The solar panel business is steadily increasing in Ontario and it is not difficult to understand why. Homeowners and commercial property owners are slowly beginning to grasp how solar energy can drastically reduce their energy costs and their environmental impact.
As a result, an increasing number of homeowners are sourcing out important information with regards to
do-it-yourself solar panel installation. The first step is to become fully educated in the various components that make up an effective solar panel kit.
Solar panels
Solar panels are divided into two categories: polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline solar cells come from a crystal that grows in multiple directions or a multifaceted crystalline material. As a result, these solar cells have a slightly lower efficiency, which results in larger individual cells and therefore come in a larger module.
Monocrystalline solar cells, on the other hand, grow from a single crystal, or one that has grown in only one direction. They are slightly more expensive to manufacture and have a higher efficiency than polycrystalline solar panels. Their modules are also smaller than those of the polycrystalline type.
Inverters
The power that comes from solar panels is available in the form of direct current (DC) energy. A solar inverter converts this energy into utility-grade alternating current (AC). This type of power is what can be found in both residential homes and commercial buildings. There are three main types of inverters: micro, power and string.
Micro Inverters: These convert DC electricity into AC electricity on a module-module basis. This allows for optimal system production in environments that are shaded or in areas where the system design with traditional string inverters is less efficient. In addition, this also allows for module-module monitoring.
Power Optimizers: These maximize the power output coming from individual solar modules as a means of ensuring that the highest performance DC power is being converted from DC to AC electricity. Generally, a power optimizer allows for module-to-module monitoring.
String Inverters: A string inverter converts DC electricity from a string of solar modules into utility-grade AC electricity. This type of electricity can either be fed directly back into the utility grid system or it can be consumed by regular household appliances and circuits.
Racking and mounting and balance of system
Once you have determined to go the solar panel route, it is important to find the correct mounting system. Depending on the structure of your home, there are various options including ground mounts and roof mounts.
A balance of system encompasses all the components of a photovoltaic (PV) system aside from the inverters and modules. These include everything from lightening protection, system grounding, cable/wire, connectors, PV tools and combiner/enclosure boxes.
Finally, an effective monitoring system will help you keep live tracking data on the functionality of your solar panel system in order to ensure it is working at its optimal capabilities.