As solar power generation technology advances, electricity can even be generated inside a residential building. Indeed, residents in the UK, the US, Australia, Japan and China are now entering the new phase of installing residential PV systems. However, to install such a system is not as easy as it seems to be. There must be some problems you will meet. What are they and how to solve them? Please read the following paragraphs.
1. Do I need a construction qualification?
Before you install a solar power system at home, you need to find a team or an installer that has been approved by the law of the country. If not, you have to turn to those who have been approved and got the construction qualification. If some of you wish to install these panels yourselves, you also need to be qualified to do this job.
2. How many incentives, rebates or subsidies does the local government offer to me?
The whole world is facing serious environmental issues, and these countries have found going solar is one way out. So, they have subsidized this industry and try to boom it. According to my personal knowledge, nearly all the countries that go solar have subsidies, rebates or incentives, while their standards are different. In Suzhou, China, if you decide to go solar, the local government will offer you 0.4 yuan for each kWh of electricity your system generates. In other regions there must be more or less subsidies. The system is beneficial, but if you are still not clear about this, you have to phone related companies or contractors to make clear of this so that you will not feel regretted after installing the system.
3. How much does a PV system cost on earth?
This is a tricky question, for different sizes of solar power systems have different prices. A big house with more solar panels and a higher watt solar inverter costs more money than a small house which doesn’t need so many panels and such an inverter. But a typical 5 kW system can cost up to 40,000 dollars. Certainly this is just a reference, for different countries have different prices of panels and inverters which are components of this system. Also, differences are also seen even within a country.
4. How efficient is the system for my house?
Truth be told, the efficiency has so much to do with temperature and sunlight. Rich sunlight and proper temperature, more electricity will be generated, and vice verse. However, there are two key factors that decide the average efficiency. They are solar panels and PV inverters. Solar panels’ efficiency is usually about 20% or a little bit more, and PV inverters’ efficiency is usually approximately 95%. Some experts say long DC (direct current generated from the sun) and short AC (converted current from an inverter) can also help reduce efficiency losses.
5. Where do I need to install the whole system?
The system consists of solar panels, a PV inverter, cables, racking, a special meter, and other small components. But when we discuss this problem, we mainly refer to solar panels and the inverter. The panels are usually installed on your rooftop which is big enough and where sunlight is rich. The inverter is often installed in a place where the device will never be damaged and it is free of dust and moisture. Many professionals suggest you should install it in your garage or loft, while in fact it can also be installed outside your house as long as you have bought a highly qualified inverter. Also, you need to know that when the inverter works, it makes a low sound. At night when it stops working, it becomes quiet.
6. Do I need to properly maintain this system?
Yes, you do. But don’t worry, it is not a big deal. Your maintenance job will be mainly focused on the solar panels. First, you need to make sure the place where the panels are installed are not shaded too much by something such as a tree. Second, you need to clear the dust, dirt or any other polluter on the solar panels regularly. You can do it once a month or months. Or if you are a very careful person, you may also install a transparent screen for them too. If the inverter gets trouble, you just need to call the installer to solve your problem. In fact, a smart inverter will send trouble information to the installer automatically even without your notice. The truth is the inverter rarely runs into trouble.
7. How long is the guarantee of the system’s performance?
If well-maintained and protected, the system can be capable of generating electricity for about 30 years. Yet, manufacturers or suppliers usually offer you a 5 to 25 years guarantee according to how much you pay them. A solar inverter can sustain life up to 10 years or so.
With such problems solved, you must be able to decide whether you should buy such a system, how to maintain the system and also how to properly use the system to generate electricity for your family.