How do you determine if you need solar panels?
Solar panels are a promising way to save on energy costs and make your home more environmentally friendly. However, their installation requires a significant investment, so it is important to assess the need and feasibility. You can explore the nuances on your own, or you can contact us and we can do the analytics based on the data you provide. Here are the basic steps to help you make a decision:
- Evaluate your electricity needs.
Calculate how much energy you use on average per season (cooling in summer, heating in winter) and take into account peak loads during cold spells or heat waves. You can do this by looking at your energy receipts. If your consumption is high, solar panels can help reduce costs significantly. The most consumed and common sources are: ventilation systems, climate control systems, household and office appliances, and equipment with AC electric motors. - Research the conditions in your area.
Solar panels are most effective in areas with many sunny days per year. If you live in an area with frequent clouds or rain, their efficiency may be lower. More detailed information can be found on the internet on specialised websites.
Sample of solar radiation over Spain from https://globalsolaratlas.info - Check the orientation and accessibility of the solar panel mounting.
For maximum efficiency, the panels should be installed on the sunny side of the roof with minimum shading from trees, buildings or other obstacles. It is also necessary to specify the authorisation for the installation of solar panels. Each area of a city or town may have its own local requirements and conditions. This is important! - Evaluate long-term plans.
If you plan to live in the house for a long time, solar panels can be a good investment. But if you plan to move or your property is not regularly rented out, the investment may not be worth it. - Solar power at night.
If getting the most out of your solar panels is important to you, it may make sense to consider installing SunSynk LiFePO4(Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries. Batteries will raise the cost of the project, but you get autonomy during the hours of darkness. Batteries are charged by excess energy from the solar panels during the day, and at night they release the stored charge. - Energy conversion inverter.
The key element of a solar power plant is the SunSynk hybrid inverter. The inverter should be chosen with a power reserve and this is very important. An inverter operating at its limits will shorten its life and will be very noisy. If your house has a 3.75 kW limit from your energy supplier, it is better to install an inverter with a capacity of about 5 kW. - Get counselling at the planning stage.
Contact us to analyse your situation, provide the location of your premises and the possible installation area. We will help you to plan the installation and calculate how cost-effective it will be to install solar panels in your case.
If, after analysing all the factors, you see significant savings and benefits, solar panels are an excellent choice. If not, you may want to consider alternative ways to reduce your energy costs: switching energy suppliers, changing your tariff plan, getting subsidies.
Here’s a list of basic conditions to consider before installing solar panels.
1. Location and climate.
- Insolation: Estimate the number of sunny days in your area. The more sunlight there is, the higher the efficiency of the panels.
- Temperature: Panels work best in moderate temperatures, high heat can reduce their effectiveness.
2. The area and orientation of the roof.
- Area: Make sure the roof is large enough to accommodate the panels.
- Orientation: The optimum direction for panels in the northern hemisphere is south so that they can receive maximum sunlight.
- Tilt angle: For maximum efficiency, the tilt angle of the panels should match the geographical latitude.
3. Shadow factors.
- Ensure that the roof or installation site is not in the shade of trees, neighbouring buildings or other objects. Even partial shading can significantly reduce the performance of the panels.
4. The condition of the roof or structure.
- Check to see if the roof can support the extra weight of the panels and fasteners.
- If your roof is old or damaged, it’s worth repairing it first.
5. Legislative aspects and authorisations.
- Find out about local laws and regulations for installing solar panels. You may need a permit from the municipality.
- Make sure that the mains connection regulations are complied with (if a connection is planned).
6. Infrastructure and electrical system of the house.
- Check the condition of the existing electrical wiring.
- Decide whether you will use an energy storage system (batteries) or connect to the general grid.
7. Budget and funding.
- Determine how much you are willing to invest, including installation, equipment and maintenance.
- Check available subsidy, tax credit or rebate programmes in your area.
10. Maintenance and durability.
- Find out how often your system needs to be serviced and how it will affect your budget.
- The lifespan of quality solar panels is typically 20-25 years.
Conclusion.
If you consider these aspects, you can calculate and install an efficient and reliable solar panel system that will last a long time and save you money. Installing solar panels with a hybrid inverter and batteries is the most favourable:
- If you live in a region with good solar activity.
- You have high energy consumption or expensive electricity tariffs.
- You want to reduce your dependence on the mains power supply and increase the reliability of your power supply.
- You plan to live in the home for a long time, which will allow you to recoup your investment.
If all these conditions fit your situation, a solar system can be an efficient and long-term solution. However, for accurate calculation and equipment selection, it is better to contact our engineers and consult them.
