Many homeowners already envisage where their solar panel system will go before they’ve even invested in it, but with a number of factors determining where this be, it could be that where you see it going, isn’t always the best place for it.
Solar panels perform at their best when positioned in such a way that they can capture as much sunlight as possible, and when you decide to have a solar system installed, these are some of the variables your installer will consider:
The amount of power required
The average home needs between 20 and 25 panels to power it sufficiently, and if you can find out how much power you’re likely to need to generate, you can get a better idea of how many panels you’ll need. How many you’ll need, will of course impact where the panels go on your property.
Simply ask your chosen installer to help you do the math and get an estimate of how many panels will be required to support your household’s electricity usage.
The orientation of the solar panels
Two factors need to be accounted for when determining what orientation your solar panels should take:
Direction – homes situated in the northern hemisphere will ideally have their solar panels pointed in a southerly direction to get the most performance out of them. Conversely, homes situated in the southern hemisphere will point the panels in a northerly direction. However, if your installer finds that your panels must be set up in an east-west orientation, while your system may produce less energy, you can still do the following to maximize efficiency:
Angle – this refers to the up and down tilt of the panels, and according to where you live in relation to the equator, your panels will need to be tilted accordingly. To help, you can search online for the optimal tilt for your panels, or ask your solar panel installer. Tilted panels are relatively maintenance free since debris and snow, for example, are able to easily slide off of them.
The weather
While it can be easy to assume that the warmer the climate, the better solar panels will perform, it’s worth noting that they actually function at their best between temperatures of 59-95°F, and that most solar panels are able to produce electricity when temperatures are below zero. This means that provided solar panels are getting plenty of sun exposure, they can work just as well in regions of the country that frequently experience colder weather.
Obstructions
It is possible for solar panels to produce electricity when exposed to indirect sunlight, but ideally, it should be direct for optimal performance and efficiency. Look at whether there are any objects that might obstruct your solar panels and prevent sunlight from reaching them effectively. Do you have large trees growing nearby, or does a neighboring building place part of your roof in the shade at certain times of the day?
If there are multiple obstructions, or a significant one, your installer may recommend a ground-mounted solar panel system.
Many factors are taken into account when deciding the optimal position for solar panels on your property, so if switching to solar is something that you’re serious about, it pays to ask a local installer to visit your home and assess its compatibility.
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