These are scary times in which we live, and everyone understands how dangerous it is, even if some don’t want to admit it or say it out loud. But there is a scientific consensus that human activity has pretty much trashed the climate, and we have only a short window before this damage is irreversible. This is why many governments are mandating green technologies, and why a lot of people are individually making a choice to install items like solar panels to turn their homes green. Even if you’re not doing it to help heal the environment, the fact you can become energy independent and even profit by selling electricity back to the grid might just be enough to make you want to take the plunge.
5 Steps to Take When Installing Solar Panels
However, it’s one thing to dream about going solar and another thing entirely to deal with the solar panel installation. Our advice to you is to make sure you work with the right company to help you find the right solar panels and connect them properly, including mounting and wiring and everything else you need. Though if you would like to know what an installation entails for solar panels, here are five steps to take when installing the system.
1: Get the Right Panels for Your Needs
The first step here is to really take care to ensure that you’re getting the right kind of set up for your personal purposes. For instance, there’s a big difference between mounting panels in your yard or on your roof. They are going to have different types of kits and platforms and mounting pieces. You will also have to change the angles depending on where the panels are going. You want to measure more than the space you need; you also need to measure how much electricity you need to generate to get the right number of panels, batteries, etc. So, ensure that your installation is done correctly.
2: Construct Your Platform
Next up, construct the platform for your solar panel installation. A lot of people believe that this only needs to be done if your panel assembly is going onto land. However, you will still need a platform on the roof. Granted, it will be a lot lower and be made up primarily of brackets to hold the panels in, but you’ll still need a base on which to place the panels. For yard installations, a conduit will have to be buried, and you will have to figure out the height and angle you need for your panels, especially if you’re installing motorized assemblies that follow the sun.
3: Mount Your Panels
The next step here is actually mounting the panels. You will attach your brackets onto the platform, and then the panels onto the brackets. Two things to always keep in mind. One, always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions per the letter. You shouldn’t have one loose or missing mounting screw at all. You shouldn’t have any “extra” pieces. Two, make sure you’re running the wires under the panels. Everything should be covered up by the panels, leaving you with a smooth surface, with all the underside’s wiring.
4: Wire Up Your Modules
Now it’s time to wire up your modules. We cannot stress enough here that this is a job that’s far easier and safer if you allow the professionals to do it. However, if you want to install your own panels, we reiterate that you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You will need to locate and wire up your modules, along with your converters and your batteries, and get them ready for the final step.
5: Connect Your Cables
After everything is wired up properly, this is when you make your connections. Ensure that your connections are secure and tight, and always make sure you double-check everything you’ve just wired together. You don’t want a single wire crossed here, as this could end badly or at least lead to a nonworking panel.
Installing your own solar panels is definitely something that can be done with some time, patience and experience. Though if you want it done safely and quickly, it’s always best to seek out the pros.
In the fight against the climate crisis, Willie Jiang believes that content marketing can push the energy revolution along at a faster pace. Having helped countless brands grow their organic traffic by 10X and became the CMO of SolarFeeds.com, he is sharing his insights with the solar energy industry. If you want to publish your articles on SolarFeeds Magazine, click here.