How To Upgrade Solar Panels
With the increase in the utilization of electronic gadgets, the demand for electricity is also increasing. This states that if you have a solar solution installed today, after 5-6 years, it won’t be able to fulfill the power requirements. After the breach of the duration, the electricity bill will increase. So in order to get the solution for the same problem, you have to upgrade your solar solution.
Why Is There A Requirement To Upgrade Your Solar System?
Gradation has various reasons; even if the system is installed just a few days back or years before, it is a mandatory part. The consumer will think about the upgrade only when the existing solar system is not meeting the level of consumption of energy. One of the reasons may also include that the grid-connected to the panels failed early. Not selecting a good quality inverter, which is used to convert DC to AC, can also be the reason. In context to which, the user may need to change the inverter of their solar system at some point in the life of the system. What things need to be considered before upgrading the panels?
Before you decide to upgrade your solar system, it’s important to check certain things so that the user can make sure the right changes.
Physical Condition Check:
It’s very important and worthy to check & collect some vital information about your solar system before stepping ahead. There are several factors that can affect the condition of the solar system that include weather, birds, dirt and many other things. On a primary basis, one should check the physical condition of the solar system carefully. The condition cracks or scratches over the glass of the panel are the major part to check.
Solar Outputs Check:
After checking the physical condition, the best to check is the track of output given by the solar system. As standard parameters, on a sunny day, the solar system generates 80% of the electricity. If less output is generated, then the system is underperforming and needs a check. The check can be made by comparing the current electricity to the previous one.
What Will You Need To Upgrade Your Solar Panel System?
The consumer can upgrade the solar system in the situation of zero issues, no matter if it is performing correctly and efficiently. The possibility can rise in case the user wants to go green and want to make the maximum utilization of solar energy. A single person in the family or the purchase of any home appliance can also increase the demand for electricity.
There are certain ways to upgrade the solar solution.
Attach additional Solar Panels:
The very first way to upgrade the solar system is by including an additional solar panel to their solar system. This can be done by the availability of free space. Installing additional panels depends not only on how much free space is available on the roof but also on how much weight the roof can handle.
Increase the Battery Storage:
Another way to upgrade the solar system can be done by adding more battery storage. This can be more helpful as the battery can act as a backup. A consumer can use it in case the prices of the component get increased in the market. If the solar setup is storage-ready (as per the instruction manual), then the editing can become an easy part. If it is not supportive (it’s usually with older solar systems), the consumer may hire a professional to add this manually or replace the whole solar system. The professionals can then make checks on the entire set-up.
How Can We Increase My Solar Panel Output
All over the world, more and more businesses are investing in commercial solar panels. Solar panels help in increasing efficiency of solar panels. Businesses were also pressurized to make utilization of renewable energy solutions so that they could reduce the involvement of carbon.
Many businesses are spending their fortunes on installing commercial solar panels. However, there are businesses that are not looking forward towards maintaining the efficiency of their solar panels during their lifetime. As a result, their panels don’t generate as much output as is required.
There are a variety of things businesses can opt to do so that they can maintain the efficiency of their solar panels. Here we have mentioned some of the ways that can be used by businesses in order to improvise commercial solar panel efficiency and obtain the best possible output of electricity.
The 3 Best Ways To Improve Solar Panel Output
1. Buy one of the more efficient solar panel models
The manufacturing of solar panels is done with the material of photovoltaic cells, and these cells help the solar system in converting solar energy in the form of sunlight into usable electricity.
2. Buy panels with High Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Cells
The principle of CPV is to focus sunlight onto an extremely high-efficiency solar cell that would be otherwise too expensive to use on a direct basis. The best traditional solar panels peak at 22% efficiency, whereas the cells used in CPV panels can reach the rate of 46% efficiency.
3. Avoid installing solar panels in shaded areas
The role of solar panels is to generate electricity from sunlight. The installation of solar in the shaded area can harm the electricity output. There are people who are not aware of the effect of installing the panels in the shade.
How Much Does Solar Panel Replacement Cost?
Putting the solar panels back on the roof will cost you about $1,300. The prices can also vary between $1,100 to $1,500.
