Adding Solar Panels to a House

Solar panels harness the energy of the sun to produce power. Attaching solar panels to the home allows the resident to reduce their impact on the planet. The installation process is simple but it is expensive and time-consuming.

The attachment of the panels themselves usually doesn't take long. It only takes a few days. The purchasing, planning and consultations leading up to the installation takes weeks. Ground mounted solar panel systems and systems with battery back-up tend to take longer. This project does call for an extra pair of hands.

Even if a homeowner is knowledgeable enough to handle the installation and wiring of the panels themselves, they may still need to contact an electrician. Some solar panel systems are tied to the electrical grid. For that, a licensed electrician is needed. A licensed professional is also necessary to help plan the installation of panels.

It's a great idea for the homeowner to contact the city or local zoning authorities before beginning. There might be rules against the installation of roof-mounted solar panels in the area.

The number of panels needed depends upon how much power the house consumes on average, where the house is located in relation to the sun and how many milliwatts per square inch the solar panels produce.While most solar panels are attached to the roof, some locations might receive more power from ground mounted panels.

In a typical roof installation, holes are drilled into the roof and mounts are bolted in. To keep the bolts in alignment, the installer uses a carefully measured chalk line to get the mounts properly aligned on top of the rafters. The mounts are secured with stainless steel lag bolts. Then, metal flashing is placed over them. Metal rails are mounted with 3/8" stainless steel bolts. Finally, the panels are installed on the metal rails.

Various cables, drills and mounts are used in the process.A stud finder is also necessary, to ensure that the installer can locate the rafters of the roof before punching holes with the drill. The drill should have a pilot bit, to avoid splitting the rafters.

During the process, the installer might also apply a reflective layer of coating to the roof. Also, the panels must be connected to the house according to the National Electric Code (NEC).

If the home doesn't get enough sunlight, living "off-the-grid" year-round may not be possible. Whether or not the homeowner lives off the grid entirely depends on the type of system they choose and the location of their home.

During bad weather and during the night, solar panels don't work. Energy gathered during the day can be stored in batteries for times like this. The homeowner may decide to spend part of the year on solar power and part of the year on the grid. The initial cost of installing solar panels can be high.

Renewable energy is the future. As the 21st century progresses, the cost and efficiency of residential solar panels will improve and more homeowners will choose to undergo this process for the sake of the planet and their power bill.