Before you sign any paperwork for your solar panel system, evaluating your chosen company is essential. Find out what equipment they use, if they offer warranties, and whether you can count on them for support.
The best companies conduct a site survey before designing and installing a PV system. This ensures that the solar production estimates you get are accurate.
Site Evaluation
The site evaluation process is essential to building your new solar power system. During the site evaluation, your builder will visit and review your property with you. They will evaluate the land to determine how much it will cost to get it ready for construction.
This is also an excellent opportunity to discuss your building plans and needs with the specialist. They will review the different things they’ll need to do before your new house can be built, including determining where large construction vehicles can drive and where a temporary driveway and culvert will be required.
Like solar panel installation Freedom CA, your contractor will help you determine how many solar panels you need for your home. This is usually based on your home’s hourly energy requirement in kWh over 30 days.
Panel Selection
Solar panel installation services are an investment, and it’s essential to evaluate them carefully. This involves assessing the panel material, solar inverter type, and other factors to ensure that you’re getting a system that will provide you with a good return on your investment.
The panel type you choose depends on several criteria, such as your electricity use and the budget you’re working with. You’ll also want to consider whether you’d like monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film panels.
Another factor to consider is the power tolerance of the panel you choose. This refers to how much the panel’s power output may differ from its nameplate rating.
As with any manufacturing process, some unavoidable variations can affect power output. This is why looking at a panel’s power tolerance is essential, expressed as a plus-or-minus percentage. It’s better to go with a narrower tolerance than a wider one because it gives you more confidence in your choice.
Installation
Solar panel installation is a process that includes several steps. Depending on several factors, it can take several days or weeks.
First, a solar professional will visit your home for a site assessment. They will look at the condition of your roof, make sure it can handle the weight of the panels, and check your electrical panel to see if it needs any upgrades before they install your system.
After they evaluate your home, the next step is to design the system that will work best for you. This includes determining how many panels you need to generate enough electricity for your household.
Then, the team will set up the wiring and connect a meter to track your energy output and usage. This is crucial to solar panel installation because it ensures your system works correctly and meets local codes.
Warranty
Before a solar company installs your system, it will complete an inspection. This involves evaluating your home’s electrical system and creating an interconnection plan to ensure everything is compatible with the new PV system.
Once the installation team knows your needed equipment, they will order it through their primary distributor. They will also prepare a racking report, the measurements used for mounting your panels on the roof.
The racking report should include the exact placement of each panel’s mounting holes. This will help the installer correctly position your boards in the final installation.
After installing your panels, you may need to set up a net meter, which tracks your energy consumption and output. Most companies will also install intelligent meters that run bi-directionally, allowing you to sell any excess power your system generates back to the grid. This will decrease your electricity bills and can significantly increase the lifespan of your new solar system.
