7-Step Guide to Installing Solar Panels at Home

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 Affan Hashmi

Installing a home solar system is one of the best decisions you can make to go eco-friendly and live with an endless supply of electricity. However, if you want to go solar, you need to know how to install solar panels.

While there are a few small solar projects you can do even if you’re not a professional, for large projects, you will need to hire experts to install the panels.

Knowing how to install a solar panel will allow you to monitor your work and ensure that it meets the required standards.

Here is a step by step guide on how to install solar panels at home.

Follow these basic steps during the installation.

Step 1: Find the Best Place

Start by surveying your property thoroughly to determine the best location for installing solar panels.

Remember that just because the sun is hitting part of your roof or property doesn’t mean it’s the best place for installation. The slope and direction of the roof can affect the efficiency of the solar panel.

Therefore, choose a location where the panels are exposed to maximum sunlight for most of the day.

Step 2: Build the Platform

In the second step, the area is first prepared for placing the solar panels. You can build a platform using either metal or aluminum rails.

Next, design the mounting system keeping in mind the dimensions (length and width) of the panels. Make sure you’re building a foundation that is strong enough to withstand extreme weather.

To build the platform, you need to attach pipes from the installation point to the interior of the house, where the generated electricity will be processed.

Professional installation experts are highly recommended for this job.

Step 3: Install the Panels

The solar panels are fixed on the platform using bolts or brackets for steady and secure attachment to the base.

You can install panels alone if you feel confident enough, but we recommend hiring electricians from a solar panel installation company in Taos, NM , to do the job for you.

Installing panels can be tricky and even dangerous since you have to climb onto the roof. Be careful when installing roof panels to avoid accidents and damage.

Step 4: Wiring

You have to connect the solar modules to each other using a connector or fuse box. Ensure the wires are properly insulated to avoid power leakage. Once done, connect the external cable to the inner control panel.

The connection allows electricity to flow from the isolation switch to the charge controller and storage battery. Alternatively, this can flow from the circuit breaker to the inverter. Whether the current reaches the charge controller or inverter first depends on the type of solar system.

The cable level is very important. Hence, you should not install solar panels unless you are a qualified technician. You can hire professionals from a solar panel installation company in New Mexico as they are experienced with wiring to avoid personal injury or damage to the system.

Step 5: Ground Panel and Mounting System

The foundation of the solar module and the mounting system is very important when installing the module. It will help in the following:

Protect yourself and others from electric shock, which can be fatal
Provides protection from fires that can be caused by the system
Protect the solar components from lightning because it can cause a surge in the current
Ensure the installation has a grounding post that stays six inches off the ground.

The mounting system is made of metal and must be earthed. The control panel at home should also be grounded in case there is no earthing network.

Step 6: Connect the Electrical Components

The next step is to correctly connect the electrical components. Since the wiring is determined by the type of solar system already available, installing the parts should not be a challenge.

If the system has a battery backup, there will be numerous components to install. In this case, ensure that the connection between the control panel, the charging controller, battery, and inverter is in place. This will allow you to direct the power from the inverter to the main electrical control panel of the house.

Step 7: Test Performance

Everything must be checked again before the trial begins. The purpose of this trial is to make sure everything is working properly. When you’re done, it’s time to clean up and enjoy some eco-friendly electricity.

Benefits of Installing Solar Panels

There are several reasons why the solar system is a plausible solution.

First, solar energy is environment-friendly because it is clean, renewable, and sustainable.
Second, you are investing in renewable, sustainable, and abundant energy resources that you can transform to improve economic stability.
Lastly, solar panels are a viable way to avoid the high and rising costs of traditional energy sources. With solar power, you don’t have to rely on electric power which can be expensive and unaffordable for those belonging to humble means.

Conclusion

If you don’t have a solar system, now is the time to invest in one. These are a few simple steps that can act as a quick guide to installing solar panels at home.

Also, if this is a big project, hire expert technicians for residential solar panel system.