any businesses are looking to switch to greener energy sources to run their operations due to rising energy costs and efforts to reduce our reliance on harmful fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources produce clean energy which is free from carbon emissions. It’s a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for future generations that actively avoids adding to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Solar energy is one of the unlimited sources of renewable energy that harness the sun's power to generate electricity. The quantity of sunlight the Earth’s surface receives from the sun in an hour and a half is enough to supply the entire world's energy needs for an entire year, making solar a powerful energy source that we need to take advantage of.
Solar panel systems can help your business in many ways, such as lowering running costs by generating your own electricity and getting paid for any surplus energy your solar system provides to the national grid.
Read on to learn more about the science behind solar panels and how the solar panel design and installation process works.
The Science Behind Solar Panels
Solar panels, also known as PV panels, are often installed on the roofs of buildings or positioned in open fields. Sunlight is absorbed from the sun by the solar panels. Photovoltaic cells within the PV panels convert sunlight into electricity by producing electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field, creating a flow of electricity.
Solar Panels Features and Their Uses
Optimisers - Attached to solar panels to allow each panel to run individually to enable the greatest energy yield.
The inverter - Converts the energy produced by the solar panel into AC energy, which can then be stored, used, or exported.
The Generation Meter - Records the amount of energy the solar panel generates to monitor the performance of your PV system.
Charge Controller - Monitors the current going into batteries from solar panels to prevent overcharging batteries.
Battery Storage - The battery fitted to the solar panels stores the energy created throughout the day to be used when required.
Power Sockets - Energy produced by the panels flows directly to your power sockets allowing seamless energy connection.
National Grid - Your PV system will be connected to the national grid. In addition to benefiting from the energy provided by the national grid, you could be eligible to be paid for the solar energy you put back into the national grid, according to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The Solar Panel Design & Installation Process
Site Assessment
The process begins with an initial consultation to discuss your solar energy needs. Next, we will conduct a site survey to assess the suitability of your business for solar panel installation. The output generated by the PV system depends on the conditions of the panel location. Therefore, we will consider whether your property has the necessary conditions to create a viable output of electricity that will benefit you year-round.
Some of the considerations we will make related to the panel location - The panels must be in direct sunlight and not shaded by any nearby trees, buildings, or obstructions, as well as the pitch, direction, and layout of the roof, which could limit the amount of solar radiation the panel receives from the sun.
Solar Panel Design
After completing the consultation and assessment of your space, we’ll begin the solar panel design process to fit the PV panels to the specific dimensions of your building. We’ll discuss your PV system options with you - which panels, meters, and inverters would best serve your energy needs.
Solar Panel Installation
Once the design plans have been finalised, the installation of solar panels will take place. We implement an installation timeline that will work around your schedule to prevent any disruption to your business.
Before commencing the installation, our team of installers will have a thorough health and safety briefing to identify any risks or concerns regarding the installation process to ensure the well-being of your team members and our workers.
Step 1 - The Scaffolding
First, our team will assemble the scaffolding that allows them to move around the roof safely.
Step 2- The Roof Anchors
Roof anchors will be screwed into the rafters of the roof to create the base for the mounting system which the solar panels will be fixed onto.
Step 3 - The Main Frame
Aluminium bars will be fitted into the roof anchors and screwed in, ensuring all bars are straight and spaced equally.
Step 4 - Wiring The Solar Panels
The installer will connect the DC wiring from the panels into the building and feed them into the inverter. The cables will be covered with a protective sleeve to prevent damage and hidden underneath the panels through the roof surface.
Step 5 - Internal Connection of Inverter
While the external assembly is taking place an electrician will be inside the building completing the connection of the inverter to the premises’ electricity supply.
The consumer unit and generation meter will be installed in an agreed location next to the fuse box, during the installation, the power supply will need to be turned off temporarily. Then, the inverter board will be fitted to house the inverter, the generation meter, and the isolation switch.
Finally, once the system has been installed, the electrician will turn on the inverter and power up the PV system.
Sol PV Group
At Sol PV Group, we are passionate about providing long-term eco-friendly energy solutions to reduce your company’s carbon footprint. That’s why we offer 2-year maintenance packages with all new solar PV installations to ensure your solar panels last.
Get in touch online or call us at 01422 647817 to learn more about the benefits of solar panels for your business or book an initial consultation.
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