Well, you have decided to go solar and have chosen your panels. Now is the time to decide the type of mounting system that will best suit your budget, living space and energy needs. The two types of mounting systems are the ground mount and roof mount racking systems.

The roof mount system attaches to brackets on your roof. But the ground mount systems are built into a foundation at ground level. Both these types have their drawbacks and benefits. Let us have a look at the benefits and drawbacks for each kind and then summarize them. This will prepare you significantly well to decide on the kind of mounting that will suit your needs the best.

Here’s a quick summary of Pros and Cons of Both System

Ground Mount Solar Racking

Pros	Cons
• Easy to clean • Overall stronger racking • Cooler panel temperatures mean higher energy output • Easy to access • Easier to troubleshoot • Panels need not be removed at the time of roof replacement • System not confined to the size of the roof	• Installation more expensive • Permitting process more expensive • Installation more labor-intensive • Takes up real estate • Needs more parts and pieces • Not very aesthetic

Roof Mount Solar Racking

Pros	Cons
• Needs fewer materials to install • Utilizes unused space • Less expensive • Installation labor cost is lower • Easier to permit	• Tougher to troubleshoot errors • Size of the system limited due to space constraint on the roof • Harder to access, more so, if the roof is slippery or steep • Higher panel temperature causes less energy output • Putting holes in the roof could cause water damage • Difficulty if you need to replace the roof during the lifetime of the panel

Now let’s discuss each in detail…

Ground Mount solar racking has the following benefits :

Perfect Alignment

The solar system will work best only when the solar array can get as much sunlight as possible. It is always tricky to get the perfect alignment in the case of a roof-mounted system. Your roof may not necessarily face direct sunlight. But with ground mount systems, you can face any direction you wish and align the system at the optimal angle so that it receives direct sunlight. Thus ground mount systems maximize access to sunlight.

Beneficial for Grid-Ties and Off-Grid Consumers

The perfect angle and being raised off the ground allow better cooling and airflow thus making the ground-mount arrays more efficient. As a result, more energy is produced.

Maximum solar panels are tested at an average of 77oF. But if it becomes hotter than this, the panels become less efficient and produce 10 -25% less power. This is because semiconductors suffer more resistance to the flow of electricity. But when there are proper airflow and cooling, the panels work in optimal conditions and give proper output.

Giving Room for Growth

If the installation is being made on the roof, the space gets limited. It becomes quite impossible to make the most efficient array. If your energy requirements increase in the future, it would be tough to add more panels.

But if you go ground mount, there is no such restriction provided there is enough space in the yard. The array can be expanded after the initial installation and you can easily make additions.

Accessibility

Solar systems need lots of trial and error, mainly during the installation phase. It will be a headache if you have to move to the roof every time you need to troubleshoot. And if you have considered a system with microinverters and optimizers, then the trouble Is more, as replacing any of these components fitted beneath the panels can be troublesome. You will have to remove many panels to reach the problem. But if the system is at the ground level, troubleshooting is easier.

Also, it is easier to clean and maintain ground mount panels. You will be saved from risk while you wash off pollen and dust, clean off snow or remove debris from beneath the panels. Pole mounts can be considered for heavy snow areas and given perfect tilt to maximize energy production and shed snow during the winter months.

The Drawbacks Of Ground Mounted Solar

• More Upfront Cost and More Labor Intensive

A ground mount is more complex to install and needs more money for completing the work. If you are concerned with maximizing the return of your investment, the roof mount is better-suited.

The upfront cost is more as more parts need to be assembled. In the case of roof arrays, half of the structure is there. But for the ground array, you have to construct a strong roof-like structure so that the panels can be kept in place.

You also need to get your soil surveyed to see if it can hold the system firmly in its place. And you have to dig large holes and pay extra for parts to build a proper foundation for the panels. A lot of these costs can be curtailed with roof-mounted systems, providing your roof is in good shape.

• Takes a Longer Permitting Process

The permitting process is lengthier for the ground-mount system. Moreover, the county or city you reside in may have a heavier hand in the installation process if the system is considered a new structure. You have to obtain a building permit from the authority having jurisdiction in your area. For the same, you will have to –

• • • Submit a design plan
    • Pay permitting fees
    • Consider soil nature and property line setback needs
• Occupies Real Estate

This is the main drawback. It occupies a lot of space in your property which you could have utilized otherwise. If you have a huge property, the space issue might not be a big deal. So it may be convenient for people living out in the country. But if your property is small, this is an issue. It might not be an option at all.

