In a box, solar panels are usually arranged horizontally or vertically. Separators are usually placed between each module, and extra protection is added to each module stack’s four corners. Modules are sometimes stored in individual carton boxes before being stacked into a huge master carton box.
The box is then sealed and secured to the pallet before being wrapped in plastic film. Solar panels are then often sent by ocean on pallets that hold on average 28-30 panels, with a few extra panels placed on top in extra compact cartons, depending on order amounts.
Solar panels do not operate equally well in all conditions, but you can improve the efficiency and output of your solar system layout or array by taking proactive measures. You can get the most out of your solar investment by following a few simple steps. These four recommendations can help you maximize the output of your solar panels and save money on energy, from placing them for best power generation to qualifying for utility rebates and green energy awards.
1. Get rid of the shade: Solar panels function best in direct sunlight. Your array’s output could be drastically decreased if the sun is blocked out by a tree or another structure. Shade is especially harmful to solar panels using a “string” style of inverter, which limits the array’s output to the intensity of the weakest panel, according to Energy Sage. Even if only a tiny portion of your array is shaded, the output of the entire installation may be reduced.
Trees should be pruned or removed from the area surrounding your array. If trees cannot be removed or a component of the structure casts shade, Energy Sage recommends utilizing a microinverter or power optimizer inverter to enhance output from the array’s unshaded areas.
2. Face the Sun: When solar panels face the sun directly, they create the most energy. Solar Reviews claims that panels facing due south will receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day and have the maximum potential output. In the afternoon and early evening, a more westerly position produces more power.
What is the best way to arrange solar panels?
The general rule for solar panel placement in the northern hemisphere is that solar panels should face true south (and in the southern, true north). Because solar panels receive direct sunshine throughout the day, this is usually the greatest direction. However, there is a distinction to be made between magnetic south and real south. When a compass is used, the “south” represented is magnetic south, which points to the Earth’s south magnetic pole. Solar panels, on the other hand, must face solar or geographic south, or the direction that leads to the South Pole. By the same logic, if the solar panel is positioned in the southern hemisphere, it should face true north.
It may also be useful to have a tiny rotation away from due south, depending on how solar panels are employed. Solar panels for a residence, for example, should face somewhat south-west depending on their intended purpose. When these panels face due south, they capture more energy, but the energy is more beneficial later in the day. As a result, the solar panels are able to produce more electricity during peak hours. The panels may create more energy in the evening, when people are home and using more appliances, if they were pointed slightly south-west, in the direction of the setting Sun. The loss in total production is offset by the availability of electricity when it is most needed. During the morning and midday, most areas have enough electricity from other sources.
When solar collectors are used for heating and lighting, it is actually ideal to have them facing east, especially if they are in the form of fenestration like windows. Warming the house for the day necessitates the use of morning sunshine.
What is the best way to combine solar panels?
“Parallel Wiring” is the next method of connecting solar panels together that we’ll look at. The parallel connection is used to increase the overall system current and is the inverse of the series connection. Connect all of the positive terminals (positive to positive) and all of the negative terminals (negative to negative) on parallel connected solar panels until you have a single positive and negative connection to connect to your regulator and batteries.
When solar panels are connected in parallel, the overall voltage output remains the same as if they were connected in series, but the output current becomes the sum of each panel’s output, as indicated.
Is it possible to stack solar panel pallets?
PVpallet has claimed that it will be the first company to bring a renewable, collapsible, and robust pallet system for solar modules to market.
PVpallet is a solar module transportation management and protection system created for everyone involved in the solar module business.
From manufacture, distribution, and installation to storage and waste disposal, this shipping solution increases efficiencies and lowers costs across the whole solar supply chain. PVpallet is an alternative to wooden pallets, which have greater lifecycle costs and inefficiencies despite their inexpensive beginning costs.
The PVpallet shipping option for solar modules also has the following benefits:
PVpallet is seeking investment to assist make its pallet system for solar modules a reality for the rest of the world by 2021, as well as to help integrate the PVpallet cycle program into the industry.
Are early morning or late afternoon clouds a common occurrence?
So you’ve discovered that shading isn’t an issue and that your roof is uniformly angled on both sides. What are your options now? Although Australia is known for its variable weather, you should evaluate whether cloudy weather occurs more frequently in the morning or evening.
This will vary depending on your location and temperature, however mornings in many places (including Sydney) are more likely to be overcast. Shading, even from clouds, can limit a system’s output by up to 90%: whenever it isn’t sunny, energy production drops.
