How to Build a Solar Panel System
Cost is a key factor for people considering whether to install solar power systems. As the technology improves and the government offers solar tax credits, the cost for installing solar power is dropping by about 3.5 percent per year, according to scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This reduction in cost and increasing costs of traditional utility-provided power are ramping up interest in these systems. Rooftop installation is most common and it doesn't take up yard space. And tying in to the existing utility grid means a steady source of power even when there's no sunshine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Solar panel array
- Chalk line
- Stud finder
- Solar panel mounts
- Drill
- Stainless steel lag bolts
- Metal flashings
- Metal rails
- 3/8" stainless steel bolts
- Electrical conduit
- Inverter
- Circuit breaker
Instructions
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1
Mark the location on the roof where you will install your array. Install your solar panels to face the equator to maximize the effectiveness of the array; in the Northern Hemisphere, this means facing the array towards the south. Consult your state or local government or a solar cell manufacturer for assistance in designing your array.
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2
Locate the studs in the roof with a stud finder and mark their locations with a chalk line.
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3
Align the solar panel mounts over the studs where they will be attached and drill pilot holes.
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4
Attach the mounts to the roof by driving stainless steel lag bolts through the pilot holes.
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5
Slide the flashing into position over the mounts, then tuck the edge underneath the shingles and nail them to the roof.
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6
Attach metal rails to the mount posts with 3/8-inch stainless-steel bolts.
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7
Install the solar panels so they form an array.
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8
Install all the wiring connections and wiring, following the manufacturer's instructions.
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9
Run the electrical conduit from last panel of the array to where the inverter will be installed, and attach the conduit to the roof.
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10
Pull the wiring through the electrical conduit.
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11
Mount your inverter and disconnect switches near the home's main electrical panel. Attach the wires from the array to the inverter and disconnect switches. The inverter converts the direct current the solar panels produce into the alternating current you use in your house. The disconnect switches allow you to turn the system off so that you can safely make repairs.
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12
Install a new circuit breaker in your main electrical panel and feed the lines leading from the disconnect switch into the electrical box through the new circuit breaker.
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Tips & Warnings
Before installing a solar panel system, conduct research to learn if it's a worthwhile investment for the location in which you live. A good starting point is the website for the United States Department of Energy, which contains some useful charts showing how much energy you can expect to generate from your solar system depending on your location. Also look for ways to reduce the energy you use, which helps maximize the investment in solar.
Install your solar system when you get a new roof installed, so you can install the roof mounts before the new roof is put on and made water tight. You don't want to install a system, only to tear it out a few years later when you get a new roof.
Contact your state or local government before installing a solar panel system. You may be required by law to hire a certified company or individual to do the installation, because of roofing or electrical codes, and building permits may be required.
Hire a certified electrician to connect the solar system to your home's electrical box and to inspect any wiring that you completed yourself, a safeguard against fires due to faulty wiring.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Paneles solares bajo el cielo azu image by Benjaminet from Fotolia.com