Again it might be a bother for people who are aesthetically inclined. For them, it might be like a blemish on their property.

What are the key points to consider if you should go for Ground Mount?

Before going ground-mount, ask yourself the following questions and the answers will take you to the correct decision.

What is the nature of the soil?

If the soil is hard to dig, the installation cost is bound to exceed hugely. And you may have to rent heavy-duty equipment to drill holes in the ground. There are ways to keep digging to a minimum like a ballasted system.

How much do you intend to spend on the upfront cost?

Ground-mount racking needs more labor and parts to install and the permitting process is also lengthier and more costly. But once the installation is done, you will get a more efficient energy output. Also, the cost and hassle of removal of panels are not there if you consider re-roofing. You pay a bit more in the beginning but save over time.

Will there be a need to expand the system?

A rooftop system is fine if you do not intend to live off-grid. Enough energy will be produced for your necessities. But, if, you are planning to go off-grid, the ground mount will give you the scope to add more panels with increasing energy needs over time. Also, you get the perfect tilt so that the panels get the maximum direct sunlight.

What are the benefits of Roof-Mount solar Racking?

The roof-mounting racking system is better for customers who –

• Want a system that is simple to install
• Want to spend less money at the start
• Want to maximize their ROI
• Don’t have a lot of space

The benefits of roof-mount racking :

• Less Upfront Cost

This system needs less time and money upfront for installation. Here the most complex part of the structure is already in place and you need not dig holes or get your soil tested. Further, you need not buy expensive materials like concrete or poles. This racking system is perfect for grid-tied customers who wish to make a smart investment.

• Utilize Unused Space

The roof-mount system is used in houses where there is hardly enough space for a ground-mount system, like if you are living in a tightly-packed suburb or a condo. And the little space you have is best used for the kids to play or for barbecues. When you mount panels on the roof, you are using the space which would otherwise remain unutilized.

This mounting system is also used by people having lots of lands as that is more inconspicuous. Also, the space on your property remains free where you can do farming, raise animals and such other things.

• Increases Insulation and Protection

The roof-mount racking system protects the roof from hazardous elements like UV light, rain, wind, and snow. Also, it provides more insulation. And in case you are living off-grid, this is a cool way to keep your home naturally cooler during daytime and warmer at night.

• Easier Permitting

If you hate bureaucratic processes and their entanglements, the roof-mount racking system is just perfect for you. The permitting process is simpler. You will have to submit the blueprints of your home to show that the roof is structurally sound enough and make sure that the electrical and wiring systems are up to code. It will not be an issue unless you are living in an old home.

You will not have to submit any extra design paperwork as you will not be building a new structure on your property and so no long approval process.

What are the drawbacks of Roof-Mount solar Racking?

The typical downsides of roof-mounted solar systems are –

• Accessibility

It would be wise to consider the accessibility factor of your roof. You may not just want to climb on it depending on the pitch and the material the roof is made of. Like, metal roofs are quite slippery. It is also harder to modify and troubleshoot.

• Space Constraint

A part of your roof houses the vents, chimneys and many other obstructions. And you may not have a lot of remaining space to work with. Also if you need to add to the existing structure in the future if there is an added requirement of energy, it will be tough.

• Less Efficient

Roof-mounted systems are usually less efficient as compared to the ground-mount ones as the rooftop panels cannot be aimed at the sun directly. It is difficult to angle an array on an existing structure to optimize for full power consumption during peak hours.

Here you are left at the mercy of the already existing specifications of your roof. You cannot always get the panels to face a particular direction. You may need to buy a few more panels to compensate and match the production of a perfectly aligned ground-mount system.

What are the key points to consider if you should go for Roof Mount?

Get the answers to the following questions before you decide whether you want to go for the roof-mount solar system-

Are there any constraints laid down by your HOA regarding where you can mount your panels?

The homeowners association (HOA) can prevent you from installing solar panels depending on the solar access laws of your state. Check the guidelines with your HOA before making any purchase. Then you can go through negotiations with them while you acquire the permitting order.

What is the age of your roof?

