Ready Rooftops – How to Install Solar Panels

Published on: 23 October 2018 Last Updated on: 04 November 2024

Solar power has risen in popularity rapidly all over Australia since the sudden decrease in costs at the beginning of the turn of the century and the advances in solar technology which have made commercial solar power much more accessible and affordable for all. With the continuing rise in the use of solar power, more and more home and business owners are moving to this renewable energy source and enjoying the benefits of green power.

If you are deciding whether or not to make the switch to solar power, there are some things you need to consider before you go solar. Understanding the installation process is important to ensure that you install your solar panels for optimum efficiency. Most homeowners and business owners can install panels right away but there are a few things to be aware of so that your panel installation is a success and you can enjoy the benefits of solar power for many years to come.

Let’s take a closer look at a few things that individuals and businesses should keep in mind before and during the installation of a new solar panel system.

Determine How Much Power Will Be Produced:

Before you install solar panels on your property, it’s important to take some time to do the necessary calculations in relation to the property you want to install your solar panels on to find out how much your solar system will produce. It doesn’t take long to do the calculations and once you have the results, you can determine how much power you can expect from your solar installation. Most solar installation companies can do an evaluation of your property before you install your panels to ensure it’s a suitable match for solar energy.

Evaluate Your Roof:

Evaluating your roof to see that it is appropriate to generate solar power is critical before you install your panels. This is usually done by the company before any contract is signed to ensure that the user will be able to make the most of the solar energy collected. However, it is not a bad idea to consider assessing your roof and position beforehand yourself too. If a roof is very shaded or the property is hidden from direct sunlight by another building or foliage, it may be necessary to reconsider your decision to go solar or come up with a different approach. For example, it’s possible to build solar installations on lawns which can equally benefit your property.

Decide How Many Panels You Will Need:

Prior to your installation, you should find out how many solar panels you will need, in terms of the size and scale of the solar installation and the number of photovoltaic cells. In order to find out this information, you should analyse your property and the energy capacity it currently works off. By carrying out an energy audit, you should be able to say with certainty how much power you need to use to fuel your home or business and therefore be able to decide on the measurements for your installation without any problems.

Structurally Sound:

If you have decided that installing a solar panel system on your roof is the right move, you will have to make sure that your roof is structurally sound and can take the weight and physical attachment of the system. Solar panel installations can last up to 30 years without any need to remove them so it is best to know that your roof will not need to be refurbished a few years down the road.

Install Your Solar Panels And Enjoy A Greener Future:

Once you have evaluated your home to ensure that the property is a good candidate for a solar installation, you will need to call your installation company. They will give the property one final look-over before and give you the green light before you complete the necessary paperwork. After the contract has been signed, you will be able to go ahead and prepare the orders for photovoltaic or thermal cells and the right inverter for your electric wiring.

As soon as everything is set in place, you can set a date for the installation of your solar panels. Your installation company will do the rest of the work for you, install the panels and connect you to the national electricity grid so that you can take advantage of any excess energy that is produced through your system. With your solar panels installed, you can enjoy all of the benefits of solar power and look forward to a greener future.

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Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

