Harnessing solar energy to produce electricity could be your choice if you are an eco friendly person. Solar panels help you to save power, save energy and save money. Eco conscious people should know that the various aspects you need to bear in mind before you explore the idea of installing solar panel. Here some pointers for you.
Solar panels life span
Solar panels last up to 30 years and lose approximately 0.5 percent efficacy each year. You would need to wash them couple of times each summer as part of the maintenance mechanism. Remember to be on the ground while cleaning with help of a spout on your hose. You would need to replace the inverter after approximately 15 years. An invertor helps to convert direct current from the panels to alternating current used in your home. You can expect to shell out $2000 for the part and $400 for the labor as per current scenarios. However bear in mind that you will need alternate modes of energy in the event of prolonged periods of bad weather conditions.
Certification of your solar panel
Please choose the panels, which are a minimum UL certified if you intend to mount solar panels on your house. Cheaper varieties of panels will not be UL certified, but will be CEC or ISO or TUV certified or some other non recognized certifications. These certifications maintain the manufacturing standards but do not test the product itself in various ways like UL certified panels.
Who will install your panel
Your solar system should be installed by a certified or licensed electrician. Else 600 volts D.C. is enough to create hazardous effects; the amount of current in a typical PV string. But this depends on your utility grid. Else ground faults and fusing problems can be a part of your routine and can also be a cause of improper wire sizing that will degrade the effectiveness of the system. If you have an off grid system, connection can be done by folks with dubious training.
Direction of your solar panel
Your solar system will ideally be installed on a southwest facing roof. Know that west and south are a great option but southeast, east and north northwest can also be a good placement choices. Your placement should be at an area, which receives a lot of sunlight all year long with very little gray and overcast days. Solar electricity’s enemy is shade. Keep in mind the growth of the trees in the next 10 years when you install your solar panel. On days when there isn’t enough sunlight, you can use the electricity from your local utility provider. Usually solar panels are installed on the roof of your house, so always determine that your house is structurally safe to support its weight.
Connectors
Solar panels have standards connectors that pop out of the back of the panel. Most common amongst connectors is MC4 connector. This connector is available easily in the market, but is a little expensive. It cost approximately $50 to $150. Amongst other connector options are MC3 and Helios. Know that your solar panel will not come along with a connector, but only with a junction box. You would need to buy a connector to connect the panels together or charge controller. Ideally you should opt for a male female connector so that you can reduce the cable length to half.
Mounting
Solar panels come with built-in mounting holes on their frames and some also come along with free mounting screws and z shaped brackets. These screws and brackets make it easy for the user to mount on a flat surface. But you should remember that such accessories eventually increase the cost per panel. Solar panel mounting options include flush mounts, roof ground mounts and pole mounts.
Conclusion
Solar panels can be the choice of any environment friendly person, who also wants to save on the electricity bills and consumption. One needs to be careful about the initial installation since they have an average life span of 30 years. In addition they require regular monitoring and upkeep to maintain its efficiency. Solar panels being the silent producer of energy, many governments are offering tax rebates against their usage. The creation of renewable energy from solar panels is worth making an investment and is luring many people across the world towards this technology. Its benefits offer an attractive proposition for the eco lovers.
