“Once you got a solar panel on a roof, energy is free. Once we convert our entire electricity grid to green and renewable energy, the cost of living goes down.”
↝↝Elizabeth May
Harvesting the sun’s energy to power the whole world is no longer a distant dream. Technology has reached a stage where the Delhi International Airport now runs on hydro and solar power entirely.
If the frenzy of solar benefits has finally caught up with you, you might be wondering how to install a solar system for your home.
Now, it might seem daunting at first, but with the right information, you’ll be able to decode the ins and outs of rooftop solar installation like never before.
Dive in for details.
7 Ways to Install a Solar System For Home
With a rooftop solar system, your electricity bill is bound to plummet by about 90% of its current value. Nonetheless, as tempted as you might be, cruise through the below-listed pointers first.
They’re the golden rules that you need to follow when installing a solar system for home.
#1. Don’t do it yourself
Only professionals can install a rooftop solar system like a boss. It’s surely an easy task for them but for us, common people, installing a solar system will be a tough fight.
Many intricacies have to be taken into account: the tilt angle and condition of the rooftop, the space available, the right modules, et cetera.
Professionals have all these metrics sorted. Besides, installing solar is a one-time investment. So, why not do it right?
#2. Demand a rooftop inspection
Demand rooftop evaluation before anything else.
Trusted solar installers will always send their solar experts to your house to inspect the rooftop on their own. A rooftop inspection is very important because of the following reasons.
- Every 1 KW solar system requires 100 square feet of space for installation. And not to forget shadow-free space. Therefore, when experts carry out an inspection, this is the first thing that they check.
- A solar system for home will produce power as promised only if the panels will face their true South. India lies in the Northern hemisphere; hence, sunlight has a special corner – the south direction.
Only when you’ll know your rooftop in the light of solar feasibility that you’ll be able to make a wise investment.
#3. Understand, the solar module is the king
Solar modules aka solar panels are not only the most visible part of a solar system, but they’re also the trigger points. It’s these panels that capture sunlight and transform it into electricity. Do we need to stress more about how important it is to choose the right panels?
The two most popular solar panels in India are monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Their efficiency varies and so does their cost.
- Poly panels have an efficiency of 16-17%
- Mono panels have an efficiency of 19-20%
Poly panels are hands down cheaper but they require more space for installation. Mono panels are a little more expensive than poly panels, but they require less space and are more efficient.
So, if you can afford them, go for mono panels when installing a solar system for home.
#4. Know that the tilt angle is as important as the direction of the panels
For people who do not know, a solar system for home produces electricity between 9 AM to 4 PM; out of these, the hours between 11 AM to 2 PM are peak hours.
Solar panels should stay nearly perpendicular to the sun during peak hours. To accomplish this requirement in the best way possible, specific tilt angles are preferred.
- The tilt angle for solar panels in south India is about 10 degrees.
- The tilt angle increases and is greater than 20 degrees as you move toward the North.
#5. Select the capacity of the solar system very wisely
A 1 KW solar system produces roughly 4 units of electricity every day.
Per se, your average monthly power consumption is between 850-900 units, the right capacity for your needs would be 7.5 KW.
A 7.5 KW solar system for home produces roughly 900 units of electricity a month.
#6. Know all the components of a solar system
It’s also wise to know the components that make a solar system for home. Here’s the list for you.
- Solar panels
- Solar inverter
- Mounting structures
- AC and DC cables
- AC and DC combiner boxes
- MC4 connectors
- Conduit trays and earthing wires
- A lightning arrestor
Professionals assemble all these components very carefully in a specific manner to set up a rooftop solar system.
#7. Be picky when choosing a solar vendor
Installing a solar system for a home will be a smooth process only when your solar panel installation company would be professional.
And how do you exactly figure it out? What are the parameters to judge whether or not a vendor is as good as they say they are?
We can tell you how. Ask yourself the following questions.
- Does the company have a league of happy customers?
- Do they offer EMI services and loan approvals?
- Do they offer free rooftop inspection services?
- Do they offer strong mounting structures?
- Do they offer after-maintenance services?
- Do they assist with the paperwork needed to go solar?
If all the answers are yes, you can be sure that you’re placing your money in capable hands.
Conclusion:
Solar is a one-time investment that will give you free electricity for decades. So make the investment with the right people and in the right products.
Keep in mind that a tier-1 solar module will produce electricity from sunlight for 25 years and after 25 years, these modules will continue to work with at least 70% efficiency.
Installing a solar system for the home is the right step – the only step – towards a sustainable future.
Here’s why!
You will have to go solar at some point in time because fossil fuels will cease to exist one day. But if you do it now, you will be able to get a subsidy.
And when you have the chance to save additional money on solar installation, why not grab it?
