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As subject matter experts, we provide only objective information. We design every article to provide you with deeply-researched, factual, useful information so that you can make informed home electrification and financial decisions. We have:
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To go solar, you''ll need solar panels, inverters, racking equipment, and performance monitoring equipment––at a minimum. Depending on where you live, you may also consider a solar battery.
The components of a solar panel system are pretty simple. But different product options and brands can sometimes make the equipment selection process feel complex and confusing. We''ll break down everything you need to know about solar equipment to prepare you.
You need solar panels, inverters, racking equipment, and performance monitoring equipment to go solar.
You also might want an energy storage system (aka solar battery), especially if you live in an area that doesn''t have net metering.
Your primary equipment decision is the brand and type of panels for your system. For an easy guide to comparing and contrasting the top panel brands, check out our complete ranking of the best solar panels on the market, which puts panels from SunPower, REC, and Panasonic at the top.
Some factors to consider as you weigh your options are efficiency, cost, warranty, and technology type. Solar panels will generally be categorized as one of two technologies: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both types have the same function and are made from silicon cells, but the outward appearance and price differ significantly. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient and expensive and come with a dark blue or black tint. Polycrystalline panels are a lighter blue hue, the cheaper and less efficient option.
Generating rooftop solar energy is a simple process in which solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) power that can be delivered to a home''s power system. However, most homes and businesses are wired to use alternating current (AC) power. That conversion from DC to AC is where inverters come into play, and there are several options to compare:
Also known as a centralized inverter, a string inverter refers to a single-string technology that connects your solar array to your home''s electrical panel. String inverters are the least expensive option but aren''t ideal for every situation.
They connect your panels to your home''s power infrastructure as a single unit, which means that if one panel in your system isn''t performing well due to a shading issue, your entire array''s performance will fall until that single panel recovers.
Unlike string inverters, microinverters are attached individually to every solar panel, which maximizes production for your array. In the example above, if a single panel is shaded or blocked by a cloud during the day, the rest of your solar system''s production won''t be affected because each panel has its own microinverter.
Microinverters also offer panel-level performance monitoring in your array – a huge plus for homeowners interested in closely tracking the output of each solar panel. Though they are the most efficient equipment technology option, microinverters are also expensive.
A Power optimizers are a hybrid of string inverters and microinverters.. Like microinverters, power optimizers are installed at each panel. However, they are sometimes more affordable than microinverters and are usually more expensive than string inverter systems.
Power optimizers are ideal for higher maintenance roofs with shading issues or panels facing alternate directions. Like microinverters,they offer performance monitoring for each panel in your system. Power optimizers are not inverters – they "condition" the DC power from a solar panel and then pass it onto a string inverter where conversion occurs.
Homeowners are often surprised to learn that their solar panels are not nailed directly onto their roofs but instead mounted onto solar racking equipment. Racking allows your solar installer to optimally angle solar panels for maximum performance and helps attach the array to your roof without causing damage. Solar panels will ideally face south at an angle of between 30 and 50 degrees.
The term "racking" refers to a rooftop installation. There is also mounting equipment that is ideal for ground mount solar and solar carports, which can both serve the same purpose of maximizing the angle of the panels for sunlight exposure. With ground-mount solar, you can choose between fixed and track mounts. Fixed mounts are stationary, placed at a set angle and orientation, whereas track mounts are designed to adjust and "follow" the sun during the day as it moves across the sky.
One of the best reasons to go solar is the experience of watching your electric bills diminish over time. Having a good performance monitoring system is a key interest for solar homeowners. This nifty piece of solar energy equipment reports the hourly electricity production of your solar system.
In addition to being a fun way to watch your panels power your home, monitoring systems allow you to recognize potential performance issues and ensure maximum electricity production. There are two types of monitoring systems: onsite monitors, where the system is installed with your panels, and remote monitors, where your system is tracked through the cloud and can be monitored online.
Many homeowners interested in solar want to include some form of energy storage that will allow their solar panels to offer power during nighttime and disadvantageous weather. Many states offer net metering, which allows you to use the electrical power grid to essentially store excess electricity for use later on. If you have access to net metering, you probably don''t need a battery unless you experience a lot of power outages.
Without net metering, you should get a battery to maximize your solar savings. Solar batteries, like the Tesla Powerwall, typically use lithium-ion technology and last anywhere from 10-20 years. They usually add about $10,000 to your solar panel system.
Although the physical hardware of a solar installation contributes the most to the overall cost of going solar, solar energy equipment and technology, cost less than you might think. The materials for your installation will generally only contribute 25% of the gross cost of a system. The reason: other soft costs incorporated into the overall price for solar contractors, such as advertising budgets, training certifications, and hours of labor.
Ultimately, the equipment in your installation is the primary factor over which you have direct control, which means that it is your biggest opportunity to impact your solar installation price (other than comparison-shopping on the EnergySage Marketplace, which can reduce your costs by between $5,000 and $10,000 before incentives). To help you maximize your equipment decision process, we''ve outlined three situations when making the right hardware decision can have a vital impact.
There are three critical cases when your solar equipment decision really counts:
If you live in a state that offers a net metering program, and you aren''t trying to go completely off-grid with your solar system, it probably doesn''t make sense to fork over the extra money for a solar battery. Net metering is an efficient and optimal way to store energy through the electrical grid, and solar batteries are still a relatively expensive technology. Additionally, net metering is a major incentive to go solar, to begin with, since you typically qualify for bill credits for any surplus energy that your solar panels produce.
If your roof doesn''t face south or it''s quite shady, you''ll probably want to pay a bit more for microinverters or power optimizers. If you instead have an unobstructed, large, south-facing roof, there''s no need to spend more on premium inverters: String inverters make perfect sense.
Choosing a ground mount system will add some costs to your installation––particularly if you select a system with track mounting. If your roof has no issues with sunlight exposure (especially if you live in a particularly sunny state like California, Arizona, or Florida), a fixed-mount rooftop system will probably work great. Ground-mounted systems, and track mounting, are meant for a very specific use case. They''re unnecessary for most homes.
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Installing solar panels requires proper tools and equipment to ensure a successful and efficient installation process. This article will guide you through the essential tools and equipment for a solar panel installation project. By utilizing the right tools, you can enhance your solar energy system’s safety, efficiency, and overall performance.
To begin your solar installation journey, you’ll need essential hand tools that enable precise and secure handling of components. Here are some key hand tools required for solar panel installation:
A reliable screwdriver set of various sizes and types is essential for handling screws, bolts, and fasteners during installation. Ensure you have both flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers to accommodate different screw types.
To achieve proper and consistent fastener tightening, a torque wrench is indispensable. This tool allows you to apply the correct amount of torque, ensuring that bolts and fasteners are neither under-tightened nor over-tightened.
Pliers are handy for gripping, bending, and cutting wires during installation. They provide a secure grip and help make precise adjustments as needed.
About Solar panel installation equipment
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Solar panel installation equipment have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Solar panel installation equipment for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Solar panel installation equipment featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
