How much do solar systems cost? Investing into a solar heating system will eventually pay off. A solar power plant and solar collectors will significantly reduce your energy, heating, and sanitary water heating expenses. The prices of solar system installation vary. They’re dependent on the type, capacity, size and number of collectors, whether you’d connect the solar system to a sanitary water heater and space heating, etc. You should also factor in the cost of installation of solar collectors.
Who should you entrust with solar system installation and maintenance? Send an enquiry to relevant solar energy experts in your area with reviews, free of charge and no strings attached! All you need to do is fill in the form below.
How do solar collectors power your home?
1. Cells in a solar panel absorb sunlight and generate direct current.
2. The electrical energy flows to an inverter. This converts the electricity from DC to alternating current (AC) of a certain voltage, which can then be used to power your home.
3. The sun now powers your home! Any excess electricity produced by your solar energy system can be returned to the electrical grid in return for credits on your monthly electricity bill or can be purchased back by the local electricity company.
4. At night or when there is no sun, you will take the necessary electricity from the electrical grid or from batteries (if you choose to install them).
5. Over a period of at least 30 years (the average lifetime of current solar energy systems) you will enjoy cheap electricity and save a lot of money, while producing clean and renewable energy for your home and family.
Solar cells absorb energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar panels have various characteristics. The most important to consider when choosing which type to buy are power, flexibility and aesthetics.
Solar cells produce direct current while all household appliances and equipment operate on alternating current. Solar energy systems are therefore equipped with an AC/DC power inverter that converts direct current into alternating current, thus making it suitable for home use. However, the inverter also performs other important functions, such as regulating the power of the solar panels and ensuring that the voltage of the electricity reaching your home or going back into the grid is constant.
Solar panels must be fixed securely using racking. Racking can be fitted to the rafters in the roof during construction, although it can also be attached to the existing roof. It is also possible to install racking on the ground to support the solar array.
Stabilizers are installed on the back of each solar cell to ensure that each solar module operates at an optimum level, even if an adjacent panel is in the shade or dirty. It also helps to monitor performance and efficiency, showing the performance level of each panel, and facilitating the identification and resolution of potential problems with individual panels.
After installing your solar energy system, a bi-directional meter will replace your old one-way meter. This new meter allows you to record accurately the solar energy you send back to the grid.
Solar collectors have advanced significantly both functionally and aesthetically over the last 20 years. They have three main components: solar cells, a backing sheet, and a frame. There are different versions of each of these elements available so they can be combined with each other to give a different look and a different price range.
Polycrystalline (poly) cells
Polycrystalline or poly cells are immediately recognizable thanks to their deep blue tint. Until a few years ago, polycrystalline panels dominated the market because they were significantly cheaper to produce. Nowadays, however, mono panels are cheaper and more popular. Poly panels are now most prevalent when it comes to utility-scale and commercial solar projects, where their unusual appearance is not an issue.
Monocrystalline (mono) cells
Monocrystalline panels are made of solar cells cut from a single source of silicon, which gives them their characteristic, uniform black tint. Mono panels are not only more sought after due to their stylish appearance, but they are also sturdier and deteriorate less over time. The price of mono panels has fallen sharply over the last decade, so they are now used for the majority of residential solar energy systems.
Just like a picture frame, the solar panel frame is what holds the glass sandwich, i.e. the silicon cells and the back panel, together. Solar panel frames are made of lightweight and durable aluminium and are produced in two colours: black and silver. Functionally, there is no difference between them and the choice is merely a matter of taste. Silver frames are usually used for polycrystalline panels and their price is slightly lower. Black frames are definitely the most popular choice for home solar energy systems and they go well with both polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels.
The back sheet is found beneath the silicon cells on the solar panel. Its primary function is to protect the components inside the panel, although it also affects the panel’s appearance. The sheet is usually black or white, and the majority of customers opt for a monochrome combination, i.e., a black back sheet, black frame, and black solar cells. Black solar panels generally go best with roofing materials.
Measuring solar energy production
One of the first terms you’ll need to be familiar with in order to understand and talk about solar energy production is the term ‘kilowatt-hour’ or kWh. A kilowatt-hour is a way to measure how much energy you are using and 1 kWh equals the energy you use if you keep a 1,000 watt appliance running for one hour. For example, a 100 watt bulb burning for ten hours will use one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy. If you want to know the average energy consumption of your household, in fact the number of kilowatt-hours you use each month, have a look at the figure next to ‘Consumption’ on your electricity bill.
Energy control system
To make the most of your solar energy system, it is important to know how much energy you consume in relation to the energy your system produces. An energy control system also allows you to monitor the system and ensure it is functioning at an optimal level. Most systems include an energy control system, although a power control system is equally important. Consumer habits have been shown to change with greater visibility and awareness, just as some people alter their driving style when they see how much fuel consumption increases with speed on the dashboard in front of them. Producing your own energy and making more efficient use of less of it will mean you will be able to increase your savings, and thus the value of the investment.
Solar cells produce electricity, but they don’t store it. When the power is disconnected, the system will not produce electricity without a battery. Almost all solar energy systems are connected to the national grid, which means that they send any excess electricity back to the grid. In the event of a problem with the mains electricity, your home solar energy system automatically shuts down. If the system continued to generate electricity, it could injure the utility workers who are repairing the power lines to which your system is also attached. The only way to ensure their safety is to shut down the system. If you wish to have electricity at times like this, you’ll need to add a battery (such as a Tesla Powerwall) to your system. Batteries will accumulate electricity produced by your system and you will be able to use it at night and charge the batteries during the day.