The lifespan of a roof and a solar system is quite the same. So it is always wise to install the solar system at the time the roof is built. Roofs that are less than 5 years of age are ideal for solar installation. If the age of your roof is more, give a thought as to whether you will replace the roof at the time you install the solar panels.

And if your roof is too old, has leaks or damage or issues of structural integrity you may have to think of roof repairs before installation as the roof needs to be in real good shape to withstand the weight of the solar array. Because repairing it after the installation of solar panels will be an enormous task – both physical and economical.

What is the cost of your electricity?

Mostly go solar thinking it to be an investment as it needs a huge financial commitment upfront and the amount of return depends on the amount of energy you consume. The savings will also depend on the state you are living in, whether it is a remote area having expensive electricity.

 

Solar panels are expensive as they are made of huge amounts of high-purity silicon. They also need qualified installers and are to be complemented with electrical protections and inverters for a reliable power supply. Cost depends on the efficiency and number of panels needed and is directly proportional to both.

The most expensive part while going solar is the payment for the equipment. It counts for 25 percent of the total expense. Soft costs or outlays also have a significant contribution. The breakdown below will help you understand the expense of a solar panel system and also provide tips on how to save.

• Soft Costs – 49%
• Labor – 8%
• Inverter – 7%
• Hardware Materials – 25%
• Structural Mounting – 11%

Big solar contractors mark their quotes 2 to 3 times the cost of equipment. So if you want to save money you may go for local contractors. It is always wise to hire an independent contractor than a full-service solar company. The cost of equipment is the same wherever you go. But large installers have overhead costs as they need to cover office rent, labor, supply equipment and a fleet of service vehicles, insurance and so on. These operating costs get added to your charge of the installation. Also, turnkey installers charge 1 to 2 times the cost of equipment.

Also, keep in mind that solar is an investment and the initial cost is high. But you will make savings on your monthly electric bills. The time taken to break even is called the payback period. The payback period will depend on how much you save and so it would be wise to contact a qualified solar provider for a professional assessment of your property and its solar potential. Again solar panels are more productive in sunny locales. Also, it is more beneficial where electricity costs are high.

It is always wise to start small which will cover part of your energy requirements. Thereafter, you can expand as your budget permits.

What is the Payback Period?

Solar saves you money in the long run by decreasing electric bills. The saved money adds up over a period. The payback period is the amount of time taken for energy savings to pay off the up-front cost of the system.

What constitutes the cost of a solar system?

There are several constituents in residential solar installations that have their effect on the final price. The largest expense for new installations is the hardware. Collectors, batteries, and panels count for 25% of the entire cost of the new system. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 64% of solar system price comes from soft costs which include

• Sales Tax
• Transaction fees
• Permit fees
• Labor

Solar energy prices can be reduced with the lowering of prices for equipment. Though the soft cost involved in installations have continued to escalate.

How have the recent changes in import tariffs affected the prices of rooftop panels?

The tariff on imported solar panels has been increased to 30 percent by the US government in January 2018. The tariffs drop by 5 percent every year. So it will end at 15 percent in 2021. This rise is definitely to be felt by the consumers through the installation companies are trying to pass very little of this rise to their clients.

What are the ways by which you can lower the cost of solar power installation?

The ways consumers can lower the final bill for their residential power systems are –

• Choose the ideal installation company which have financing terms to suit your budget
• The federal tax credit gives the advantage to receive 26% of your investment back for a new installation. Avail the same and also if any incentive is offered by your state. There may be renewable energy credits or solar power rebates too.
• You might go for used equipment. But be cautious while doing so. Used equipment may have internal damage which will hinder the performance of your system.
• You can go for low-interest loans and in such cases, the net cost might be just zero. The installation cost is borne by the bank. And then the loan can be covered by the savings you make from the power bill.
•  The maintenance and operation costs are quite low with solar panels. They also have a long service life. Thus the upfront cost of solar panels is recovered.
• You can become a solar power generator and provide electricity to others.

 

How much expense is needed to maintain a residential solar system?

Regular maintenance and inspection are needed as the components get damaged, wear out or become obsolete. The cost of the upkeep is to be borne by the homeowner. The cost of equipment replacement and repairs is highly variable. The average cost of professional cleaning to free solar panels of debris and dirt is around $10 to $20 per panel. Once you know how many panels your home will need, the calculation is easy! You may also consider cleaning your own panels to reduce the cost. But for optimal performance of your system, periodic professional cleaning is necessary!

