Whether you’re installing solar panels for your home or business, these companies offer top-notch customer service and quality products. They’ll also help you understand your options for getting the most energy from your system.
A manufacturer’s warranty, workmanship guarantee, and power production guarantee protect your investment. They’ll also install your system at no extra cost and provide one-click customer support and real-time energy monitoring.
Panels
When choosing a solar company, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, including price, available incentives, local net metering policies, efficiency, brand reputation, and warranty coverage. Some solar companies, such as BlueRaven and ADT Solar, offer extensive warranties that can protect you against damage from the sun’s rays.
Other features to consider include the efficiency level and degradation rate of the panels, as these will affect your energy savings over time. A higher efficiency rating will lower your payback period and boost your energy savings, while a less efficient panel can lead to a shorter lifespan and less energy savings over time.
In addition to panels, a solar power system requires other equipment such as a charge controller and batteries. The batteries are used to store excess energy and apply it during times of low sunlight, such as overcast days or at night. Charge controllers monitor and regulate electricity flow into the battery and prevent overcharging.
Inverters
Inverters convert DC electricity produced by solar panels into 240V AC power that can run appliances and lights in your home. They also convert excess power back into DC for feeding into the grid.
They are heavy duty and innovatively designed, reducing maintenance costs and improving system efficiency. Using maximum power point tracking (MPPT), they optimize operation at panel level. They are also protected against extreme temperatures, currents and reversed polarity.
Their newest product, the 1Play TL-M, is compatible with low and high-voltage energy storage systems. Its sealed thermosyphon cooling system and modular design allow it to reduce installation, commissioning and servicing time and cost. It is easy to monitor via a web-interface or smartphone application. It is feedbacked very positively by users. and it can be used in conjunction with power optimisers or without them. It can operate in grid-tied or off-grid mode and is compatible with the IQ 7 series microinverters by Enphase. This allows you to maximize your energy savings and operate in grid-zero mode.
Wiring
A solar power system requires special wiring to transport its energy to the inverter and other components. Properly sized solar wire allows for maximum performance while remaining safe and compliant with regulations. Incorrectly sized wire can lead to overheating, increasing energy loss and risking fire.
Electrical current is the rate at which electrons move from areas of high pressure (voltage) to areas of low pressure (current). When the flow of electrons stops, the power ceases and is unable to perform work – like turning on a light.
Wiring is classified based on the conductor material and insulation. There are single and stranded wires, with stranded offering better conductivity than a single wire. Both types can be color coded to make it easier to identify the proper wire for an installation.
Installation
It is important to understand the costs involved in solar system installation before you begin. It is also a good idea to check the availability of rebates and tax cuts before making your final decision. This will help you save on your initial investment and reduce the amount of money you need to spend on maintenance.
You should also consider whether you want to buy or lease your solar system. Some companies allow you to purchase the system outright, while others require a power purchase agreement (PPA). Both options affect your upfront and long-term investment, so it’s best to evaluate the company, costs, and your responsibilities before signing a contract.
You should also install a monitoring system to track your electricity production. This will allow you to recognize potential problems before they occur, and ensure maximum electricity production from your panels. It is also a good idea to invest in an Energy Storage System (ESS), which will store excess electricity for use at any time of day.