How to Install Solar Panels at Home?

Solar power installation in your house can be a great choice for saving money and moving towards an eco-friendly future. With solar power panels, you can generate energy in your house and not worry about the rising cost of electricity bills. However, you cannot install the solar system panels alone, so you need to hire professionals. 
Installing solar panels can seem like a difficult task. But the solar panel installation is pretty easy compared to how difficult it appears. Installing these can be healthy whether you’re building a new property or just renovating an existing one. When you hire someone for solar plant installation, you must ensure that they are familiar with the photovoltaic structure so that they can install everything in order.

Components of Rooftop Solar System

While performing solar installation in an individual house, it is extremely necessary to use the right components. Since you will be installing solar panels on the roof, having the right and handy materials ensures you don’t struggle. To install the rooftop solar system in your house, you will need the following components:

• Solar panels or modules
• Inverter
• Solar mounting structure
• Lightning Arrester
• DC Cables and Combiner Box
• Conduit pipe and cable tray for directing the cables in the proper route
• AC cables
• Earthing Cables
• Earthing Kits
• Electrical components for connection
• MC4 connectors

These are the most common solar components for installing solar panels on roofs in residential homes. When solar power panels are in your house and the system is recharged, you can get electricity anytime. You will also need batteries so that you can store the electricity that is generated. 

Choosing the Location, Angle, and Direction for Solar Panel Fitting

While installing solar panels on the roof, identify in which direction solar panel installation should be done. Well, often, it is advised to perform solar power installation in a shadow-free area. This ensures that these solar panels get enough solar power for energy generation. While installing it on the roof, you may come across a wide range of shadow-casting objects. However, it can be tough to determine which area will be shadow-free using your naked eye. Depending on these factors, professionals can help you understand how to install solar panels on the roof.

You can use various software or tools to conduct the shadow analysis before installing solar panels on your roof. To install the solar power panels correctly, you must only check the shadow cast upon the area during that time. The area where you install the shadow panels must be free of shadows from 9 AM to 4 PM. When you have professionals do the installation for you, they can help you understand which place would be the best for installing solar panels at home.

The solar panel direction in India will depend on where you install the panels. You can install it in the North, South, and vice versa. 

How to Install Solar Panels at Home?

Before installing, you must know how to install solar panels at home. This just makes it easier to perform the installation. Below, we will discuss how to set up a simple solar power system. 

1. Know the Type of Solar Panel to Install

Photovoltaic panels are usually installed with the help of solar mounts. There are three types of panel mounts available. These include:

• Pole mounts: These have a pole that supports a singular panel. 
• Roof-ground mounts: The roof-ground mounts usually handle more than one panel in a slanting direction. 
• Flush mount: The flush mount focuses on the installation of the panels. They can be easily fixed in the area you wish to install them. 

It is extremely crucial to analyse the area where you wish to do solar energy installation. Once you have found the perfect area, you can install it. The surface area where you want to install solar will help you understand how many solar mounts you need. Depending on that, you can move ahead with installing the mounts and the panels. 

2. Check the Roof for Installation

You cannot proceed with the solar panel fitting if you are unaware of the roof conditions. Not only should most of your roof area be shadow-free, but it is also important that it is durable enough. You must prepare the roof area thoroughly before the installation. 

A clean and spacious roof allows for installing a maximum number of panels. Before installing these, you can get the area where you install the solar system panels measured. Often, the company that performs the solar system installation measures the roof area. 

3. Conduct the Conduit

Always conduct the conduit properly across the roof before solar energy installation. Once it is cleared, you can move ahead with the process of building the platform. 

4. Build the Platform for Rooftop Solar System Installation

A platform is extremely important on which you will install the solar panels. The platform provides additional support and ensures the panels can be installed properly. It also protects the panels from being destroyed and maintains their position. 

5. Organise the Panels

Before conducting the final solar panel fitting process, it is important to test the association of the panels. For this purpose, you can lay the panels in their respective directions and arrange them. The arrangement of panels will help you understand how many panels you will need per row. This will help to avoid any inconvenience regarding installation during the electrical wiring process. 

6. Electrical Wiring

Electrical wiring is one of the most crucial processes for solar panel installation. This ensures the electricity runs properly across all the panels without causing short-circuits or damage. You must know how to connect solar panels using electrical wiring. However, all the solar power system components must be connected to each other through proper electrical wiring. 