How To Add Solar Panels On Your Roof
If you have additional roof space with good sun exposure, it’s relatively simple for you to install more solar panels on a new section of the rack. These additional panels can usually be tied to the existing string. This can help facilitate more solar capacity without any major changes to your current system. This is the ideal scenario for an upgrade, and customers who know they’ll be expanding their system can plan the initial design with an eventual upgrade in mind. However, the process of upgrades cannot always be that simple. Roof space, inverter capacity, and sun exposure can restrict the plan to expand your system. With a little creativity, however, it’s still possible to increase the size of the system.
If you’re expanding your system by a considerable amount, certain municipalities may impose limits or require further approval for extra panels. Always make sure to have a word with your solar installer about any additional permission you may need before you proceed.
When To Replace Solar Panels?
Solar panels last longer. They facilitate solar energy for at least 25-30 years with proper maintenance, regular cleaning, and within favorable weather conditions. There are most suppliers that offer a 20-year warranty on their products.
Solar panels are also prone to wear and tear and will eventually need to be replaced someday. So, how can you determine that the solar panels are torn now? The user necessarily needs to track the physical damages or defects so that they can make the analysis to replace the solar panels. Sometimes, it can also be analyzed on the basis of their energy output and performance.
Below are some of the signals that can be helpful in obtaining the to replace your solar panels:
1. Performance and output
To know if your solar panel is still working efficiently, you can measure its output and then compare it with the panel’s nominal rating and stated specifications. If you can see current and voltage displays, use these numbers to observe the performance of the solar system. Otherwise, one can also make use of a multimeter to measure the energy output.
2. Physical degradation
Weather, debris and other dust particles play an important role in the preservation of solar panels. While most solar panels use durable tempered glass for the additional security of the system, as any type of accident may cause damage to the system.
3. Solar Panel age
Solar panels can work optimally for 20 to 30 years. Beyond this, they start to deteriorate, and their output can also significantly reduce because the photovoltaic silicon material of the panel will convert light to electricity efficiently. If your 20-year-old solar panel’s electrical output is reduced, then it states that the system is asking for a replacement.
4. Discoloration or burnt marks
If you see burnt and discolored surfaces, you should consult with a solar panel expert to check the condition or workability of the system. A corroded panel lamination can result in uneven temperature distribution and a decrease in energy output.
5. Broken glass with micro fractures
Cracks or small fractures on the body of the system can be caused by extreme changes in temperature, and hailstorms can be the signals of deterioration. Improper handling, especially at the time of installation, can also lead to the occurrence of cracks. Depending on its severity, the fracture can reduce the productivity of the solar panel’s energy by at least 2.5 %.
6. Subpar or counterfeit panels
Some manufacturers try to reduce the cost of the system by any means. This low-quality, cheaper parts have lesser solar absorption and do not convert energy as efficiently as authentic products. A specialist has the capability to analyze the situation of cleaning, installing or performing an inspection for replacing your panel with genuine parts.
Can You Add Solar Panels To An Existing System?
Yes, it is possible to expand most solar energy systems, but it isn’t always cost-effective for various reasons. In some cases, adding solar panels might be a more complicated and expensive part than it may seem. This is a feasible process.
Expansion might involve modification or adjusting part of the original system. For example, if the system has a string inverter and it doesn’t have additional capacity, all you can do is a supplement or upgrade the inverter. If the system is ground-mounted, you might need to include another racking system. If the homeowner wants to add a battery bank and solar panels in addition, it might also be necessary to install a larger inverter.
How To Add Solar Panels To RV?
Here below, we have discussed how to connect your solar panels to your RV batteries to generate the electricity you require. This electricity is beneficiary for solar panels you want to install in your RV!
Solar power systems for RVs come in a wide range of sizes, so before choosing one, make sure you’re comfortable working with electrical wiring. The voltages are not dangerous for systems.
The following instructions are a high-level overview of how the components should be wired.
The following items will be included in your kit:
• A solar panel,
• A charge controller, and
• A harness of wires that includes connectors, adapters, and mounting brackets.
The utility of the battery monitor and an inverter is to turn that 12V DC power into 120V AC power.
Conclusion
There are several reasons to upgrade an existing solar installation so that it can work perfectly well. If the return on investment is attractive enough, choosing the one may be the right option for you.
If you also have the desire to increase returns, savings, or energy security, trading an existing solar system for an upgrade isn’t the only option. It may be possible to get more out of your PV installation without spending a fortune upfront.