Solar energy has become an increasingly popular and affordable option for powering homes and businesses, offering sustainability and significant savings on electricity bills.
In the UK, more households are embracing this green energy solution, harnessing the power of the sun to meet their energy needs. However, the key to reaping the benefits of solar energy lies in proper installation.
In this guide, we’ll explain the eight-step process of installing solar panels on your home or business, along with tips for maintenance to ensure optimal performance.
How Solar Panels are Installed?
1. Planning Phase:
Before any installation begins, careful planning is essential. Consider factors such as your home’s typology and annual energy consumption to determine the appropriate size and configuration of your solar panel system. At Sunlit Solar, we provide personalised solar system designs and recommendations tailored to your specific needs and property characteristics.
2. Site Assessment:
Solar panels are typically installed on roofs, so it’s crucial to assess your roof’s shape, orientation, and surrounding environment. Avoiding shading is essential for maximising solar energy production. If shading is a concern, optimisers can be added to enhance system performance.
3. Scaffolding and Roof Preparation:
The installation process begins with erecting scaffolding to safely access the installation area. Depending on the size of the property, this step typically takes about a day and ensures a secure working environment for the installation team.
On larger projects, this step takes longer.
4. Mounting:
Mounts are installed to support the solar panels on your roof or wall. The angle of the mounts is adjusted to optimise sunlight exposure, typically ranging from 18 to 36 degrees depending on your roof’s slant.
5. Panel Installation:
Solar panels are securely attached to the mounts, ensuring stability and optimal positioning for sunlight absorption. Proper installation is crucial to the long-term performance of your solar array. This is why it is important to hire a trusted, qualified team with years of experience installing solar panels.
6. Wiring and Inverter Installation:
Wiring connects the solar panels to inverters, which convert solar energy into usable electricity. Again, this step requires technical expertise to ensure safe and efficient electrical connections. Proper placement and ventilation of inverters are essential for optimal performance and longevity.
Sunlit Solar is a Solar Edge and Tesla Powerwall certified installer. We only use quality equipment to ensure maximum efficientcy and longevety.
7. Monitoring Performance:
Once installation is complete, the system undergoes testing to ensure proper functionality. Depending on which type of solar panels and inverter you choose, you may get access to an app where you can monitor the performance of your solar panels throughout the day. This will show you how much solar power the panels are converting and how much you are using.
8. Maintenance:
Solar PV systems typically require minimal maintenance but to maximise efficiency and lifespan of your panels, it is important to keep them clean. In the UK, rain generally cleans panels effectively if they’re tilted at 15 degrees or more. However, debris accumulation may be more prevalent with ground-mounted panels or in areas with higher airborne dust levels. In such cases, occasional panel cleaning may be necessary.
It is also advisable to monitor nearby trees and ensure they are pruned to minimise shading on the array whenever feasible.
How Sunlit Solar can help:
Solar panel installation is a complex process and is best left to trained professionals to ensure safety and efficiency. With almost 20 years of experience in solar system installation, you can rest assured knowing that your solar panel installation is in expert hands when using Sunlit Solar. We proudly hold numerous accreditations from various solar certification bodies, ensuring the highest standards of quality and expertise in our industry.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and start harnessing the power of solar energy for your home:
Phone: 01458 834 936
Email: info@sunlit-solar
Find out more: www.sunlit-solar.co.uk/