So, in terms of weather, you should attempt to install your panels on the’sunnier’ side of the roof: if you have cloudy mornings more often, the west-facing roof, and if you have cloudy afternoons more often, the east roof. To get a better understanding of which direction is sunnier, go to the Bureau of Meteorology’s website or utilize NREL’s PVWatts tool.
Are you on a time-of-use billing arrangement?
You’re undoubtedly thinking strategically about power consumption and pricing if you’re on a time-of-use (TOU) electricity bill. A west-facing solar array is usually the preferable approach to save money because most families use more electricity in the afternoon when it is most expensive on TOU billing.
In NSW, for example, electricity prices between 2 and 8 p.m. on weekdays can be as high as 45c/kWh (or more), over three times the off-peak cost of roughly 12c/kWh (usually the wee hours of the morning). If your panels are facing west, you will be producing more power during the costlier peak hours than if they were facing east.
The Reposit First monitoring app shows a time-of-use tariff schedule. Prices at the afternoon peak are higher than prices during the shoulder or off-peak periods.
West-facing may be the better option even on a flat-rate tariff
Also, keep in mind that household electricity usage peaks in the mid- to late-afternoon (read more about electricity consumption patterns). Even if your electricity price remains constant throughout the day, west-facing panels may save you money because their production peaks slightly later than a north-facing panel array.
Voltage and Amps in Series
Connect the positive terminal on the first panel to the negative terminal on the second, and so on, to wire solar panels in series. The sum of all the panel voltages in the series will be the resulting voltage. The total current, on the other hand, will be equal to the output current of a single panel.
For example, we have three 18-volt, 6-amp panels wired in series in the diagram above. Despite the fact that the output voltage is 54 volts (18V + 18V + 18V = 54V), the output current remains at 6 amps.
What It’s Best For
In un-shaded settings, solar panels connected in series are the best option. If a single panel of your series array is shaded, the entire system’s power output will be reduced. The importance of each panel in a series connection cannot be overstated.
If you need a low-amperage system, solar panels in series are also the ideal option. Multiply the voltage by the current to get the output power of a solar system. Your amperage will be lower if you have a higher voltage system. Smaller gauge wires are less expensive and easier to work with when the amperage is lower.
When wiring your panels in series, one thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to use an MPPT charge controller. MPPT charge controllers balance the voltage of the solar panels to the voltage of the battery bank without compromising power. If you utilize a PWM controller, the battery will lower the entire panel array voltage to match it, resulting in significant power loss.
What is the optimal solar panel angle?
The vertical tilt of your solar system is referred to as solar panel angle. Your solar panels, for example, would have a 90-degree angle tilt if they were perpendicular to the ground. Solar panels should be positioned to face as close to the sun as possible in order to capture solar energy more efficiently. When the angle at which the sun’s rays contact the panel surface (the “angle of incidence”) is modest, or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as feasible, photovoltaics generate electricity. As a result, the optimal solar panel angle is one that permits the panels to receive the most direct, perpendicular light.
What factors affect your optimal solar panel angle?
The optimal angle of your solar panels is affected by a variety of factors. When deciding on the appropriate tilt for your solar array, keep the following factors in mind:
Latitude
The majority of solar panels are positioned at an angle that maximizes sunlight exposure for that particular area. For the vast majority of property owners in the United States, the best angle for a solar panel installation is between 30 and 45 degrees, which is close to or equal to your home’s latitude (on a south-facing roof). You may ensure that you get the maximum average output from your solar power system throughout the year by tilting your solar panels at the same angle as your home’s latitude (which means aiming your panels at that average location).
New York versus D.C.
For instance, we analyzed data from two locations (New York and Washington, D.C.) and calculated the production levels of solar panels slanted at various degrees. What we discovered was in line with our previous research on the effects of other variables:
- Solar power offers huge savings regardless of where you reside or the angle of your roof.
- The direction your solar energy system faces has a greater impact on solar panel performance than the pitch of your roof.
- Solar panels facing south at a slant of 30 degrees provide the most electricity. Even if you tilt your roof all the way down to 5 degrees, though, production only drops by around 10%.
** Assumes a derate factor of 80%, a 180-degree azimuth, and an array tilt equal to the latitude of the location.
Existing roof design
It would be ideal if everyone’s roof was inclined at the same angle as their latitude, however each home is different, and there is no common solar panel placement map. Many roofs will have a slope of 30 to 40 degrees, allowing solar panels to be installed flush against the roof and produce enough electricity to generate attractive returns.