Summer is done, and you can already see it by the drop in temperatures and the duration of the day. With shorter days also comes the reduced amount of sunlight during a 24 hour period, which worries some solar panel owners. Some people aren’t sure how effective their solar panels will be during the colder period of the year. However, as experts from Action Solar assure us, panels work just fine throughout the year; all you need to do is make sure that you optimize them for the season. Here’s how. Clean Your Panels: No matter how many panels you have, they are exposed to the elements all the time, and naturally, they get dirty. However, solar panels are quite durable and strong, meaning that you don’t need to clean them very often and even when you do, you don’t need to go into too much detail. In fact, if you clean them too often, you might damage them, so it’s better to give them a cursory sweep every month or so and be done with it. Removing debris like leaves and branches are more important than dusting them, as most solar panels only lose about 7% of their effectiveness when dirty, as researchers from the University of California in San Diego found out. Adjust the Tilt: During the summer, the sun falls more directly to the ground, meaning that your solar panels will absorb a lot of the sunlight even without careful positioning. However, as summer transitions into the fall and eventually winter, the sun will shift and the rays will fall in a more tilted angle. So, if you want to use as much of the sunlight as possible, you will need to adjust your panels accordingly. Naturally, you should not do this on your own, but rather invite professionals to do it for you. Not only are they skilled in handling solar panels, but they will be able to calculate the optimal tilt and positioning of your panels. The best solar companies in California recommend realigning your solar panels at least twice a year in order to maximize the productivity of your panel throughout the year and not just in summer. However, if you include the fall and spring adjustment as well, you will be able to actually bring out the maximum from your panels. Deal with the Decreased Output by Saving Energy: During the summer, days are longer and usually sunnier than any other part of the year. That’s great news for your solar panels because they will be able to produce more energy. That being said, you probably spend a lot of electricity just by running your AC all day. In the fall, on the other hand, you don’t need your AC and the days are still relatively long. So, you will be able to produce a lot more energy which you won’t immediately spend. This is the time when you will be able to bring your electricity bill down by a noticeable margin. However, as fall progresses, the days will be shorter, which means that you may need to cut some unnecessary electricity spending if you want your bill to remain low; that is until winter rolls around, and you need to fire up your furnace. The technology behind solar panels is improving every day, and the time when solar panels only used to be productive in the summer are long gone. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Portable Solar Power How To Start Living Off The Grid

Small Business, Big Sustainability: Navigating The Future Of Energy And Water Management

Small businesses have always faced challenges when it comes to managing their energy and water consumption. However, with the increasing pressure to reduce our carbon footprint and the rising costs of utilities, it has become more important than ever for small businesses to take control of their energy and water usage. In this article, we will discuss the future of energy and water management for small businesses and what steps can be taken to reduce costs and become more sustainable. Measure your usage The first step in effective energy and water management for small businesses is to measure usage. This is done by installing smart meters, which provide real-time data on energy and water consumption. A half hourly meter will automatically split your energy consumption, with no manual reading required. This data can be used to identify patterns and trends in usage, which can help small businesses make informed decisions about how to reduce their consumption. Smart technology The future of energy and water management for small businesses lies in the use of smart technology. Smart technology, such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices, can be used to automate and optimize energy and water usage. For example, smart thermostats can adjust temperature settings based on occupancy patterns, and smart lighting can adjust brightness levels based on natural light levels. These devices can be controlled remotely, which means small business owners can monitor and adjust usage even when they are not on-site. Related: Best Paying Jobs In Energy Renewable energy Renewable energy sources will also play a key role in the future of energy and water management for small businesses. Small businesses can install solar panels, wind turbines, or hydroelectric generators to generate their own energy. These systems can be connected to the grid, which means any excess energy generated can be sold back to the utility company. Renewable energy sources are becoming more affordable and accessible, which means small businesses can now invest in them without breaking the bank. Water management Water management is another important aspect of energy and water management for small businesses. Small businesses can install low-flow fixtures and toilets, which can reduce water consumption by up to 30%. Water-efficient appliances, such as dishwashers as well as washing machines, can also be used to reduce water usage. Small businesses can also install rainwater harvesting systems, which collect rainwater from rooftops and store it for later use. This water can be used for irrigation, flushing toilets, or even drinking if properly treated. Water recycling systems In addition to these measures, small businesses can also implement water recycling systems. Greywater, which is wastewater from sinks, washing machines, and showers, can be reused as well as treated for non-potable uses, including irrigation or flushing toilets. Blackwater, which is wastewater from toilets, can also be treated and reused, although this requires more advanced treatment systems. Government incentives Small businesses can also take advantage of government incentives and programs to reduce their energy and water usage. For example, there are tax credits available for businesses that install renewable energy systems or energy-efficient appliances. Some utility companies also offer rebates for businesses that implement energy and water-saving measures. The future of energy and water management for small businesses lies in the use of smart technology, renewable energy sources, and water-saving measures. Small businesses can use smart technology to measure and optimize their energy and water usage, while renewable energy sources can be used to generate clean, affordable energy. Water-saving measures can also be implemented to reduce water usage and promote sustainability. With government incentives and programs available, small businesses can take advantage of these opportunities to reduce costs, improve their bottom line and become more sustainable. By taking action today, small businesses can ensure a brighter, more sustainable future for themselves and for generations to come. Read Also: Is Energy A Good Career Path? – A Detailed Guide Unleash The Benefits Of Choosing The Right Water Provider 8 Things To Consider When Purchasing A Water Tank Online