Does the installation company have any effect on price?

Most solar power companies often provide incentives to the customers and this will have a positive impact on the final price of residential power systems. It would be wise to check with various installation companies to get the best price. But just don’t go by the price. Read the reviews to understand the quality of service offered by the company before choosing. You may use an online solar marketplace to obtain competitive bids from multiple installers.

You may also use free public sources of information like the Department of Energy’s website to educate yourself. The more educated you are about installation, the better choice you will be able to make.

What are the other factors you need to consider?

There are several other deciding factors you need to ponder on.

Inverter – There are three main kinds of inverters – centralized inverters, power optimizers, and string inverters. While the centralized inverters serve the entire system, the power optimizers and string inverters are attached to each panel in a system. The power optimizers and string inverters are usually more costly than centralized inverters.

Panels – The cost of a solar panel is directly proportional to its efficiency. But it is for you to find out whether you need the most efficient equipment to produce energy enough to meet your home requirements.
Mounting System – You can install a solar energy system on the ground or the roof of a building. When installed on the ground, it may be equipped with a tracking system to maximize energy production. Costs will escalate with a more complex mounting system. So give a thought before going for your installation.

Complex Roofs – If your roof has an unusual angle or multiple levels or dormers, installing your solar system can be complicated. The panels are to be arranged in a way to maximize energy production, but this added effort will escalate the costing.

Improving your Electrical System – Your electrical system may need an upgrade to be brought up to code. This extra work will increase the expense of your solar installation.

Warranties – You will be able to get the maximum power from your system with warranties on workmanship to equipment on your solar energy installation. But be sure to hire the correct installer who offers the right warranty and meets your budget. Solar panel manufacturers usually offer a 10-year warranty against factory defects and a 25-year warranty for energy production more than 80% of the rated value.

Landscaping – If trimming branches or landscaping your area is needed to maximize the production of energy, it is better to do it yourself to minimize cost.

 

Severe storms leading to power troubles might have come up with the question – “What will happen to solar energy if the power goes out?” Well, the response is very straightforward. Solar power will never act as a backup generator. Solar energy will go out similar to other energy forms during a severe storm. Thus solar panels will not be able to work by themselves during a power outage but if it is paired with solar battery storage, they will be helpful.

So let us find out how solar panels work, what happens at times of power outages and whether a backup system is absolutely essential.

How does the solar energy system work?

Solar energy comes from solar panels. The panels absorb energy from the sun to form direct current (DC) electricity. But since most houses and establishments run on alternate current (AC), DC electricity is changed to AC electricity by an inverter. Once the conversion is done, it powers your homes. So it is quite evident that solar panels cannot work as a backup if AC electricity goes off due to any reason including bad weather.

Do solar panels work during a power outage?

Ordinary grid-tied solar will not work during a grid failure and there are two reasons for it. The first reason is technical while the second is entirely a safety and regulatory issue.

First, let us talk about the technical reason. The electronics controlling a solar system changes current and voltage constantly so that the panels operate efficiently with the change in sunlight. For this, the system will produce power quantities that do not depend on the actual usage of your house at that point in time. In the case of a grid-connected system, excess power is sent back to the grid so that the others can use while your utility credits you on your bill for that power.

The output of solar power is directly variable with the levels of sunlight and so connecting this variable resource to the electrical system of your home directly would result in the blinking of the lights, wreaking havoc on your television and computers and damaging your refrigerator.

The second reason for solar shutting down during a blackout is safety. Whenever there is a power outage, repair crews are sent out by the power utility to locate and fix the points of failure. Linemen will be at danger if a local power generator like a solar system is adding power to the grid lines. So as per utility rules, solar arrays must shut down automatically whenever there is a power outage. So solar systems are equipped with detectors that find out whether power is coming through the grid and whenever they find that the grid power is down, they shut down automatically too so that the utility workers are not harmed.

Why do I need a solar battery during a power outage?

Once the electric grid shuts down due to extreme weather conditions or other reasons it will include your solar panels. The reason for the shutdown is to protect the linesmen. Again the solar system panel is connected to the grid through a solar inverter which runs to a meter that records your energy usage and the excess energy you contribute to the grid. So with the shutdown of the grid, the solar panels hang up.

