Solar Panel Installation Mounting

Solar Panels are the most popular renewable energy source on the market; the number of installations being carried out has risen dramatically in recent years as people begin to understand the benefits of solar energy and how it can help reduce carbon emissions and energy bills. Installing solar panels in your home or at your business has also become a great investment thanks to the governments feed-in tariff scheme which allows anyone with photovoltaic panels to sell any unused electric back to the national grid for a cash payment. A scheme called the Renewable Heat Incentive is also being introduced in 2012 to allow anyone with solar thermal panels to receive payments in a similar way.

Aside from the obvious benefits of solar energy, there is a lot to consider with solar panel installation, mounting the panels is a crucial part of the process and there are occasions when panels may not be suitable.

Having a suitable home or business for solar panels

When looking to modify your home or business with solar panel installation, mounting the panels correctly will determine how much warm water or electricity can be generated. To be able to generate free energy, the panels will need to be in direct contact with the sun, this is especially the case with solar thermal panels which do not heat water on overcast days. A perfect roof position is 90 degrees of south, if you home is facing southwest to southeast you will have the option of installing panels on either side of a slanting roof, although this will be much costlier.

If your home or business has roof tiles, it is possible to complete install panels on top of tiles. Solar panels are of a considerable weight and you may be required to re-strengthen the roof. If you are inexperienced in construction it will be beneficial to have an expert instruct the roof. If a professional company are carrying out the installation, then a full inspection will be done as part of the service.

Available roof or wall space will also be a factor in solar panel installation. Mounting photovoltaic solar panels will require up to 30 square metres which is a lot space than solar thermal panels which only require around 5 square metres.

The angle to the horizontal of panels

Having the correct angle of panels with improve performance across the year and is an important part of solar panel installation. Mounting the panels so that angles can be changed around four times a year will help to generate the maximum possible energy. The angle of the panels to the horizontal should be set at the same as the latitude in spring and autumn seasons with a 15 degree lesser angle in summer and 15 degree increase in winter.

Many people opt for roof solar panel installation, mounting this way with mean that panels are fixed into position. In these cases it will be best to set the angle for the time of year the need for panels in greatest.