Connect solar panels and solar inverter

The positive wire from the solar panel must be connected to the positive end of the inverter. The negative wire of the solar panel will therefore be connected to the negative end of the inverter. Similarly, the output series of the panel will be connected to the input of the inverter. However, you must switch off the inverter while performing the solar installation. 

Connect solar inverter and battery

After the first step, you must establish the connection between the inverter and the battery for solar panel fitting. The battery is one of the most vital components because it stores the power backup. The battery connection helps recharge the grids and solar panels. The positive end of the inverter must be attached to the positive terminal of the battery, and vice versa for the negative terminal. 

Connect solar inverter and home electricity

To connect the inverter to the home electricity, just plug in the main switch on the board. The output wire will provide electricity all across the home.  Once you learn how to connect the solar panel, you can move ahead to conduct the final inspection.

7. Run a Final Inspection

Once you have connected all the ends, it is time to run a final inspection. During the final inspection, ensure that all ends are properly connected. This inspection is done to avoid the risk of any short-circuiting. While running the final inspection, ensure that there are no watery substances. Your solar panel installer can help you with the process of conducting the final solar panel installation. 

8. Activate the Panel

After running the final inspection, you must consider activating the solar panel. You can switch on the power and check if all the panels function correctly. You should check the electrical wiring system if any panels are not functioning properly. This will make it simpler for you to use solar panels. Once it is activated, you can move ahead with using the system. 

Safety Tips to Install Solar System at Home

It is important to perform it properly during the solar panel installation process. For this, you need to follow the safety tips to help you avoid any problems. Some of the major safety tips to follow for solar panel installation include the following:

• Wear proper protective gear: Since you will be using a lot of electrical equipment, it is important to wear proper protective gear. Experts often use gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and harnesses to prevent the risk of falling and getting injuries. 
• Use the right tools and equipment: Before starting the solar system installation, it is important to check that you have all the necessary equipment. You can take ladders, power tools, scaffolding, ropes, and harnesses. 
• Turn off the power: Always turn off the power during the solar panel installation. You can shut down the circuit breaker or even insulate the system with the help of a disconnecting switch. 
• Secure panels and mounts: All the panels and mounts must be secured tightly. This helps to prevent the risk of damage and accidents. Securing them tightly ensures that the panels and mounts will be able to withstand any kind of harsh weather conditions and winds. 

If you didn’t get any professional help, it is advisable to do so. The professionals have been involved in this business for years and know how to install a solar power plant in homes. You must hire a licensed professional so that they can install the panels correctly and safely. 

Conclusion

Solar panels can be an excellent option for your house, especially if you want to save money on electricity. Considering the rising electricity bills, opting for solar panel installation can be helpful. Moreover, these are very eco-friendly options as well. At the same time, it is important to perform the solar installation properly. This helps to avoid any kind of unwanted or unnecessary risk. Reaching out to professionals who are experienced in this field can prove to be beneficial. These experts will ensure that the panels are installed properly. 

FAQs

Can I perform solar panel installation on my own?

Yes, you can perform the solar panel installation independently if you know the procedure. However, if you have never done it, you must not do it as it can have safety risks. If you do it independently, you must know how to install solar panels.

Can I save money by installing solar panels?

The solar panel installation process will be costly. Since you are moving towards a sustainable future, the equipment you purchase will be quite expensive. Nonetheless, in the long run, installing solar panels can help you save money as you will save against high electricity or utility bills. 

What number of solar panels do I require for my house?

The number of solar panels you require for your house will depend on the size of the area. You can measure the house’s surface area by installing solar panels on the roof. The professionals can help you understand how many panels you need for your house. 

What is the price of a solar panel setup?

The price of solar energy installation will vary depending on different factors. While some companies require you to buy equipment separately, others will provide the equipment and installation in the same deal. Before opting for the installation, you can request a quotation from each company and proceed accordingly. 

How much time does it take to instal solar panels?

Different factors, like the solar panel size and installation process, affect how long it takes to install. Usually, the time for installation for residential purposes ranges from one to three days. The time taken for installation can be longer if the process is complex and the installation area is bigger. It will also depend on in which direction the solar panel installation is done.