In these conditions, the only way your solar panels will continue generating power is through solar battery storage. Thus solar storage has become a necessity today and is becoming an integral part of the infrastructure of renewable energy.

Can you go for a battery backup?

You can install backup batteries as this will act as a backup system at times of power outages. But here you will have to consider the cost-effectiveness. The cost to benefit ratio might not be good enough. Also, such backup systems require significant maintenance and replacement after every 7 – 10 years. But the Tesla Power Wall has come up with new prospects that may be explored.

Is Battery Backup a good idea?

Battery storage for PV solar systems has arguments both for and against it. The ‘for’ argument is that the battery backup will enable your business or home to run during a blackout. While the biggest ‘against’ of battery storage is the cost which might be double the cost of your clean energy system. Batteries are toxic and difficult to discard after usage and thus compromise the ‘clean energy’ perspective of solar energy. Also, batteries have a short life as compared to the solar system components. They are bulky and heavy too and need lots of maintenance for performing the best. So it often happens that people simply stock on candles or buy a flashlight.

But if you are residing in an area where there is a frequent power outage, backup power becomes a necessity and not a luxury. You might also need to keep certain medical equipment always on the roll 24 x 7. If such is the case, battery backup is definitely something you can look out for. But if you are living in an area that does not have frequent outages, think twice before investing in a battery backup.

Are you in need of a back-up battery system?

You will need a backup battery system if you –

• Experience frequent power outages
• Have critical appliances in your home
• Feel comfortable with the knowledge that you will have endless energy even when the grid is down
• Experience extreme weather conditions

How to power through blackouts with a solar battery?

You can power through a power outage with a reliable solar battery and control the energy storage. The excess solar energy of the panels is diverted to the battery and backup panel to power the useful appliances and the most utilized rooms of your house.

Though generators offer a temporary solution during blackouts, yet they depend on fossil fuels and can prove to be quite disruptive. With a solar battery, you have the opportunity to store energy in a green and clean way which can come useful at times of power outage. The batteries store the electricity produced by the solar panels in the daytime so that they can be used at times of need.

What is the right size of your backup system?

If you need total home backup, it would be a good idea to call solar designers who will analyze the electric use patterns of your home and likewise make recommendations to keep all the loads running. At times, an upgradation to your electric panel may be required and this might be quite useful at times of power outages.

But if the electrical situation in your home does not need whole home backup, you can backup certain essential loads.

How are new Inverters useful at times of power outage?

New inverters provide a partial solution to the grid power failure problem as they come with a secure power supply (SPS) that can connect to an external socket outlet. They can supply 1500W of daytime power as the sun shines and the array generates enough power when there is a grid outage. This system will supply a small amount of electricity even when the grid is out and the other solar PV systems are down. Thus this new technology will be able to provide a limited amount of electricity to your business or home during a power outage. Also, these new inverters address the safety and technical issues by forming a small, independent circuit totally disconnected from the grid.

The inverter controls the electrical output of the solar panel and is an alternative to sending out changing power levels.

Why is solar given significance for addressing blackouts?

Solar has been given prominence for addressing blackouts as it is equally effective for both businesses and homes. Many homes require a “critical load” which is the power requirement in twenty-four hours in a day due to the medical concerns of a resident. Blackouts can prove to be detrimental to such load energy users. For them, it can become a case of life and death. With solar panels and proper backup, such difficulties can be overcome.

Moreover, solar power can be a lifesaver as extrasolar panels can take the place of the grid at times of crisis.

What is the preferred backup – generator or battery?

To give a rational response, it would be wise to study the pros and cons of both situations.

Pros of Battery Backup

• Quiet operation
• Uninterrupted power backup
• Least maintenance cost

Cons of Battery Backup

• Expensive
• Sized to provide back up of only essential appliances

Pros of Generator Backup

• More economical
• Sized typically to back up your entire home

Cons of Generator Backup

• Noisy operation
• Does not provide an uninterrupted supply
• Needs refueling and requires maintenance

 

With all this information, it is for you to choose whether you would like to go for a backup system and if so, the preferred one!

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The direction or orientation of a solar panel is very important as it is the deciding factor for power output. The more correct the orientation of the panels, the more the output. A panel will produce the most power when the rays of the sun hit its surface perpendicularly. So it is very important to place your solar panels in the correct direction so they get exposure to the highest intensity of sunlight for the maximum period of time to yield the maximum energy.

