Several factors affect how much solar energy your modules will receive. The solar powered generator capacity of your solar system depends on the angle at which the sun’s rays hit the modules. The highest performance is achieved when the rays hit at right angles or perpendicular to the modules. The further the rays deviate from the vertical, the more energy is reflected by the modules instead of absorbed. Depending on the area of application, tracked mounting systems can be used to increase the current yield by automatically positioning the system.
A photovoltaic system, also called a PV system or solar power system, should be correctly dimensioned according to the needs. PV systems are available for small roofs or as building-integrated systems with an output of a few to several dozen kilowatts up to large power plants of hundreds of megawatts.
These areas of application for solar systems:
– Detached house
– Multi-family house
– Accommodation
– Commercial industry
– Solar park
– Agri-PV
Finding the right solar system can be a bit of a challenge. There are a variety of options that can be considered such as traditional rooftop and ground-mounted systems, car shading systems, integrated concepts and alternative models such as power purchase agreements, and many more.
Energy requirement
Knowing your energy needs will give you the best chance of finding and integrating a cost-effective and efficient solar system. The size they need depends on the energy requirement.
First of all, you need to know exactly how much energy you are using and whether this consumption will increase in the future. To get the best value for money, you should try to use all the energy that your solar system can generate. So you should not feed excess electricity into the grid.
A common way to calculate your solar needs is to determine the average of your minimum daily load over a seven-day period. This gives you a good indication of the required system size. Solar systems are generally divided into three size categories. Of course, you can also use the solar panel calculator to calculate how many solar panels you need to install based on the power of the commonly used appliances in your home.
Solar systems below 30 kW
Solar systems below 30 kW are the smallest category for private and commercial systems, which can usually be carried out by private installers. This allows you to generate about 120 kWh of electricity per day and does not require the installation of a grid protection unit, which makes the system considerably more expensive.
Solar systems between 30 kW and 100 kW
Solar systems between 30 and 100 kW are medium-sized systems that are often found on apartment buildings, commercial buildings, medium-sized offices, clubs and retail stores. Unlike systems with an output of 30 kW and less, these medium-sized systems require a specialist in commercial solar systems and additional components required for the grid.
Solar systems over 100 kW
Larger office buildings, medium-sized factories and hotels are often beneficiaries of solar systems over 100 kW. These larger systems require special meters and they are associated with additional difficulties.
Solar systems over 250 kW
Plants of this size are large-scale larger solar projects, such as large solar parks, shopping malls and large factories. The typical plants in this category can even be up to 15 MW+ in size.
How do you go about determining the size of your solar system?
There are three basic steps:
– Decide how many solar panels you need
– Calculate how much roof area you have
– Make sure your roof can support the weight of the chosen system
How many modules do you need?
The number of solar panels (Take monocrystalline solar panels for example) you need depends on how much electricity you want to generate. Most systems for private households have an output of between 1 and 5 kilowatts (kW). Systems with larger capacity for commercial or industrial applications are more productive – and save more money. Therefore, you should buy the largest possible system for your home.
What are the different types of investments for the private sector or for commercial companies?
On the roof
Rooftop solar systems are among the most popular PV solar systems because they are safe to install and easy to maintain, and only minimally disrupt private and business operations during installation.
Floor mounting
Ground-mounted solar systems are a great way to turn unusable space into productive energy sources, especially if your roof structure is unsuitable for an on-roof system. Ground-mounted systems are also easy to operate and maintain.
Solar car umbrellas (car parking spaces with solar roof)
While solar panels used to be considered something to retrofit, solar panels for campers are a smart use of space that can offer multiple benefits in a single form, including providing clean energy to neighboring buildings. These systems can also be modular and adapted to any parking size.
Building integrated
Building-integrated solar systems take this smart design approach to the next level by incorporating solar energy into the architectural structure, such as replacement roofs.
Power purchase agreements and ZEV (merger for self-consumption)
If you or your company is considering a solar system, you should consider the advantages of power purchase agreements (ZEV). Instead of owning, maintaining and operating a solar system, within a ZEV you can rent your roof or façade area to the operator and simply buy the electricity that the system generates.
A ZEV (Self-Consumption Association) is a popular financing alternative for private owners or larger companies that are committed to sustainability but do not have the space or financing to install large solar panels. Basically, a financing model or a ZEV offers all the environmental benefits of solar energy, without the operational risks associated with installing and maintaining your own plant.
