If you've got yourself a collection of solar panels, you're most likely eager to get them put in place and charging your battery bank. Before you do, however, let's ensure you are doing it properly and safely.
When installing solar panels, the first thing you want to do is find out if they are UL certified. UL certification is a federal government manufacturing certification. UL certified solar panels have been subject to thorough safety and quality diagnostic tests. DIY solar panels, and even many professionally made ones, are not UL certified. Why is this is important when setting up solar power systems?
This is important mainly because many insurance companies will not cover fire damage attributable to solar panels that are not UL certified. Are non-UL certified solar panels unsafe? No, there is little chance of your solar panels triggering an electrical fire. We are, however, dealing with electrical power, and you can never be too cautious. So, just how should you install your panels?
How to Install UL-Certified Solar Panels
In cases where you have UL certified solar panels, or if you have the okay from your insurance underwriter for your non-UL certified solar panels, then the ideal place to mount your solar panels is on your rooftop. Should your rooftop is tilted at around a 30-degree angle and is facing a southerly direction, it is perfect for a solar panel installation. Simply buy a set of solar panel brackets and use them to secure the solar panels to your rooftop.
When you buy your mounts, bolt them to your rooftop prior to attaching them to your solar panels; otherwise, you are going to have a very difficult time mounting your solar panels. In addition, you must be sure that your solar panel mounts are bolted directly into the studs holding up your roof. This is not too difficult-just utilize a stud finder to find them. If your roof is flat, or not facing a southerly direction, you can still set up your panels there. You'll just need to use a supporting frame that holds your panels up at the proper angle and towards the sun. There are many commercial solar panel mounts that you can purchase, or you can just build your own, whichever you prefer.
Installation of Solar Panels that are Not UL-Certified
If you have solar panels that are not UL-certified, I suggest that you mount them on a freestanding base next your home. That way, in the unlikely event that they short out, there will be no risk of them catching your roof on fire. To install your solar panels in this manner, you can choose from many types of commercially made mounts, or you can just construct your own. Since these kinds of frames are pretty simple, I suggest that you simply build one yourself. You can build your frame out of metal or wood, and in any style you like. The important thing is to ensure that it supports your panels at a 30-degree angle to the sun. If your solar panels are placed in a horizontal or vertical position, they won't operate effectively.
Wiring Your Solar Panels
If you've got more than one solar panel then you will have to wire them together. You've got two choices. You can use a parallel or a series wiring configuration. When selecting which configuration to use, you'll want to take into account two points. First, your total power output will not be changed by either wiring style. Second, wiring your solar panels in parallel a configuration raises the amperage of your solar power system. Wiring your solar panels utilizing a series configuration, on the other hand, will increase your system's total voltage. Which wiring configuration you ultimately choose will depend on what you are intending to charge with your solar panels. If you are planning to charge 12-volt battery packs, for instance, you will want to make certain that your total voltage productivity is 12 to 18 volts.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")