Using Solar Panels To Power Your Home

If you?ve ever thought about getting your own solar panels to help save the environment as well as your hard-earned cash, then you?re in luck. Our handy guide gives you a quick overview of what?s involved with installing solar panels. First things first, equipment. You?re going to need the panels themselves, mounts, rails, a conduit, tape measure, laser sight, stud finder, bolts and a drill. Double check your panels in case you need any additions as they can vary depending which ones you get.

Before you begin installation, you need to carry out an energy audit on your house so you know how many solar panels the roof of your property will be able to take and how much you will save by using them. The Department of Energy will be able to give you advice on how to do this. You also need to make sure the panels are in prime position for catching the sunlight: don?t install them in the shade or they won?t work properly. Cut away any low branches.

Next, determine what kind of mounts you?ll need based on the type of panels you?ll be using and where they?ll be positioned. After this, use a stud finder to locate your house?s rafters, as these will support the solar panels once they?re installed. Use a laser sight to mark exactly where the mounts will be positioned above the rafters, then use a pilot bit to drill holes for the mounts without damaging the rafters. Then secure the mounts to the roof, using lag bolts to do so.

Your next job is to use bolts and attach the rails to the mounts. Then it?s time to individually install the solar panels on the rails, carefully securing them in place before moving onto the next one. The final job is to attach a conduit, running it from the converter in your house and then connecting it to the solar panels. Secure it properly so you don?t have to worry about it moving or being damaged in bad whether. Lastly, check to see your new panels work properly.

Overall, it isn?t too complicated to install your own solar panels but you do need to be careful and take care, especially when you?re working on the roof. You should also alert your local electricity provider before installation as they may purchase some of your power off you, and some of them require you to have one of their technician?s present. Also get an expert to check your work before and after you do it to make sure the panels are secure and you meet any regulations.

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Installing Solar Panels : The Basics Explained

Few people would argue that renewable energy is the future, and of the renewable energy options available, solar panels are one of the most popular. The efficiency of solar panels has improved a lot in recent years, and the cost of them has fallen, making it viable for people to use them to power their home. Installing solar panels does not take long - just a few days. However, the planning process takes a couple of weeks more, as you need to get your home assessed and find the right solar panels. Even if you are knowledgeable enough to handle the installation and wiring of the solar panels, you may still need to contact an electrician. If you are not totally confident of being able to do the whole process yourself, then you are better off hiring a professional at the start, rather than calling them in half way through the job.

The most important decision you will need to make is what solar panels to use and how many of them to install. There are lots of brands and variations available, so this is not a decision to be rushed. The cheaper solar panels tend to be less capable of harnessing energy, and so you will need to buy lots of them to achieve the same amount of power as a few high range solar panels. You will be able to find precise details of all models of solar panels online, so you will have all the data you need to make relevant calculations. The install process itself is fairly simple. Holes need to be drilled into the roof and then metal rails securely bolted down. The solar panels are then attached to the metal rails. Simple as it sounds though, it needs to be done absolutely right, as if the solar panels are not installed correctly then there is a risk of them falling and causing damage to the property and / or causing an injury to those who live within it.

Standard electricians may be willing to take on the job of installing your solar panels, but you are better off taking the time, and incurring the extra expense, to find someone who specializes in that kind of work. There will almost certainly be at least a few people in your area that have relevant experience. Typing the name of your town followed by ’solar panel installation’ into Google should give you some options. Alternatively, you could phone up an electrician who has done work for you previously and ask them if they can recommend anyone. Try not to be put off by the initial costs that you will face because solar panels are a good mid to long-term investment. You will probably recoup the money you outlay within 5 years as a result of the money that you will save on reduced electricity bills. After that 5 year period, you will then be making ‘real’ savings each and every month.