DIY House Interior

How to Install Solar Panels – 5 Tips to Do the Job Right

When it comes to installing solar panels there are a few things that you need to know in order to get your solar power system to work properly. There is no reason for you to spend thousands of dollars on a solar power system only to have the install go terribly wrong because of lack of knowledge.

1. Roof or Pole Mounted?
Solar panels are most commonly installed on the roof of your home. The reason that is the most common place for a panel is because it is usually the highest spot on your property which usually means it will get the best sunlight. You can place a solar panel in other places, but you will need to get a stand.

When you install a panel on the roof of your house make sure you are attaching it to the rafters and not directly into the plywood. If there is not a rafter where you are putting the solar panel then drill the panel into a 2×4 in order to get the same strength.

2. Pick the Location with the Best Solar Exposure
The best location to face the solar panel is to the South, so if at all possible face it that way. If you cannot face the solar panel in that direction then the next best directions are the East and West, never face it to the North.

3. Attach the Panel Securely
You need to have the panel fully assembled on the ground to make sure you don’t have loose pieces on the roof, this will make things easier to work with. You want to drill a few pilot holes just to make sure you don’t split the beams and then fasten your mounting hardware to the beams. Like I said before if you don’t have a beam then use a piece of wood to securely fasten the mounts on the roof. You will want to make sure the panel is raised off the roof about three to four inches because it is a proven fast that they work better and last longer if there is sufficient airflow around the panels.

4. Connect The Wiring Correctly
Now that you have the solar panel in place it is time to connect the wiring. The first thing you want to make sure is that the panel is properly grounded. Next you will need to interconnect the panels by opening the junction box on the back and connecting one cell to the next until you get to the last cell in which you will connect to the final panel to the separate array junction box.

5. Have an Electrician Check Your Work
After you have installed your solar panels then it is essential that you get a qualified electrician to check your work on the installation. An electrician can make sure that all the connections are made properly to ensure the safety of your DIY solar system.