A

TERM PAPER

ON THE TOPIC

INSTALLTION OF
SOLAR PANEL

Submitted by:

ADEMOLA LATEEFAT OPEYEMI

2111081061

Department of
Science Laboratory Technology
Day Special
Solar Panel
A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV)
cells. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light.
The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can
be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries. Solar panels are also known as
solar cell panels, solar electric panels, or PV modules.

Solar panels are usually arranged in groups called arrays or systems. A photovoltaic
system consists of one or more solar panels, an inverter that converts DC electricity to
alternating current (AC) electricity, and sometimes other components such as controllers,
meters, and trackers. A photovoltaic system can be used to provide electricity for off-grid
applications, such as remote homes or cabins, or to feed electricity into the grid and earn
credits or payments from the utility company. This is called a grid-connected photovoltaic
system.

Some advantages of solar panels are that they use a renewable and clean source of energy,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower electricity bills. Some disadvantages are that
they depend on the availability and intensity of sunlight, require cleaning, and have high
initial costs. Solar panels are widely used for residential, commercial, and industrial
purposes, as well as for space and transportation applications

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10 steps you need to know for proper installation
▪ Analyze your electricity bill

The very first step is to analyze your electricity bill before starting the solar panel
installation process. By looking at your electricity bill, you will get an idea about
your monthly consumption in kWh. Based on this number, you will calculate
the "size" of your solar energy system as you will require a solar panel according
to your demand for energy consumption. To accurately calculate this value, it
is advisable to check the average monthly energy consumption, the average of
the last 12 months.

▪ Choice of panel model and installation company

Choosing the company that will supply and install solar energy equipment
makes all the difference in the final result. There are several options for models
and values of solar panels, which vary according to the consumer's objective,
the planned investment, and the manufacturer. Start by simulating the cost
required and the savings that can be generated. Choose a brand that exists in the
market and offers the best solution for your project, allowing you to customize
the structure for different environments.

▪ Technical and feasibility study

Before installing the photovoltaic system, a study must be carried out to assess
the structure of the building and the ideal type of equipment, according to the
consumption profile. The electrical appliances in use and the number of people
who will use the generated energy are considered. Another point evaluated is
the characteristic of the solar radiation received at the installation site, which
varies according to geographic region. From the study results, technical experts
can define the ideal equipment for the owner's objective and budget for the
acquisition.

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▪ Calculate your budget

Based on your monthly energy consumption shown on your electricity bill, you
will be able to simulate the cost of installing solar energy in your home or
business. According to your energy consumption, calculating the average cost
needed for the solar panel installation process is possible. You need to consider
the warranty, maintenance cost, and the number of panels required for the
installation process.

▪ Access to the electricity grid

Once the quantity and weight of the necessary panels and the installation area
have been defined, it is essential to evaluate the conditions of integrating the
photovoltaic solar system with the electrical network available in the property.
For the energy generated by the capture of sunlight to reach the electrical
equipment, the current generated must be conducted to the photovoltaic inverter
and converted to the consumption pattern, following the system known as on-
grid or off-grid.

▪ Facility Design, Permits, and Grant

Once the previous step has been carried out, the installer will make an
installation proposal with its respective production objectives and install solar
panels on your roof. If you accept the proposal, it would be time to request the
permits to legalize the self-consumption installation before mounting the solar
panels and find out if there is any subsidy for installing solar panels in your
community.

▪ Authorization of the energy concessionaire

For the system to be finally implemented, the energy concessionaire operating

in the region must authorize the installation in the property and its connection
to the electricity grid. The professionals appointed for this task are specialized
engineers and technicians, who use the technical study and the characteristics
of the building to request approval from the electrical distribution company.

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▪ Site inspection

It is a very important step in the installation of solar panels. First, we need to

inspect or search a site that can be used for installing solar panels. It should be
in proper orientation with the sun. Also, the site should be at a good height or
must have plain terrain.

▪ Installation of panels and converter

Once authorized by the concessionaire, the installation of solar panels can be

carried out by the selected company, based on the indicated project and the
evaluation of the solar incidence on the property. The brackets for fixing the
panels are attached to the location chosen, and the cables connecting the
converter and the distribution board are connected. It is essential that all the
material used is modern and of quality, with proper approval and certification.