What happens to the production of solar energy on cloudy, and rainy days?
Clouds and rain
On an overcast day, you can expect a drop in energy output. However, it’s not a lost cause. Solar panels will still be able to produce some energy, even if there is no sun.
It is important to know how resistant a solar energy system is to wind and hail. Fortunately, it’s not something to worry about. These systems are specially designed to withstand strong winds and are usually tested by manufacturers in stormy conditions. Most solar collectors are certified to withstand gusts of up to approximately 200 km/h. As long as the roof remains in place, the panels will, too! In addition, the standard aluminium and glass housing containing the solar cells is completely waterproof, even during heavy rain. As far as hail is concerned, most panels are designed to withstand the impact of hailstones with a diameter of 2.5 cm.
However, the solar array or the roof can be damaged by falling trees and branches or various other things, so it’s a good job that it’s easy to remove the racking if needs be and then return it later.
Most solar panels have a 12-year-equipment warranty and a 25-year-labour warranty. A performance warranty guarantees a panel will operate at approximately 85% of its power output capacity for 25 years, which is the same as when it was first installed (the exact percentage varies from manufacturer to manufacturer). Note: After 25 years, the panels will continue to produce energy at the same rate. If the production level falls below the linear rate specified in the warranty, the manufacturer must replace the panel. The inverter also comes with a standard 12-year warranty, while the stabilizers have a 25-year warranty.
The supplier, guarantees, the types of solar modules, inverters - when investing in a solar energy system, there’s a lot to consider! There are also more and more suppliers on the market and some use very aggressive sales techniques. We hear more and more about people being misinformed about the actual costs, the projected savings, and so on. This is why we always advise you to get quotes from more than one supplier.
Below are a few useful tips on what to pay attention to when looking for a solar energy system:
1. Ensure that product specifications, services, warranties, and prices are transparent and clearly defined.
2. Get the supplier to visit your home and carry out all the necessary analyses and on-site inspections before giving you a quote.
3. Assess your current and future energy needs, talk to the supplier, and make sure that the system is not too large.
4. Check that the company is accredited to install a solar energy system.
5. Check a supplier’s testimonials and references as well as their financial performance.
6. Check out what warranties they offer.
Solar arrays are usually roof-mounted or ground-mounted. The best option for your household depends on several factors, the most important being sun exposure/shade, yard/garden size, house orientation, and roof elasticity.
A rooftop installation is a system that is fixed to the roof by means of brackets and bolts. There are three basic prerequisites for using this system.
Room:
There must be enough open, unshaded space on the roof if you choose rooftop installation. An average 4-6 kW system (16-24 panels) requires 50-100 square meters of space.
Orientation:
The orientation of the roof should be such that it receives as much sunlight as possible throughout the whole year. It is best if it is south-facing, but roofs that slope towards the east and west are also suitable. Only north-facing roofs should be avoided.
Shade:
It is necessary to see how much sunlight there is and also to check that trees do not cast shadows on the surface where the panels will be installed.
In order to install a solar array on the ground, a substructure must be made that is fixed to a concrete foundation. Cables and other equipment are dug into the ground and run to the house, which is connected to a meter. This system therefore has certain advantages and disadvantages.
1. Solar panels can be positioned so they are south-facing, meaning they have maximum exposure to sunlight.
2. Unlike the roof, space is not limited, which allows more solar panels to be installed and more electricity to be produced.
3. It’s a great solution for those who don’t want solar panels on their roof because of the aesthetics or those who live in listed buildings.
The cost of installing a ground-mounted system is higher than a rooftop one.
Solar roof tiles are not a new idea. Although we all dream of a bright future, where solar energy is fully integrated into the design and construction of houses and traditionalists have nothing to complain about, the main concern at the moment is how big the savings are that can be achieved with solar tiles. It’s a fact that, to date, solar tiles have proven to be much more inefficient than their big brothers – solar panels. In addition, a solar roof requires all the old roofing material to be stripped off and replaced, which also increases the cost of materials and labour. As a result, with a solar roof, the time it takes for any investment to pay off is much longer than for a standard solar energy system.
Solar energy systems can be incorporated into the landscape or architecture of homes and businesses in other, creative ways. For example, installing them on a carport or a veranda roof is a popular choice.
The process of installing a solar energy system can differ from supplier to supplier. Here is a typical example:
The process usually begins with your enquiry, after which you will receive a free online quote, although you can also make an appointment or call. When you contact a supplier, a consultant will offer you a lot of advice and will be at your disposal for any questions you may have. You will then arrange a meeting with the consultant, who will come to your property or to the plot of land where you will build your future home. They will carry out an analysis of the sunlight intensity, evaluate your current energy consumption, and collect any other data that may be needed. This information will be used to draw up specifications for a solar energy system adapted to your home and your exact needs, as well as to prepare a quote with a detailed explanation of installation costs and potential savings compared to the existing system. This draft plan can then be adapted as you work through things together. Once you have received a quote you are happy with and signed a contract with the supplier, your solar journey can really begin.
The supplier will take care of all the paperwork (complete documentation and obtaining any necessary permits) and will also provide all the necessary equipment. This stage usually lasts up to two months, but it may take longer. The fun part comes next. The supplier will prepare a timeline for the work and undertake a final site inspection, after which installation can begin. As a rule, installing a solar energy system takes only one day. And all this without you lifting a finger! Your solar journey will be painless. The system will produce clean energy every day, and you will be able to enjoy the financial and environmental benefits for the next 30 years.
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