How to Add Solar Panels

Solar panels are a clean way to generate power for your home and are typically installed on your roof to receive direct sunlight to store electricity in a battery cell. When you add solar panels to your home they can generate enough electricity that you can sell the excess electricity back to your electric company. You can install solar panels by first determining how many panels you will need to power your home.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Stud finder
• Ladder
• Power drill
• Lag bolts
• Socket wrench

Instructions

1. Locate a section of your roof that receives the most direct sunlight during the day.

2. Get on your roof and measure the location for the mounting brackets using a tape measure. The mounting brackets should be placed every 2 to 4 feet along each side of the panel on top of a rafter.

3. Use a stud finder to find the location of the rafters and then set the mounting bracket in place.

4. Pre-drill holes into the rafters with a power drill. Place the power drill over the rafter and slowly begin drilling. You will need to go through a couple layers of shingles before you reach the rafters.

5. Insert a lag bolt into the bolt holes on the mounting bracket and into the holes that you drilled into the roof. Secure the lag bolts to the roof by using the socket wrench.

6. Place the solar panels on the mounts and then secure them with the mounting interface that is included with the solar panel.

7. Open the junction box on each panel and connect the electrical wires. You will need to connect one wire to the positive terminal and the other to the negative terminal.

8. Connect the solar panel to your power supply or a battery system. Follow the instructions that came with the solar panel to connect the electrical wires or hire a qualified electrician.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your electrical company to see if they have a program for buying excess electricity generated from your solar panels.

• Connecting the electrical wiring incorrectly can cause serious injury. Be sure to read and follow all safety procedures included with your solar panels. Follow all city or county building codes. Improperly connected solar panels might damage them.

References

• Tips on Installing a Solar Panel
• Solor Panel Mounts Installation Guide
• Solar Panel Installation Techniques