What is the preferred direction for facing solar panels?

The best direction for us in North America is placing the solar panels facing true south. This way the panels will receive direct sunlight all through the day. Care should be taken that the panels face the geographic south, i.e. direction towards the South Pole and not the magnetic south (“south” direction shown by compass needle).

The best direction for domestic use

If you are using these panels for entire domestic purposes, south-west facing solar panels can prove to be more useful. This is because such solar panels will yield more energy in the actual hours of need. Facing south-west, the panels will receive the rays from the setting sun producing more energy in the evening to be used by people for their domestic purposes as the energy need in our homes is the maximum during these hours. The energy needs during the daytime is usually taken care of by electricity from other sources. So, though clinically speaking, the panels should face south, but utility-wise, south-west or simply west might be a better alternative.

So if you are residing in areas under a TOU (Time of Use) payment system, west or south-west facing solar panels would be ideal. But, if not under a TOU payment system, the south would be the preferred direction.

Again this south or west issue can be solved by using a solar backup battery. The battery will store the energy when the sun rays are striking the panels the most and you can use this stored energy whenever you need it.

What should be the preferred angle of tilt for your solar panels?

The geographical latitude of your location is the controlling factor in determining the angle a solar panel should be set to yield the maximum energy. The solar panel should be tilted at an angle equal to the geographical latitude to yield optimal energy. Say, if you are living at 50o latitude the solar panels should preferably be tilted at an angle of 50o. Such a tilt means that the sun rays fall perpendicularly on the solar panels producing maximum energy.

A higher tilt in the northern locales is also effective in draining away the snow that otherwise will accumulate on the panels in the winter months blocking the sun rays.

The common way of determining the tilt is as follows:

For winter – (latitude x 0.9) + 29
For summer – (latitude x 0.9) – 23.5

What is the best direction for solar panels to face in Florida?

In the northern part of Florida, orientation (tilt and azimuth) of solar panels play a key role in energy generation. But in its southern parts where you are at a lesser latitude, azimuth (degrees clockwise from true north) is not of great significance. This becomes truer if your roof is shallow or the solar panels are flat mounted.

What is the best direction for solar panels to face in California?

In California, most electric utilities including SMUD and PG&E are changing over to TOU (time-of-use) pricing, which means that the rate charged for electricity will vary depending on the time you use it.

The demand for electricity is low between 9 pm to 9 am and so for these hours, the consumers are charged less. After 9 am, as soon as we get off the bed, the consumption increases manifold. And the rate increases proportionally. During the summertime, there is another period between 4 pm and 7 pm when the usage is maximum. The rate is fixed in tandem.

In these conditions, it would be preferable to produce electricity towards the end of the day when you and your family are at home and would be using power more. If that is the situation, west-facing solar panels are more effective than the south-facing ones. With west-facing panels, though the yearly electricity production is 14% less, yet the fall in percentage is just 1% for the summer seasons.

Moreover, these panels would be producing energy when you need it the most. So you will be drawing less energy from the grid during peak hours and this will be reflected in your energy bill.

What is the best direction for solar panels to face in Texas?

In Texas also, it is preferable to have your solar panels facing west or south-west than true south. This is because though the west-facing panels show a drop of 14% in annual energy output, this deficiency reduces to 1% during the summer months. Given this, the best placement of solar panels is southwest. Thus a southwest or western orientation will yield the maximum energy during peak hours and thus keeping utility in mind, south-west or west is definitely the preferred orientation.

Will solar panels work on east-facing roofs?

Roofs facing east will not get as much sunlight as south-facing roofs get. The east-facing roofs will get the direct sun rays during the first half of the day. As such, these roofs will have a 20% less yield than their south-facing counterparts. Even taking into consideration this decrease, the solar panels will produce enough energy to have a huge positive impact on your domestic expenses. However, if you have a south-east facing roof, the deficit in energy generation is bound to lessen.

To solve the problem of decline in production, you will have to increase the solar collector area by using larger collectors or more panels. Again you may mount the panels on racks which are oriented in a way to face south, but this is a more expensive proposition.