▪ Dealership inspection

The last step before starting to use photovoltaic solar energy is the inspection of
the concessionaire. Technicians from the electric company go to the installation
site and make sure that the entire implementation was carried out correctly,
authorizing the start of use of the system. During the process, the meter is
exchanged or installed for a bidirectional model, which measures how much
energy will be injected into the network and consumed per day in the property,
allowing energy credits to be made available with the utility.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels can provide power for both business and residential use. In both cases,
photovoltaic panels are mounted on the roof to capture as much sunlight as possible and
create as much power.

The following are the steps in the solar system installation procedure:

▪ Installing the mount

The solar panel mounting brackets must be installed first. Roof-ground mounts or flush
mounts may be used based on the application. This foundation gives stability and
support. The orientation in which the PV panels (monocrystalline or polycrystalline)
are mounted is carefully considered.

The optimum direction to face solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere is south
because it receives the most amount of sunlight. Both east and west directions are
acceptable. The ideal direction for countries in the Southern Hemisphere is north.

The mounting framework must again be adjusted slightly. The tilt angle might be
anything from 18 to 36 degrees. Many firms utilize a solar tracker to increase
conversion efficiency.

▪ Put the solar panels in place

After that, the solar panels must be secured to the mounting structure using nuts and
bolts. The entire construction is secured adequately to ensure that it is durable and
long-lasting.

▪ Install the electrical wiring

Electrical wiring comes next. During cabling, universal connectors such as MC4 are
used since they may be used with any type of solar panel. The following sequence of
electrical connections can be made between these panels:

Series Connection: The positive (+) wire of one PV module is linked to another
module's negative (–) wire in a series connection. The voltage match with the battery
bank is improved with this type of wiring.

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Parallel Connection: In this scenario, the connections are positive (+) to positive (+)
and negative (–) to negative (–). Each panel's wiring voltage remains the same with this
style of wiring.

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▪ Connect the solar inverter to the system

The system must then be connected to a solar inverter. The positive wire from the solar
panel is linked to the inverter's positive terminal, while the negative wire is connected
to the inverter's negative terminal.

To generate power, the solar inverter is linked to the Solar Battery and Grid Input.

▪ Connect the solar inverter to the solar battery

After that, you must connect the solar inverter and solar battery. The battery's positive
terminal is linked to the positive terminal of the inverter, and the negative terminal is
connected to the negative terminal of the inverter. To store an electrical backup in an
off-grid solar system, a battery is required.

▪ Link the solar inverter to the power grid

The inverter must then be connected to the grid. A standard plug can be used to
connect to the main power switchboard. The electric board that delivers electricity is
linked to an output wire.

▪ Turn on the solar inverter

When all of the electrical cabling and connections are complete, turn on the inverter
switch on the home's main switch. Most solar inverters will include a digital display
that will show you statistics about your solar unit's generation and use.

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Avoiding Common Mistakes People Make When Installing
Solar
Many people make these mistakes in solar installation. Let's see what they are and how
you can avoid them:

▪ Purchasing Overpriced system

To avoid this mistake, the first step is to figure out how much it will cost to set up the
system of your choice. Remember that different types of solar panels differ in their
prices. Make sure you go through all the options and choose the one that fits your
budget.

▪ Not Making a Checklist of Components

To avoid this mistake, you need to create a checklist of the solar energy system's
components, which include solar panels, a charge controller, a power inverter, and a
battery.

▪ Not Knowing about System Dimensions

To avoid this mistake, you need to figure out how big of a solar system you'll need.
Add up the wattage of all the electrical devices you'll be using. Calculate the number
of hours per day that the appliances will be used.

If you follow the procedures above, you will avoid mistakes, and you will be able to
determine the required wattage, solar battery size, and wire size. Understand that proper
wire size prevents wire overheating and ensures optimal power delivery to your batteries.

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Benefits of solar panel installation for home/commercial buildings
Solar Panel Installation becomes much easier. Solar electricity is currently appropriate not
just for business buildings but also for residential ones. Although the cost of installing a
solar power unit has progressively decreased.

By following the basic guide in putting up solar electricity, you may save money by
installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system yourself with the 10 steps provided.

The following are the top 8 factors that describe the benefits of Solar
Energy:
▪ Solar energy is clean & green energy.
▪ Not dependent on other sources of Energy.
▪ Non-maintenance.
▪ Safer than Other.
▪ Renewable Energy.
▪ Electricity Bill Reduction.
▪ Maximum Usage.
▪ Technology Development

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