Photovoltaic solar systems throughout the years

Photovoltaic solar devices are used to generate electricity for homes and businesses. They absorb sunlight and an electronic process to release the electrons which are used to produce electricity for use. Photovoltaic solar technology has come a long way since its first days, and is now used to power many devices, from small electronics to large commercial operations!

The history of photovoltaic solar technology

Alexandre Edmund Becquerel first observed the photovoltaic effect in 1839, which began a trend of inquiry which continued through the beginning of the twentieth century. Bell Labs was the first company to introduce a photovoltaic solar device which could produce a good quantity of electricity- this device was released in 1954. Four years later, photovoltaic solar cells were being utilized on a small scale to power scientific and commercial endeavors.

In the 1970s, the energy crisis created quite an interest in photovoltaic solar technology. Unfortunately, the cost of equipment and electricity generation was too prohibitive for use in most homes and businesses. Developments in photovoltaic solar technology over the years have significantly reduced the cost of electricity generation, making it affordable for almost anyone to utilize. Installation prices have dropped 33% in just the last 2 years, and continue to fall still today.

Modern photovoltaic solar technology

The photovoltaic solar technology industry has grown dramatically, due to the decline in system pricing and the advances in manufacturing technology. Many nations around the globe are strengthening their energy policies and pushing for the shift from fossil fuels to photovoltaic solar and other alternative methods of energy generation, which has also helped the industry grow.

Modern photovoltaic solar products look different from their earlier counterparts. Today’s photovoltaic solar cells use crystalline silicone or a thin film as semiconductor material. Specialized multi-junction and tandem cells have been created for use in low-weight applications which require maximum efficiency- such as satellites and government needs.

Installation considerations for solar system panels

When choosing to install solar system panels at your residence or business, you need to look at the big picture. There are some issues which may affect the installation process, most of which must be dealt with before installation begins. Below are some of the items you’ll want to keep in mind before you install solar system panels.

Insurance

Installing solar system panels may require special considerations for your homeowner’s or property insurance. Many policies cover solar energy systems, but it is important to double check just to be sure. Also, roof installation of solar system panels may affect certain coverage for your roof. Check with your insurance agent about issues which could affect your coverage, such as roof penetrations which may be necessary for installing solar system panels.

Zoning

Depending on the area you live in, zoning laws may dictate where you can and cannot have solar system panels installed. To ensure compliance with local zoning laws, check with your city or county first. If you have a homeowners association, they may also require approval before installing solar system panels. Make sure to check with these organizations before planning your installation.

Permits

Cities and townships require permits for performing certain work; solar system panel installation also require a permit in your area. Permits must be obtained before installation begins. We can help you navigate the permitting process to ensure your installation is cleared by your city or township to prevent future issues.

Installing solar system panels can be a confusing process if you are not familiar with it. When you choose an experienced solar system panel installer like Smith Sustainable Design, we help you navigate the installation process to remove confusion and frustration. Our design and installation team can help you sort out necessary permits, ensure compliance with zoning laws, and inform you of the questions you’ll need to ask your insurance agent. 

Roof requirements for installing solar photovoltaic panels-Part 2

As discussed in Part 1 of this blog series, space and orientation are two important factors we consider when determining if your roof is ideal for installing solar photovoltaic panels. The other critical factors we look at are the condition of the roof and the shading of the roof space.

Condition

The condition of your roof itself is an important consideration which should be evaluated before installing solar photovoltaic panels. If your roof is fairly new, you probably won’t need to worry about replacing it before the installation. On the other hand, if your roof is 15 years old or more, you may want to think about replacing it before your solar photovoltaic panel installation takes place. Most roofing materials only last 25 to 30 years, whereas your solar energy system won’t need replacement for about 20 or more years. With an older roof, those materials won’t outlive your system and will require replacement down the road, which means your solar energy system must be taken down and reinstalled after your roof replacement.

It is also crucial that your roof can withstand the weight of the solar photovoltaic panels. They don’t weigh as much as you may think- only 3 to 5 pounds per square foot- but they can add up because multiple panels will be used. We take precautions to determine the maximum load your roof system can bear to ensure your roof and building structure will not be damaged by the weight of the solar photovoltaic panels.

Shading

Your roof can be the perfect size, have the ideal exposure, and be in excellent condition, but it won’t matter at all if the solar photovoltaic panels will be shaded! Shading from other buildings, trees, chimneys, and other rooftop equipment can reduce the performance of the solar energy system. We use special software to estimate the amount of shading your roof receives each day of the year to make sure it isn’t enough to hinder your system performance.

When planning a solar photovoltaic panel installation, we don’t just come out and begin throwing panels up on your roof. We take the time and do the leg work to ensure your roof is the right location for panel installation. Smith Sustainable Design wants to maximize the performance of your solar photovoltaic panels, and these roof check areas are the first step in doing so.

Roof requirements for installing solar photovoltaic panels - Part 1

When we have a customer interested in installing solar photovoltaic panels for residential or commercial electricity generation, we first look to the roof for suitable installation conditions. The roof of a commercial building or house is prime real estate which is perfect for these panels to sit and collect the sun’s energy for electricity generation. First we must make sure your roof has the ideal characteristics for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to ensure you’ll receive the benefits you expect of your solar energy system.

Space

One of the most obvious characteristics we look for is space. A roof must have the appropriate amount of space necessary to install the number of solar photovoltaic panels needed for your system. If the roof of the structure isn’t large enough to house the panels, they can be installed elsewhere, such as on a pole or mounted in the surrounding yard.

Orientation

It’s important that the roof’s orientation be optimal for sunlight exposure to make sure your system collects the appropriate amount of energy. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the sun moves along a southern path. Because of this factor, the ideal roof for installation of solar photovoltaic panels has a good southern exposure. If your roof doesn’t have a southern exposure, southeast and southwest exposures will work but offer about a 5% decrease in system performance versus a southern exposure.

The slope of the roof is an important factor when determining the ideal installation scenario for solar photovoltaic panels. To maximize system performance, we calculate the necessary tilt needed for your solar photovoltaic panels to capture the proper amount of sunlight. If more tilt is necessary for your roof, angled mounting brackets may be used for installation.

Space and orientation are just two of the roof factors we look at when planning to install solar photovoltaic panels at a residence or commercial location. Check out Part 2 of this blog series to learn about the additional factors: roof condition and shading.