If the east-facing roofs are shallow or if they have a low to moderate slope, then the yield is better than if they have steep slopes. Also, you may lower the tilt of your panels on your east-facing roofs to increase the yield. Panels that face east when tilted at 30 degrees will have a decrease of 20% in production than the peak performance. But if tilted at an angle of 15o, the production shortfall will be just 15%. Though this change in tilt shows just a 5% gain, the gain when converted to money will be in significant volumes.

With east-facing roofs, the yield is more in the mornings. So if you are a family who consumes a good amount of electricity during the morning hours, placing panels on an east-facing roof can prove to be perfect. But for the rest of the day, the yield is very less, especially during the winter months.

 

 

Are you thinking of utilizing the rooftop of your shed for installing solar panels to produce solar power? If so, a few considerations will perhaps do you a lot of good.

For one, your shed should be structurally strong enough. The roof of the shed should be spacious enough for generating solar power. The direction the shed-top faces is vital as that will determine the amount and quality of sunlight it is going to receive in a day. Further it should be clear of shade.

Another consideration is whether you want to use the generated solar power for lighting the shed or your house? The former is pretty easy; but the latter can be more taxing and expensive.

With all the considerations above , if you feel your shed rooftop is ideal for solar power generation, the easiest way to do so is by purchasing a solar panel kit for your shed.

With the huge varieties available in the market, we have chosen a few from the best for your convenience and consideration:

1) ECO-WORTHY 1KW Complete Solar Panel Kit with Battery and Inverter for Homes House Shed Farm

ECO-WORTHY 1KW Complete Solar Panel Kit with Battery and Inverter for Homes House Shed Farm

The solar panel kit from the house of ECO-WORTHY has a daily output of 4kwh which may vary depending on the availability of sunlight thus supplying off-the-grid power so useful for the functioning of the electronic gadgets.

The package includes 1 pc 6-string combiner box, 1 pc 60A charge controller, 2 pcs 16.4’ 12AWG solar cable, 6 pcs 160W solar panel, 1 pc 3.5KW Inverter with Remote controller & 6.5’ cable, 2 pcs 100AH battery with cords and 6 sets  Mounting Bracket. Each 160W mono solar panel has an output power of 160W, nominal voltage – 18V, peak voltage – 21.2V and peak current – 8.89 Amps.

ECO-WORTHY-800-Watts-Solar-Panel

Setting up the kit is pretty easy. The kit can be utilized as a backup power for isolated cabins, sheds, garages and off grid shops and also for charging batteries. The combiner box with 10A fuse for each string, lightning protection and anti-backflow diodes offers safety. This box contains 6 input circuit breakers. The circuit breaker rating is 10A, protection grade IP65 and is equipped with surge lightning protection.

The charge controller has a maximum charging current of 60A, working temperature of -35oC to 75oC and a rated voltage of 12V/24V. The Pure Sine Wave Inverter has a working input of 12V DC, output volt – 100/110/120V AC and output port – 2 plugs.

This kit comes with a warranty of 1 year and the 24/7 technical support team of ECO-WORTHY will always be there to assist you. Want to check out the price of this product? Just go ahead!

2) SUNER POWER 50 Watts 12V Off Grid Solar Panel Kit

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SUNER POWER brings you this unique 50-Watt solar panel kit for different off grid DC applications like cabin, shed, gate opener and for charging 12V batteries and LED lights. The kit comprises of high-efficient, durable, poly crystalline solar cells. This variety of solar kit is practically maintenance free and easy to install. The anodized aluminum frame and a sealed junction box make the panel weatherproof and perfect for outdoor use.

The kit consists of an IP65 waterproof intelligent charge controller, 1-pc 50-Watt polycrystalline solar panel and 3-pc SAE cable kits – battery clamps, bare wire cable, battery rings and manual. The photocell control & work time setting enable you to turn on the loads at dusk and turn off at dawn without any manual work. You can set the working hours from 1 – 13 depending upon your need; thus it is efficient and practical.

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The intelligent solar charge controller having optimized charging algorithm and three-stage charge make the system work efficiently. The full protections protect battery from over discharge and overcharge, short circuit and over voltage. Thus the battery is protected for all seasons.

Each component has SAE connectors so you can connect and disconnect, plug and play easily. The 3-pc cable makes it compatible for other devices. The kit has an extended 12 months warranty and lifetime professional technical support.