If you’re trying to install solar panels on a steep roof, typical racking solutions may not be able to arrange panels at the appropriate inclination. The best you can do is lay your panels flat against the roof because the steep angle of your roof may already be greater than the optimal angle for production. Low-angle roofs will also face challenges when it comes to solar panel installation, and if you want to tilt them at the best angle, you’ll need specialist racking. When panels are installed flush against these sorts of roofs, less electricity is produced, resulting in lower solar savings over time.
When installing solar panels on a flat roof, solar installers will typically utilize racking equipment to position your panels at an appropriate angle. While this permits your panels to face the sun more directly, the size of your system may be limited as a result. If you tilt panels up on a flat roof, they will shade each other until the rows of panels are spaced and staggered out on the roof. As a result, you won’t be able to install as many panels as you would if the solar panels were flush with the surface.
It’s usually ideal to have a professional solar installer install the panels on your roof, regardless of whether your roof is steep or flat, to ensure optimal production and safety. Also, if you’re not sure how solar panels might work for your home and roof type, read this article to see if you’re a suitable candidate for solar.
What are the best ways to get the most power out of your solar panels?
Every day, an increasing number of Australians choose to go solar for their energy. When you consider that many households have access to free electricity during the day, it’s easy to see why.
As panels become more affordable and abundant, rooftop solar became Australia’s second largest energy source by generation earlier this year.
However, whether you’re considering rooftop solar or are just getting used to your new electricity supply, there are a few tips and tactics to make sure you get the most out of your solar panels.
Rake it in when the sun shines
It’s no secret that solar panels only generate electricity during the day, so if you’re attempting to save money on energy, you’ll want to take advantage of as much free electricity as possible while the sun is shining. While every household’s energy needs are different, there are a few things you can do to get the most out of your electricity:
- During the day, charge your laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and then unplug at night
- Setting timers on the most energy-intensive appliances to turn them off before sunset
If you still want to use your solar-generated electricity at night, all you have to do is make sure your home is equipped with an appropriate battery. Once installed by a certified solar installer, the battery will charge with solar energy throughout the day and be utilized when solar energy isn’t accessible, such as at night.
Use one appliance at a time
The number of appliances you can use during the day will be determined by the sort of solar system you have and the amount of electricity required by your household’s appliances. You can save electricity by only using one appliance at a time.
Clean your solar panels regularly
While you don’t have to climb up onto your roof every weekend, it is critical that your solar panels are cleaned every 6 to 12 months. Dirt, fungus, and bird droppings restrict the amount of sunlight that reaches your solar panels. You should also make sure that no trees or bushes are blocking the light, as this will reduce your panels’ ability to absorb light.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should have your panels professionally inspected every two years. The key is to make sure your system has the best possibility of absorbing the most light and, as a result, absorbing the most energy into your home.
Use apps to manage your usage
Tracking your home’s energy consumption is one thing that will help you stay on top of your solar panels. Many providers, such as Powershop, have apps that can assist you with this. These apps can show you your total daily feed-in, half-hourly feed-in, and daily feed-in. With all of this data at your fingertips, you’ll be able to see when your panels are exporting the most, allowing you to improve your appliance usage.
If your system exports the most at 2 p.m., for example, you might want to put a timer on your washing machine to begin its cycle at the same time.
If you’re looking for more methods to save money on your energy bills, see our energy saving tips area. Go to our energy center or use the easy comparison tool below to find and compare energy plans in your area.
Why do solar panels need to face south?
Overall, facing solar panels south is the best option. In almost all circumstances, placing your solar panels south over any other direction will result in the largest electric bill savings and the shortest payback period.
The economics of solar are improved by facing your panels south in three ways: it optimizes solar production, it maximizes your ability to use net metering, and it maximizes your ability to use battery storage.
South is best direction to maximize solar panel output
Solar panels facing south in the Northern Hemisphere, where the United States is located, will produce the most amount of electricity conceivable.
This is due to the fact that the sun shines straight over the Equator on average throughout the year. If you’re north of the Equator, gazing south will optimize your sunshine exposure. In fact, the Sun passes across the southern half of the sky all year in all places north of the Tropic of Cancer (23.4N Latitude), which covers the whole mainland United States.
In other words, solar panels facing south in the United States will be exposed to the sun throughout the year.
During the summer solstice, the sun’s path goes directly over the Tropic of Cancer, which is roughly 23.5 north of the Equator (June 21). Because the entire continental United States is north of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun shines on us all year.