Beyond the Panel The Necessities of Solar Electricity

Choosing to go solar for your business is a simple decision. After all, who doesn’t want to produce their own energy, cut down on their carbon imprint, and reduce overall energy costs? While choosing solar is simple, business owners may need a little more information when reviewing all about solar panels and how they work. Be sure to research your options thoroughly with a solar independent engineer before making a decision.

Questions may include whether you can power your building with all solar power or a hybrid mix of energy, how your location affects your use of solar panels, and how to install and mount these power collection tools. Roof mounts generally break into three types: the roof mount, the ground mount, and fixed racks. Each rack works for a different purpose and the type and number of mounts you’ll need depends on your location specifics, which is why you’ll need to consult an expert who knows all about solar power.

So your business has decided to invest in solar panels! Congratulations! While solar electricity is gaining in popularity, not many people understand the elements needed to make a quality solar panel system useable. Since you’ve already made the decision to utilize solar electricity for your business, your next step is to determine what type of solar mounting systems work best for the environment you will be using them in.

When installing solar panels, mounting systems are an integral part of the process. Mounting systems serve the purpose of holding the solar panels in place, and protecting them from disorientation due to winds, weather, etc. They also help to regulate heat beneath the solar panels to keep them cool, and ensure that proper air circulation continues .

Solar panels are installed differently based on their geographic locations throughout the world, and that’s where understanding the different installation locations will help you to ensure the best results for solar electricity. Typically, there are three types of common mounts – the roof mount, the ground mount, and fixed racks.

Roof-mounted solar power systems consist of solar modules held in place by racks or frames attached to roof-based mounting supports, while ground mounted solar power systems consist of solar modules held in place by racks or frames that are attached to ground based mounting supports.

Fixed racks are unique as they hold modules stationary as the sun moves across the sky. The fixed rack sets the angle at which the module is held. Most of these fixed racks are set on poles above ground.

The good news is, solar panels are most often installed by companies who have been trained in installing solar panels, so knowing the specific ins and outs of the process is not a necessity, however, there are a few things that your installers will need to know in advance.

Typically, they will need to know the type of system you are requesting (ground-mount, roof-mount, etc.) the PV module that will be used the

project location, the tilt angle requested for a ground-mount system, and the type of foundation being used for a roof-mount system. If you are unsure how to answer these questions, call for a consultation.

Whether you are considering roof, ground, or fixed mounts for your solar electricity panels, consider calling your installers sooner than later, as turn around time can be anywhere from 6-10 weeks.