Did you know that the US has more than 2 million solar panels installed all over the country to date? What is making solar a fad these days?
You can ask any solar panel installer near you and he would say either of the several benefits you can get from having a solar system installed in your home or business.
This article will walk you through the solar panel installation process so you will know what happens when a solar panel installer gets the job done for you.
Components of a Solar Panel System
Solar panel systems are made up of solar panels, a mounting system, and a solar inverter with a computerized controller. The inverter converts the generated electricity from the solar panels into electricity that can be used by electrical devices.
The computerized controller manages the solar system and ensures that it will have optimal performance. You can also opt for a battery backup system or an off-grid solar system and your solar panel installer will include a battery in the installment.
What Can a Solar Panel Installer Do For You?
A solar panel installer or technician is responsible for installing solar photovoltaic panels on roofs and other structures. They have an extensive understanding of:
- Photovoltaic panels
- How solar technology works
- How to help customers maximize their use of the panels
- How to protect the panels during and after installation
Most solar panel installations are done outdoors where most buildings and homes receive their maximum amount of sunlight, but they sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid.
Solar panel installers comply with site assessment and schematics when installing solar panels on roofs. Their other tasks in structural framing of solar modules include:
- Planning the system based on the needs of the customers and the layout of the site
- Measuring
- Cutting
- Assembling
- Bolting
- Connecting the panels to the power grid
- Minor electrical work like performing current checks
- Maintenance
- Solar system tests
Solar companies have different teams that work together for a successful solar panel system installation. Hence, solar panel installers often work with other teams, installers, and electricians to ensure that the panels have been correctly connected to the power grid.
The Solar Panel Installation Process
Solar power is becoming more affordable, accessible, and prevalent in the United States. Solar panel installations have grown 35-fold to an estimated 62.5 gigawatts, enough to power the equivalent of 12 million average American homes.
Here’s typically how American homes get their solar panel installed by a solar panel installer:
- The technician will erect or set up scaffolding to ensure safety during the whole installation process, especially when the panels are being mounted on the roof.
- The solar panel mounting system is set up to support the base of the solar panels. The whole mounting structure is tilted at an angle between 18 and 36 degrees to have maximum sunlight exposure.
- The solar panel is installed on the mounting structure once the mounts are set up. The solar panel installer will tighten all the bolts and nuts so that your solar panels stay stable.
- The electric wiring is then installed. In most cases, MC4 connectors are used because they are suited for all types of solar panels. Your technician should make sure that all the household’s electrical supply is shut off during the wiring installation.
- A solar inverter is connected to your solar panel system near the main panel. The best place to install inverters is in the garage or utility room where it’s cool and ventilated most times of the year.
- Thereafter, the solar inverter is connected to the solar battery which can provide you electricity during cloudy days.
- The inverter is likewise connected to the consumer unit to generate electricity. A generation meter is connected so you can see the amount of electricity that your solar panels are producing.
- The final step is when the solar panel installer will start and test your newly installed solar panel system. If it’s working well and good, the installation process is complete.
Maintaining Your Solar Panel System
A solar panel system requires very little maintenance. You can also ask your solar panel installer to perform regular checks and maintenance on your solar panels if you don’t have the luxury of time to do so.
Even if you opt to do the maintenance on your own, consult with your solar panel installer about the warranty of your panels.
It is recommended that you have your system examined every 4-6 years by a solar panel installer. Locate Solar Alternatives in Jackson, Mississippi through Google My Business for your solar panel installation and maintenance.
