Your guide to rooftop solar panels system

A rooftop PV system is a photovoltaic system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure. The various components of such a system include photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, solar inverters and other electrical accessories.

A Rooftop Solar Panels System has many benefits. It is a clean energy resource which utilizes the sun’s infinitely renewable energy and protects our environment. A solar system reduces electricity bills, requires minimal maintenance, works year-round and the solar panels have zero emissions. Thus, a solar system is a very attractive and clean source of power.

Here we give you a ready guide for the solar rooftop panels system:

The components of a Rooftop solar system

The following are the basic components of a rooftop solar system

• PV modules (panels)
• Mounting structures
• Inverters
• Batteries
• Charge Controllers

The life of a Roof-top solar Power System

A typical roof-top solar panels system which is designed and installed well will operate for more than 25 years. However, Solar Power plants can continue to run beyond 25 years while producing a lower output. Many Solar Panel manufacturers guarantee an output of 90% at the end of 10 years & around 80% at the end of 25 years. The basic PV module has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. They come with 25 years performance warranty and about 10 years of product warranty.

Time required for installation

If you have a normal-sized system, installation time can be less than 2-3 days but it is varies widely based on many factors like your region, how developed the solar market is around you, your own personal situation, etc. At the maximum, it can take anywhere from a week to 3 weeks (if we talk in an extreme case). As far as putting it up on your roof is concerned, the installation process is fast and pretty easy.

Who will do the installation?

Well, Rooftop solar panel installation is very popular as DIY (Do It Yourself) installation but over SolarHippo.com provides complete installation solutions where our vendors will come at your place and carry out the full installation. The installation is user-friendly and all the installation will process under the user's approvals and supervisor's observation.

Cleaning and maintenance of the modules

This has always been a myth in people's mind but the fact is cleaning the modules does not require any special expertise or equipment. Solar panels hardly require any kind of maintenance because of the absence of any moving parts. It only requires mild cleaning periodically which depends upon how much dust is there in your location. There is no significant loss of efficiency over the lifetime. Typically the recommendation is to clean off the panels once in a year or so. Here the Rain Gods come to your help; the rain can do the job for you which will somehow cause only a very slight loss in efficiency (about 5 percent) over the lifetime of the panels.

What happens on dark/cloudy days or in winters?

Though bright light is certainly better for solar panels but solar system works quite well in cloudy and cooler places. In fact, solar panels need light and not heat to generate electricity. The fact that Germany is the world’s largest solar market is a proof that solar system can flourish in cold climates. Anyone who has ever got sunburns even on a cloudy day can attest very well to the fact that clouds DO NOT block the sun’s energy.  Interestingly, solar panels show better performance in cold climate as the panel system efficiency is higher at low temperature. Additionally, the costs for conventional electricity are usually higher in cold-climate area and thus making solar power a good option even under the cloudiest skies. 

Roof repairs

It’s advisable to make any repairs prior to having a PV system installed but if a new roof is needed once the system is installed, the installer can easily disconnect, remove, and then reinstall the panels for an hourly rate. So it's easy to reinstall the solar panels without any problem

The weight of a rooftop solar panel system 

Sunlight Electric PV systems typically weigh not more than 1-2 kilograms/sq ft and most roofs can accommodate 2-3 times that amount of weight and your specific roof load capacity will be taken into account with your proposed design, so you need not to worry.

Cost of setting up a Rooftop Solar Power plant 

Well, the cost depends upon your requirements and what amount and brand of components you chose for your Rooftop Solar System. This can be broadly categorized into Battery-based & Non-Battery based systems.

Net metering

Net metering is billing mechanism that benefits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if the system is producing more power than required for home consumption the excess can be sold back to the utility in a practice known as net metering. In net metering when the system is not producing sufficient power, the home can draw power from the utility grid which was previously sent back due to excess generation.

Your next step

Simply click  https://www.solarhippo.com/browse/roof-top-solar-systems and get a solar rooftop panels system installed right away. 

If you have any other query of your own do mention in comments below or write us at reachus@solarhippo.com