Properly Sizing Your Solar System

When properly sizing your new solar system, you have to take several factors into account that you may not have thought about. You may think you just have to run out and buy enough panels with enough wattage and that after that you’re set, but building solar panels onto your roof is actually much more complicated than that. Things like climate, the direction of the panels, the shade on your roof, and the annual efficiency drop of your panels are all things that you may not have considered until now. This is why it’s important to do your research and have a whole picture when you’re ready to build solar, instead of just jumping in head-first and ending up with inefficient solar panels that don’t last as long as they should. Keep reading to learn more about all these factors so that when you’re really ready to install solar, you’ll have that complete picture.

Panel Efficiency Drops Yearly

When investing in solar panels, it’s important to note that they lose efficiency every year. This is why they have an end of their life cycle, which is when you’d need to buy new ones. This typically occurs around 20-30 years after you buy it, depending on which panels you get. Which is also why it’s important to do thorough research on all the types of panels available to you and to keep in mind that the cheaper the panel is, the more likely it’s going to have a life cycle that ends sooner. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, including with solar panels.

Weather and Peak Sunlight Hours

When you’re ready to install your panels, you should also be taking your climate into consideration. Panels are tested in factories with a temperature in the constant mid-70s and no natural disasters. Keep in mind what kind of weather can be expected in your area. If you live somewhere prone to things like hail, you might want to invest in a stronger, more expensive set of panels. You’ll also need to factor in the sun’s location relative to your home and where its peak hours are. This means, how many hours a day can you reasonably expect the sun’s rays to hit the panels on your roof? Once you know that, you’ll better be able to plan where on your roof to install them.

Get the Correct Amount of Voltage into Your System

Your panel will need to be designed with the right voltage levels in mind. This is because of how the voltage effects everything from the inverters to the charge controls. Not making sure the right amount of voltage is in place within your system could lead to something as serious as damaging your equipment.

Keep Your Batteries Running

Your batteries are your best storage friend. They keep the power on at night and will make it so that you’re the only one on the block with your lights still on during a power outage. However, it’s also fairly easy to mess them up. Your panels need to provide them with enough energy to keep them charged, but they also need to not be overcharging them, as this could damage them. Undercharging them for too long could also damage them. Finding the perfect balance is the way to keep your home charged all night long without damaging your batteries.

All in all, improperly setting up your solar system could lead to serious negative consequences. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to get your system properly installed with the help of professionals. Check out the HahaSmart blog to get more information on getting started with your solar lifestyle and we can help you install the perfect solar system!

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