Winter care for solar photovoltaic panels

Winter is coming, and that typically means snow for residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It also means shorter days, which can decrease solar production because of less sunlight exposure. Don’t let snow build up and further hinder the production of your solar photovoltaic panels.

To remove snow from your solar photovoltaic panels easily, use a long, soft-edged tool to reach up onto the roof. Be sure the tool you use is not metal or another hard material which might hurt the panels For example, these sorts of tools would work perfectly and not cause damage to your panels:

• Brooms with soft bristles
• Squeegees

Snow isn't a danger to your solar panels. In fact, if you leave it alone, the sunlight we do get will melt it right off. If you find that the snow isn't moving off the panels on a sunny day, you can clear a small portion of the panel to allow sunlight to be absorbed to start generating power which will then cause the snow to loosen.

Removing a small portion of snow from the bottom of the solar photovoltaic panels will allow sunlight and gravity to do the rest of the work for you. Once the panels begin to warm up, the snow should slide right off. You may want to use that tool to clear any snow buildup from your gutters or equipment and walkways on the ground below.

If you have questions about winter care for your home’s solar photovoltaic panels, give us a call! The experts at Smith Sustainable Design are happy to advise you on the proper way to clear snow and keep your panels safe all winter long.

The benefits of choosing microinverters for your solar module

There are many components which make up your solar power installation. Choosing quality components which will help you maximize the power generated by your solar modules will be a great benefit to your home. Inverters are a crucial component which convert the direct current generated by the panels into alternating current which you can use for electrical power inside your home. There are a few types of inverters available, but a good choice for your residential solar modules is a microinverter.

Choosing microinverters can help you achieve a good return on your solar investment. They offer very high efficiency to help you generate the most power from your solar modules. They also offer an excellent warranty term of 10 years (or more depending on the manufacturer and model). Below are some of the benefits of choosing microinverters for use with your system:

• Microinverters offer greater energy production over other types of inverters used in residential systems. They offer 5 to 25 percent more power generation than string inverters.
• Microinverters are installed directly on each panel, rather than one per series of panels.
• With microinverters, your solar modules will be less affected by factors that can hinder solar power generation, such as shade, temperature, and dirt.
• Microinverters help protect against the hazards created by direct current electricity. They operate at lower voltages and reduce the risk of shock and fires.
• Microinverters require less maintenance than other inverter types.
• Microinverters are able to operate in more extreme temperature ranges than other inverter types.
• A system with microinverters uses multiple inverters instead of just one. Therefore, if one is malfunctioning, it’s much cheaper to replace one microinverter versus a string inverter.
• Using microinverters offers more flexibility in solar module system design, as they can be used with nearly all panels.

Microinverters truly are a good choice for your solar module system. If you have questions about microinverters or any of the components used in a solar module installation, feel free to call the experts at Smith Sustainable Design for answers.

Photovoltaic Solar Inverters

A key element of a photovoltaic solar system is the inverter. The purpose of the inverter is to take the direct current generated by the panels and change it into usable alternating current for your home. There are different types of inverters available, so below, we’ll take a look at the options available.

Micro Inverters

A micro inverter may also be referred to as a module inverter, so don’t be confused if you hear this term instead. Individual micro inverters usually attach directly to photovoltaic solar modules, and they work to extract the power from each panel. This is a very reliable inverter option which can enhance design flexibility. Micro inverters are particularly relevant for residential systems and rooftops with complex, shaded situations.  Micro inverters are exceptionally reliable and typically come with 15 year warranty. The potential downside is their expense, and they can add cost to the overall photovoltaic solar installation.

String Inverters

The panels in grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems are wired together, creating a string of panels. This is done to increase voltage while keeping current low, simplifying wiring needs and the size of the wire needed. String inverters can be wired into several strings of panels. A string is made up of 7 to 14 panels. String inverters are widely used and usually include a warranty period of 10 years to 20 years.

Central Inverters

A central inverter is a kind of string inverter, but it is best suited for use with larger photovoltaic solar installations. In these applications, a central inverter is a better choice because they can simplify installation and offer higher efficiency versus string inverters in large application scenarios. Using string inverters in a large application can drive up installation costs, whereas using central inverters can keep costs in check. 

How do solar system panels attach to a roof?

When you think of installing solar system panels, you probably picture them mounted on your roof. So how will the new panels affect your roof? If installed properly, solar system panels can actually protect your roof.

The design of your home’s roof will play a significant role in determining how and where your solar system panels will be attached. First, the system designer must consider the sunlight exposure of your roof area, as it is crucial for panels to face either south, east, or west and be free from trees or structures that can block the sunlight. Also, your roof needs to have enough space to accommodate the panels. In a typical residential installation, 300 to 600 feet of surface space is needed.

Next, the type of roofing you have and its age are considered. If your home has an older roof, it is a good idea to go ahead and replace it before installing solar system panels, as the panels will outlast the roofing material and will need to be removed and replaced when it’s time for a new roof. Composite shingle roofing is ideal for solar installations, as they aren’t as fragile and can better withstand being drilled through to mount solar panels. Tile, concrete, and slate roofs can still accommodate a solar installation, but extra care and components will be needed to protect the integrity of the roofing.

There are three types of mounts that can be used to attach solar system panels to a home’s roof:

• Direct mounts attach panels directly to the roof. We don’t recommend this mount because it doesn't facilitate airflow under the panels, which is necessary to cool them.
• Integrated mounts attach panels to roof rafters. Roofing materials will have to be removed to do so. Because of this, this mount is best suited for new construction.
• Stand-off mounts, also known as rack mounts, are most commonly used for residential systems. The racks are attached to roof supports, and panels attached to them. They promote good airflow and can be set at the proper angle for maximum sunlight exposure.