7 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

Are you someone who is planning to install solar panels or solar systems at your home or office? You might know how solar panels work to generate electricity and how solar electricity can run all your electrical appliances. But do you know the things to keep in mind before installing solar panels at your home?

Installing a solar system and solar panel is considered to be an investment. If the solar systems are brought from branded companies like UTL then you can be assured about total ROI. Did you know that solar panels have 25 years of performance warranty*? Within 3-4 years investment is recovered after that they will be able to generate free electricity.

Solar panels are of many types but the most selling models of solar panels are:  Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. Solar panels don’t require extra space for their installation, they can be installed on any roof. You don’t need an extra empty land area. But there are Things to Keep in Mind Before Installing Solar Panels At Your Home.

What Are the Things to Consider Before the Installation of Solar Panels?

1. Having the Right Knowledge about Solar Technologies for Choosing

To install solar panels you must be aware of the latest solar technology in the market, moreover, you should also know the type of solar technology you need as per your requirements.

There’s thermal technology that’s used in solar heaters, to heat water. 

Again, there’s the photovoltaic technology that’s used to produce solar electricity.

In the photovoltaic category, there are two types as discussed earlier:

The monocrystalline solar panels are identified by black photo-voltaic cells with round edges. Having a higher conversion efficiency than polycrystalline solar panels.

Monocrystalline solar panels are known to produce more kilowatt-hours of electricity. If you are planning to install a solar system but have space limitations then these panels will prove to be more productive per square foot area.

Here are some monocrystalline Solar Panels from UTL Solar: Mono Perc Solar Panels, Mono Solar Panel 165 Watt, Mono Solar Panel 200 Watt, Mono Solar Panel 400 Watt.

While they’re the most efficient solar panels, they’re also the most expensive, since the manufacturing process of single-crystal silicon cells is more complex.

The polycrystalline solar panels are identified by blue-hued photo-voltaic cells with straight edges. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper in price since their manufacturing process is simpler. These solar panels are very durable and budget friendly.

Here are some of the best selling solar panels from UTL Solar: 100 Watt Solar Panel, 160 Watt Solar Panel, 265watt Solar Panel, 330 Watt Solar Panel, 335 Watt Solar Panel, 40 Watt Solar Panel, 60 Watt Solar Panel.

It is very important to choose the right kind of solar panel as that will affect the energy that your solar system will generate. Solar systems consist of solar panels and inverter, sometimes it has an added backup and is supported by batteries. So, it is very important to install a good inverter as well. To know more about types of inverters click on the link below:

Solar Inverter: Types, Specification and Latest Price in India

2. Calculating your Energy Consumption

Before installing solar panels and the solar system it is important to calculate the daily power usage. This step will help you decide the right size of the solar system & you will be able to calculate the number of solar panels required accordingly.

To calculate your daily power usage you have to note this simple formula.

Daily Power Consumption = Wattage rating x time in hours

Solar Panel Installation by UTL Solar

3. Determine the Size of the Solar System & Calculate the No. of Solar Panels

Now, that you have calculated the power consumption you can make an informed decision about what size of the solar system you will need and how many solar panels will be able to meet your daily power consumption needs.

Remember this 3 thumb rule to determine the size of the solar system & calculate the no. of solar panels.

The amount of bill should equal the kW of the solar system

For example: If your bill comes to 5000, then a system of 5kW should be installed.

Only 80% of the sanctioned load is used to install the solar system

Example: Sanctioned load – 5kW

Maximum Solar Plant Allowed – 4kW

The sanctioned load will have to be increased for bigger size.

Maximum Plant Size (kw) = Shadow Free Area in Sq Feet /100

Example – Shadow free area on your roof – 1800 Sq Feet

The maximum plant you can install – 18kW

Whichever of these three has the least value, the solar system of the same size should be installed by you.

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4. Rooftop Survey

A good solar panel installer will always do a site survey before the installation of solar panels. This is a very crucial thing to keep in mind, as every roof is different thus the plan for solar panel installation for every roof has to be planned accordingly to get the maximum output from the solar panels installed.

A rooftop survey helps the installer plan how the solar panels can be placed on the roof in an optimized manner, it helps them note the following factors:

• Material of Roofing
• Pitch of Roofing
• Shape and Size of Roof
• Orientation of Roof
• Shade Around Roof

If the rooftop survey is not done properly then shadows can minimize the optimization, this can be prevented with a site survey. A site survey helps the installer to check for unsafe wire joints and structure joints, the installer can chart out a safety plan before installation so that post installation there are no safety issues.

5. Awareness About Subsidies & Offers

As you might be aware that the government promotes eco-friendly products/ concepts for the welfare of the environment and generating power from solar is absolutely pollution free, it reduces carbon footprint and there’s no emission of hazardous gasses in this process. Locally and globally there are many schemes and subsidies that are provided to people who switch to solar power To promote and inspire more and more masses these schemes have been initiated. In general government, incentives come in two main forms.

• Investment subsidies, in which the cost of installing solar panels is partially refunded.
• Feed-in tariffs or net metering, whereby the solar electricity you produce can be sold to the electricity utility operating the grid.

6. Check If You Need a Battery

If you wish to take an off-grid inverter or hybrid inverter then, a battery must be taken into consideration. A good battery from a good brand should be brought so that you get a good battery life and long hours of backup. To choose the right battery click on the link below:

A Guide To Buy Best Inverter Battery for Home

7. Choosing a Trusted Installer

Now that you have considered these parameters, and you are ready to install solar panels you must remember that the life of the solar panels and the working of your solar system will depend on the quality. Quality is promised by the brands and their services.

Even if you are going for good brands it is said that it’s always better to make solar panels, solar inverters, and batteries (if needed) from the same company. Have you wondered why?

It is because these work in coordination with each other if in case one component fails the whole system will get affected. Now, in such a case if you take three things from three different companies then, their service team will not only charge the services differently but also put blames on each other and you will have to suffer the consequences. But if you take all the components of the solar system from one company then, the company will have to attend to your problems, and your service cost will be saved.

Choosing solar panels, solar inverters, solar batteries and other parts from different companies might look cheap but in the long run, it’s a loss.

To install solar panels follow these steps so that you are able to make an informed decision. And you are able to get the maximum benefit by installing solar panels and the solar system.