for yourself you'll understand its worth every penny, just its a lot of pennies!
This should be about everything you need to consider before installing solar panels. If I have missed anything out or you have any queries, make sure to comment below!
I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!
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