Exploring Wind Farms And Other Sustainable Energy Options

Understanding The Solar Panels And System Options For Your Home

13 December 2022

Beatrice Alvarez

Solar electric system installation is an excellent option for homeowners wanting to reduce the cost of their electricity and become less dependent on public utilities. Many homes use this technology and offset the amount of electricity they buy, but you need to be sure solar panel installation options exist on your home or land. 

Solar Collection

Solar electric arrays work using a collection and conversion system to charge storage batteries that hold the electricity until it is needed. Each solar panel in your array can collect a specific amount of energy each hour, but that number can change if the sun is less intense or the weather is overcast throughout the collection cycle.

When considering solar collection, determining the electricity requirements for your home is vital. You need to know the collection potential and number of solar panels necessary to achieve your goal before installing them. A solar panel installation contractor can help you work through the metrics and determine what you are currently consuming and how much electricity can be replaced with solar. 

Some limitations come into play, like the amount of space on the roof for solar panel arrays and the storage required to meet your daily electricity needs. If you have a place to install a large storage grid, you still need to be able to charge the system completely, and because conditions change throughout the year, a system that can collect more energy than you need is essential. 

Installing Solar Panels

Each solar panel in the array needs access to the open sky, but more than that, it needs to have sunlight hit it during the day. The optimal direction for any solar panel in the northern hemisphere is facing south. However, panels facing east and west also have limited collection potential.

When the sun comes up in the east, it will start to hit the south-facing solar panel array and stay on those panels as it moves through the sky and sets in the west that evening. Because the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west, panels facing those directions get a few hours of light and are good for additional collection but are not a great option alone. 

For most homes, the roof is the optimal place to put solar panels, but if the house does not have a southern exposure, you may need to consider placing the panels on stands or on a garage roof that faces the right way. Ground arrays are a good option if you don't have a lot of trees to block the panels and allow the use of a larger, heavier solar panel that generates power in your system. 

There are other considerations for any solar installation, but starting with the solar panel selection is vital, and your solar contractor can be a great asset when getting started. For more information on solar panels, contact a professional near you.

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