What Are Renewable Sources And How To Introduce Your Household

In the face of exhaustion of so many natural resources and ever-increasing pollution some of them cause, the need has arisen for renewable and less aggressive sources of energy. You must have heard of so many alternatives to fossil fuels which, unlike them, can be regenerated or replenished. If you are environmentally conscious or trying to become so, you are probably thinking about introducing some of those alternative resources, at least partially, since any decrease in CO2 emission or electricity usage is helpful to the planet. Numerous tech companies are attempting to introduce these technologies into our everyday lives like https://www.streetlights-solar.com/solar-street-lighting.html. Here is a brief overview of the most popular and most convenient renewable energy sources. The most popular ones are biomass, geothermal, wind, solar and water. They are all very useful and applicable in the industry, however not all of them can be easily introduced in your household, so here some more info about that, too. Solar Energy Systems Photovoltaic (solar) systems have become the most widely spread renewable source of energy in households. Solar modules turn solar energy into electricity. They can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water. These photovoltaic modules, better known as solar panels, have no movable parts, so they’re quite reliable and don’t require much maintenance. The most common way they are made is a group of photovoltaic cells in order to reach a size and electrical output which makes it viable and usable. They are really practical and suitable to use both in rural and urban areas because they don’t take up too much space, they don’t make any noise and aren’t heavy. Once installed, these devices are completely independent of the electrical grid and can power the devices that are connected to them. There are several types of photovoltaic cells, so always contact solar energy experts for help before you make a decision which ones to install. Solar panels come in different sizes, from 2 to 350 Wp electricity output, but the most widely sold and used sizes are from 160 to 240 Wp. Photovoltaic modules are either stand-alone, usually installed in a frame, free-standing or on a roof, or most often integrated into the building itself. Wind Generators I’m sure you’ve all seen those huge wind turbines beside the road, but did you know you can actually have a wind generator at home? Wind turbines normally use horizontal axis with propeller-like blades, but wind more aerodynamic wind generators and the ones with the vertical axis are also being developed in order to try and overcome the problem of noise in urban usage. They are less efficient than the horizontal axis turbines but offer a compromise which can bring them to the urban households. Household wind generators are normally used to charge the battery bank for stand-alone electricity systems. They are usually installed in distant, semi-rural locations in order to optimize the output potential. Wind generators for domestic use are usually sized from about 300W to as high as 20kW. It is necessary to assess the location’s potential before choosing the size. Combination of wind and solar systems is ideal for the whole year-round, as the photovoltaic panels are the best in the summer, and wind generators are the most efficient in winter. Small Hydro Generators These generators are the least frequent domestic source of renewable energy as they operate by converting the flowing water energy to electricity and locations with sufficient source of the flowing water energy are incredibly difficult to find. Again, just like with the two previous systems, it is necessary to consults the experts assess the potential of hydro system site. Despite the apparent difficulties, more and more people are opting to use some degree of renewable energies in a bid to combat the worst of climate change and global warming. Read More: Grow These Flowering Plants In Your Home Garden To Remove Vastu Related Problems Additional Ways To Keep Your Home Warm Five Efficient Uses Of Propane In Your Home 5 Good Luck Plants That Deserves A Place In Your Home

Ready Rooftops – How to Install Solar Panels