7 Common Mistakes In Home Solar Installations & How To Avoid Them-
On average, it costs About $25,000 to install a residential solar system in America. Because of the high cost, it’s important to avoid mistakes in home solar installations.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, it’s important to plan ahead. Making common errors could add a lot to your solar installation costs and defeat the purpose of using the panels to save money.
The following guide will explore 7 ways to avoid mistakes in the solar installation process.
1. Too Much Energy
If your solar panels have too much energy, it’s called “overloading”. It can result in major issues such as power outages, decreased energy efficiency, and even dangerous fires.
To avoid this issue, only install a solar energy system that follows the panel manufacturer’s suggested wattage. Make sure to use the proper-sized cables for your solar panel installation as well. Cables must have sufficient insulation to prevent overloading.
Evaluate the energy requirements of your home needs by factoring in its size and decide how precisely many panels to install. Finally, review your solar system’s power consumption carefully to catch any signs of overloading.
Overload signs include things like discolored or burned wires, loud noises, and regular trips. Contacting Solar Installation Services is the best way to get an expert opinion about your energy needs.
2. Wiring Issues
Bad wiring can impact the ability of the solar panel system to perform its job correctly. Make sure to plan out the system’s design before installing panels to lower the chance of wiring issues.
Planning the design includes finding out the power requirements and choosing the right parts. You also need to match the sizes and types of wires to other parts of the solar system.
Double-check that all the system’s electrical connections are secure and not vulnerable to high temperatures or vibrations. Examine your wires for any sharp edges or corners that could harm or pierce the insulation.
If sharp edges damage the insulation, it might impact the flow of electricity. Lastly, learn and follow all local wiring codes and regulations before you start your installation.
3. Bad Angles
If you don’t get the angles of your panels right, they may never reach their full energy potential. Your panels won’t be as efficient and cause reduced energy production overall. So, won’t get as good of a return on your investment if the angles aren’t right.
You must figure out the correct angle for your panels based on your home’s geographical location and the direction it faces to prevent this error. Try to angle your panels so that they track sunlight throughout the day or install a special tracking mount.
If you mount your panels on adjustable frames, you can change their angles as needed. The sun changes its path throughout the year and adjustable frames help account for it.
Don’t install your panels by trees or other objects that create shaded areas because that would hurt energy production. Once you find the right placement and angles for your panels, securely lock them into place.
4. Improper Ground Clearance
Without good ground clearance, you leave your panels vulnerable to lightning strikes. It increases the chance of an electrical current bolting through the panel and causing equipment to fail among other problems.
Solar panel installers must always use mounting clamps to prevent this all-too-common error. Choose clamps that are at least 8 inches to add protection against lightning. Make sure to install the clamps close to the ground but not exposed to any water.
The clamps need to stay free of rain, debris, and other things that might interfere with operations. Ensure that all your panel connection cables are anchored in their appropriate channels. Don’t forget to fasten all your cables securely to the clamps.
5. Selecting the Wrong Inverter
There are a lot of choices for solar panel inverters on the market and it’s easy to pick the wrong one. The inverter’s job is to transform DC energy collected from the solar panels into usable AC energy for your house.
If you don’t choose the correct inverter, it might end up costing you a lot of money. The wrong inverter can ruin the solar system’s energy production and overall efficiency. It can even present compatibility problems that might destroy your system.
Your best bet is to work with a skilled solar panel installer to get the inverter you need. They know how to precisely pick the right-sized inverter for your solar system.
It’s usually best to go with the most up-to-date technology when choosing an inverter.
6. Poor Maintenace
If you don’t take good care of your panels, you’ll eventually run into a lot of headaches down the road. Routine solar panel maintenance helps them work to their highest potential to save you more money.
Inspect your panels for problems regularly and clean them often to get optimal energy output. Your solar panels won’t work as well if you neglect them and let dust or dirt accumulate.
Routine maintenance also protects your panels from wear and tear caused by the elements. If you don’t have time to clean your panels on your own, schedule a professional to do it regularly.
7. Not Following Rules and Codes
If you don’t follow your local regulations it might lead to warnings, costly fines, and other problems with compliance. It’s unsafe if you don’t follow local codes and rules and it might cause some home insurance providers not to cover your panels.
Remember to hire a skilled roofer to make sure your roof can hold the extra weight of the panels before installation begins. You can also consult a specialist for permitting to finish any required paperwork.
Avoid Mistakes in Home Solar Installations
Keep this guide in mind and avoid mistakes in home solar installations to protect your home and wallet! After the installation gets finished, don’t forget to clean your panels regularly to get the best return on your investment.
Take a look around the rest of our site for more solar information and other ways to improve your home.