Don’t Make These Two Huge Mistakes When Going Solar

When it comes to going solar, there are many mistakes a person could make. Some of these mistakes are a lot more costly than others. In this blog, we’re going to look at two of the biggest mistakes you can make when switching over to solar panels: not sizing your system correctly and confused off-grid and grid-tie. Not researching these things properly could wind up in you paying a lot more for solar than you should be, so keep reading to learn exactly why it’s important to pay close attention to your solar sizing and whether you want to be on-grid or off-grid when you invest into your solar system.

Make sure your solar system is the correct size.

Sizing a solar system is more challenging than it appears. There are many factors to assess when looking to purchase solar panels; climate, panel orientation, shading, and  natural efficiency drop are just a few variables that impact the “true” output of your system. Below are some of the variables in more detail;

Efficiency: Panels have an efficiency rating and have a 0.5-1% efficiency drop every year. Twenty years after their initial installation, your panels will be 10-20% less efficient.

Climate: Panels are tested in ideal conditions: an indoor factory with temperatures in the mid-70s. In the real world, your system can be exposed to harsher elements. High temperatures can decrease the amount of energy generated. Your location dictates how many sun hours you get. It means the amount of time the sun is in the right position to harvest peak energy. Most places get 4-6 sun hours per day, and the exact amount influences sizing.

Voltage: Inverters and charge controllers have maximum and minimum voltage input windows. Panels and batteries have a voltage rating. You’ll need the right voltage based on usage and what it requires. If you don’t have the right voltage, your system might not perform as well or could get damaged.

Battery sizing: Mismatching your battery bank with your charging source is the most common problem, specifically with off-grid system sizing. Your array needs to supply enough power to keep the batteries charged, but not to the point of being overcharged. Too much current could damage your batteries while undercharging can have an even worse effect. Certain batteries need to be brought up to full charge on a regular basis. Leaving the batteries at empty or partial charge for an extended period of time may cause them to fail prematurely.

Make sure you know the difference between on-grid and off-grid.

Solar energy generates your own energy, which means you won’t pay for power from the network. Some assume this means “going off the grid,” but this is inaccurate. In reality, most are looking for a grid-tied solar system. Here’s the distinction: your panels harvest energy, yet you need to store that for later use. If you have access to power lines, you store the energy in the utility grid. The utility company will credit you for extra power made while allowing you to pull from the grid when you need it.

Off-grid properties have no access to power lines which means off-grid systems need a battery bank to function. Batteries are needed for off-grid systems. While going off the grid means you won’t have to worry about paying a utility company, it does mean you’ll have to spend a lot more of that money on batteries.

Want to learn more about going solar and making all the right choices? Check out the HahaSmart blog to learn more!

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