The Do’s and Don’ts of Solar Panel Installation: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Solar panels can be one of the best solutions for your home. They not only provide an uninterrupted power supply but also help in obtaining financial benefits. However, you can appreciate all the advantages of such systems only if they are installed correctly. At this stage, many owners usually have problems.

The DO’S & DON’TS of Solar Power

After all, solar systems are quite complex structures, each element of which requires a special approach. To learn the specifics of their installation, some owners use the instructions included in the kit or video materials from the Internet. However, they do not guarantee a quality result. After all, without the appropriate experience, there is a possibility of making mistakes. Familiarize yourself with them in advance so as not to have problems during the installation process.

Lack of Awareness

Every year, more and more homeowners decide to provide their homes with solar energy. This is confirmed by IEA studies. They indicate that in 2023, an increase in solar capacity of 200 GW is forecast. This confirms the growing demand for such installations and the corresponding increase in the amount of information about them. For example, you can find a lot of useful advice on the Internet now.

However, no matter how detailed the stages of the installation are described in the instructions and video materials, there is still a lot that only a professional knows. Moreover, it is easy to find such specialists. To do this, it is enough to perform a search on the Internet with the request of ‘solar companies near me’ and choose from them the one that best suits you. If you still want to install solar yourself, then you should consider the possible risks.

To set everything up correctly, you need more than just instructions and rules. This task requires basic knowledge of electrical devices and the principles of solar systems. Otherwise, the probability of short circuits, fires, and damage to the components of solar panels increases. Especially if elementary rules of handling electrical devices are violated.

Incorrect Assessment of Electricity Needs

If you decide to install solar panels, you need to calculate the annual electricity consumption in advance. This is necessary to choose designs with appropriate power indicators. In this case, they will be able to completely cover the house’s need for electricity.

If the power of solar systems does not match the level of consumption, the investment may turn out to be unprofitable. To avoid such consequences, you should contact experienced masters. They will help determine consumption volumes and choose optimal devices.

Incorrect Determination of the Area of Available Space

DIY solar panel installation is possible if there is enough space for them on the site. Structures can be placed on the roofs or the plot near the house. It is necessary to inspect these places in advance and measure the area. The obtained data must be compared with the parameters of the solar panels that you plan to purchase. The important thing is that they should not be equal.

After all, the structures have additional elements, which also require free space. For example, you should not place oversized solar systems on a narrow and compact roof. In this case, there is a high risk that they will tip over or fall. The best solution under such conditions may be installing a solar panel on the plot near the house, if there is a place for it.

An Error in the Calculation of the Solar Panels’ Size

Dimensions are an important factor that determines the effectiveness of structures for a particular house. Some owners solve this issue most simply. They calculate the amount of electricity consumption and look for solar panels that can meet these demands. However, this approach ignores other important factors that affect the amount of energy provided by devices.

Among them, you can highlight:

• geographical location;
• inverter voltage parameters;
• the presence of special mechanisms (on sale you can find designs that can move behind the sun to capture more energy during peak hours).

When choosing solar panels, you will likely make a mistake if you don’t consider these details. The consequences can be quite serious. If the required voltage level is not present, the system may fail.

Ignoring Elementary Safety Rules During Installation

In most cases, solar panels are placed on the roofs of buildings. This location itself is a risk factor for installers.

You need to be ready for the following challenges:

Even if you have experience working in such conditions, you should not ignore basic safety requirements. In the process, you will need to move long strips of panels up, and this is not so easy. In addition, you will have to work with other types of bulky equipment. To avoid unforeseen situations in the process, it is necessary to take care of the safe performance of work in advance. For this, it is worth buying special safety belts and fasteners in advance.

Neglecting Preparation for Work With Electrical Devices

Experienced electricians and solar panel technicians know what to check before installation. If you are interested in a DIY home solar system and have decided not to use the services of specialists, then you should take care of the preparation yourself.

First, it is necessary to check the condition of the cables and the general electrical network of the house. After that, you should worry about installing grounding. Another factor to check is the correctness of the connections. If at least one component is broken, short circuits and other problems may occur in the system.

Dragging Clamps and Nuts

Before figuring out how to wire solar panels, you should worry about the correct tightening of all fasteners. After all, the functionality of the systems depends on this direction. If you tighten these elements more than necessary, the wear process will accelerate and the solar panels will fail. In addition, this way you can break their frame. As a result, you will receive damage that will result in additional costs.

Conclusions

Installing solar panels with your own hands is an idea that attracts many buyers. Some of them even think about homemade solar panels. Both solutions are quite risky since it is about generating electricity and the risks associated with this process. It is about shorting and other negative consequences. Therefore, you should prepare in advance or entrust this work to professionals.