This basic starter kit has waterproof solar panel making it ideal for outdoors. The aluminum frame makes it sturdy. It is economical and eco-friendly. The increased light transmitting solar glass helps the solar cells to absorb more sunlight resulting in an increase of power output by 2% – 3%. The tempered glass enables the kit to stand water and snow load thus making it maintenance-friendly. The solar cells are of great quality having higher efficiency.

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The kit is presently priced at around $90.00. If the technical specs make you feel that this is perhaps what you want, why not go through the customer reviews before making your final choice?

3) Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit

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This variety of solar panel kit from Renogy contains 100W 12 volt monocrystalline solar panel, Mounting Z brackets for RVs, Renogy Wanderer 30A PWM negative ground charge controller, Renogy 20’ 10AWG MC4 Adaptor Kit and Renogy 8’ 10AWG Tray Cables. The charge controller has been upgraded to Renogy new wanderer 30A PWM charge controller which enables you to expand the system to a maximum of 400W.

It is made of monocrystalline solar cells which have an efficiency of 21%. The negative grounding controller and battery reversed, short circuit, overloading, overcharging/discharging protection provides safety and wider off grid applications. The best output is 500Wh per day and it can completely charge a 50Ah battery from 50% in just 3 hours. But this entirely depends on the availability of sunlight.

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This kit can be used in a vehicle having negative battery on the chassis. The optimum operating current (Imp) is 5.29A. The aluminum frames are resistant to corrosion making them durable and perfect for outdoor use.

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This kit is just ideal for people debuting in solar. It is most handy for any kind of off-grid application and is beneficial in many ways including grid independence and quiet power production. This utility solar panel kit is priced around $160.00 at the time of writing. Find the current price, warranty terms and compare with similar products.

 

 

Are you planning to buy solar panels, but got confused about which type to go for? There are a lot of factors that you should take into account when buying a solar photovoltaic system for your home. One important factor that is overplayed by solar panel manufacturers is “efficiency” based on which they charge a premium.

However it is important to understand that use of the word “efficiency” here is related to “space used” and not about “energy produced”. In other words, “lower efficiency” means it requires “more space” to generate the same amount of power.

To answer the question “which type of solar panel is best for home use”, you should first understand about the three types of technology that are used to make solar panels today and their advantages: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Amorphous thin film.

Here’s the lowdown of solar panels in lay man’s term:

Monocrystalline: Being the earliest technology it is the most developed of the three technologies. As the name suggests these solar panels are created from a single continuous crystal structure. The easiest way to identify a monoctystalline solar cells is that it appears as a single flat color.

Some important factors to note about monoctystalline solar panels:

• Since this type of solar panels gives the highest power outputs, they require the least amount of space when compared to other types of solar panels.
• Another upside of monocrystalline panels is that they have a longer lifespan and so most solar panel manufacturers provide a 25-year warranty for their monocrystalline solar panels.
• However, monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive of all three.

Polycrystalline: These are made by pouring molten silicon into a square mold and allowing it to set. Thus the new material from the resulting block contains many crystals and because of which it is called polycrystalline.

Some important factors to note about polycrystalline solar panels:

• Due to the process used to make polycrystalline silicon is simpler and there is less waste of silicon compared to monocrystalline the polycrystalline solar panels costs less than mono.
• Polycrystalline solar panels need a larger surface to output the same electrical power as that of monocrystalline silicon. So if you have space shortage this is an important factor to consider for your choice of solar panels.

Amorphous: These are made by depositing a thin film of silicon onto a sheet of another material such as glass, steel, etc. The panel that is formed appears as one piece and the individual cells are not visible as in other types of solar panels.

Important factors to note about amorphous film cells:

• As mass production of these types is possible, they are cheaper than the other two types.
• These type of solar cells makes more sense where space is not an issue as they require three times the number of panels for a standard installation to achieve the same power output.

So you see, the answer to the question “which type of solar panel is best for home use” is it depends on your roof space and your budget. But there are other important factors to be considered also.

Other factors to take into account when planning your solar system:

• Size of Your Solar system: This will depend on the size of your home and your energy requirements. Use this calculator to find out how many solar panels you will need for your home and how much space they will occupy.
• Local tax benefits: On top of the 30% solar tax credit offered, there are lots of additional incentives offered by state governments and utilities. So check what are available in your state and use them to reduce the cost of your solar panels

Hopefully, this information has thrown some light on your confusion regarding which type of solar panel is best for your home and help you to make an informed decision.