If you’re looking for a sustainable way to power your household’s energy needs, then roof solar panel installation is a good choice.
More and more Americans are putting solar panels on their homes. In fact, in 2019, the total number of solar panel installations soared over two million in the US.
Now that you’re considering solar panels for your home, you might be wondering how to install solar panels. Although there are many different types of solar power systems, the fundamentals are similar.
In this article, we are going to take a look at how professionals install solar panels on homes, from start to finish.
Pre-Solar Panel Installation Process
Before any installation of solar panels on your roof can begin, you’ll need to meet with a solar panel expert. You can find solar experts in your area at blueravensolar.com. This initial meeting allows your chosen energy expert to assess whether or not your home is a good candidate for solar energy.
Why wouldn’t your home be a good candidate for solar energy? If tall buildings or trees surround your house and block most of the sun’s direct light, the investment might not be worth the payoff. You will also have to have the correct roof pitch.
Either way, after evaluating your home’s candidacy for solar energy, the expert can tell you what you can expect. If they deem your house a good fit for solar installation, then you will get to choose which solar plan is best for your needs. Once your solar expert receives the proper permits, installation can begin.
Roof Solar Panel Installation
Rooftops are ideal spots to place solar panels because they are high-up and allow for direct sunlight. They also give solar panels a sturdy foundation to lay on. Here are the steps solar experts take to professionally install roof solar panels.
Step 1: Best Location
Pitch and direction of roof affect how well your panels will do. A solar expert will know exactly where on your roof will receive the most direct sunlight for your solar system and show you where that is. Maximum sun exposure is ideal.
Step 2: Prep Roof
After finding the best location for your panels, installers prep the roof. This means you need to fix any damaged shingles or areas with the potential for leaks.
This is especially true for any areas where the solar panels are placed. Most solar systems are engineered to last for 20 to 30 years, so the roof they’re sitting on should last just as long.
Step 3: Install Stanchions
Once the roof is prepped, the solar panel roof mount can go on. In order to do this, installers find rafters to place stanchions. Stanchions are giant screws made to hold the roof mount and solar panels in place.
Tieing into rafters with giant screws gives the mounting system the ability to withstand strong winds, or “upforce”, that could potentially rip the panels from your rooftop.
Once the rafters are found, the stanchions are placed about 4′ apart by predrilling holes first. They are then sealed with a roof sealer and flashing to ensure no water can get into your house and cause damage.
Step 4: Solar Mount Platform
The construction of the solar mount platform comes next. The mount is usually made of aluminum rails and is what holds your solar modules in place.
Depending on how many solar panels you are installing will determine the length and width of your platform. Once you have the rails bolted in place, take a tape and measure it diagonally from corner to corner on each side. If both measurements are the same, you have a “square” platform.
Step 5: Mount Solar Panels
After the platform is fully constructed, solar panels are then mounted to them. Usually, they’re mounted using bolts, brackets, or clamps. Just depends on the type of system your professional is working with.
Step 6: Wiring Your System
Solar modules are wired together using what’s called junction connectors or a fuse combiner box. Cables are then well insulated so as to avoid any power leakage and accidents. Once this step is complete, exterior wiring is connected with the interior control panels.
This connection allows the solar energy to flow from the disconnect to the charge controller, then from the charge controller to a battery bank for storage.
Step 7: Ground the System
The solar panel system is then grounded using rods that are six inches above the ground. Grounding your solar panel system protects you from fatal electrical shock as well as system fires.
It also protects your solar components against power surges from lightning strikes.
Step 8: Finish Connecting Electrical Components
After grounding is complete, all the electrical components must be connected. If your system has a battery backup then this means there will be a lot of components to connect.
All connections between panels, charge controller, solar batteries, and the inverter are then double-checked.
Step 9: The Test Run
Once the installers have made sure all connections are good, a test run is made. By monitoring the system closely, your solar expert will make sure everything is working properly.
Benefits of Hiring Professional Installers
Besides the fact that professional installers are trained experts, most solar panels come with a warranty that is only covered if installed by a licensed installer. For this reason alone, using a certified professional is a good idea.
In addition, when you go to sell your home, potential homebuyers will want to know that your system is up to code. Doing the install yourself may impact your home’s resale value in the end.
Solar Install Guide
Roof solar panel installation is becoming more common as a renewable source of energy for homes in America. With technology getting better, solar panels are becoming a more affordable option than they once were. Now that you have an idea of how they’re installed, you can make your own choice on whether they’re right for your home.
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