Using Solar Panels at Home

In order to have a really good solar power system, you need to know how to choose the components correctly. The most important one would of course be the solar panels. There are several types of solar panels on the market, each having their pros and cons. The criteria that you need to consider the most when selecting panels is the power to cost ration. This can be easily obtained by dividing the rated power output of the given model. The larger the ratio, the more cost effective the model would be.

You also have to check the other features of the solar panels before buying. For instance, the solar panel should be compatible with the type of electrical system that you are using, including the kind of connectors that are available at your home. Also make sure that the panels have pre-made brackets for installation, or at least have provisions for these built in.

Another part of the system that has to be considered carefully is the inverter that will convert the power into electric current appropriate for your home. Here, you need to consider which appliances you will be running off the panels. This will help you in getting the inverter that has the appropriate power rating for all of these devices. Extra batteries (which store the electricity collected by the panels) for the inverter would also come in quite handy.

When setting up your solar panels, consult an architect or an engineer to find the best spot to place the whole installation. In some cases, you don’t have to place the panels on the roof. If you have a large enough space, then you can mount the whole setup on the ground or a custom platform. You might also have to do some backyard adjustments, such as cutting some trees to make rum for the sun.

When you have set up the panels, you can now run the wires and connect it to the inverter and the appliances. Remember to have the wires covered up so that they won’t be exposed to the elements. Also be reminded that the panels themselves require regular maintenance in order for them to run properly at full capacity.