How to Install a Panel

How To Install A Panel

Solar panels are a terrific way to save energy. For people, who want to install solar panels into their homes, this article may help. Many people may think that installing solar panels is a complicated process, but this simply is not true. Anybody can easily install these panels by following the useful steps outlined below.

Determining Where To Install The Panels

The first thing that people need to do is decide where they should mount the panels. Since available space is often limited with most homes, the perfect choice is to install them onto the roof. However, if people own a lot of land, they may choose to mount them on poles instead. Where ever people decide to mount the panels, they need to make sure that the panels will have constant access to sunlight. This means that they need to steer away from mounting them near large trees, or other things that could inhibit the sun from reaching the panels. It is also crucial that people install the panels where they will get the most sun.

Preparing The Installation Hardware

When choosing hardware to install solar panels, people will want to choose pre-fabricated, mounting hardware, as it will stand up to harsh weather conditions. The foundation for the solar panels should be extremely strong. With that said, people may choose to attach the mounting hardware either to the rafters of the roof, or they can use wooden blocks spanning several rafters. They should never use the plywood sheathing of the roof, as it is not strong enough to hold the panels.

Mounting The Panels

After people have installed the mounting hardware, they can then secure the racks and railings. They should install the panels such that they are about three inches off the roof. This will allow rain and wind to flow properly beneath the panels. Once people have installed the hardware and secured the racks and railings, they can then install the panels. They will need to use restraining hardware to accomplish this. They should also be sure to connect the panels if they are installing several of them.

Proper Tilt Of The Panels

It is essential that the panels are tilted in such a way as to get the most sunlight that they can. People can easily figure this by finding out the latitude of their homes online. When they have found out their home's latitude, they need to either add or subtract 15 degrees dependent on what time of the year it is. If it is winter, they should add 15, and if it is summer they should subtract 15.

For people, who want to install solar panels into their homes, this article may help

by Kimberly Thompson, Home & Garden writer