What should I know about solar panels?

1) What is a solar panel?

Solar panels are technological devices, generally made of silicon, that allow us to channel solar energy and convert it into electrical energy to power a home.

2) How many types of solar panels are there? and which ones do I need?

There are two types of solar panels, to know which one is suitable for our needs, we need to know their advantages and disadvantages.

to. Monocrystalline: This type of solar panel is the longest on the market, it takes a little longer to heat up, but when it does it is very efficient, its cells can capture solar energy even in cold climates, or in cloudy or stormy conditions. Typically, these modules are recommended for solar systems located in the north.

b. Polycrystalline: This type of solar panels is newer, they have faster manufacturing and this makes their cost cheaper than monocrystalline panels, they tend to heat up very quickly and this makes them perfect for hot places with sunny climates and a lot of solar energy .

3) How many do I need? How many volts and watts do I need?

In this sense, everything is connected, the first thing we need to know is your electricity consumption, whether by looking at the electricity bill or making approximate calculations about the electronic components you have at home.
For example, 4 LED bulbs on for 4 hours consume 48W/day.
And a 24-hour refrigerator consumes 3192 W/day
Once we are clear about the energy consumption (wh), we have to see where we are going to install the panels. 12V systems are used for RVs, boats, and very small installations. For low consumption homes, weekends, cabins, 24 V systems and for regular use homes, houses, chalets, 48 ​​V systems
The number of panels results from how many Wh we need. If we need 1980Wh, we need 6 330W panels.

4) How can they be connected?

At Wccsolar we recommend that solar installations, no matter how simple they may seem, always be carried out by qualified professionals.

Parallel Connection

The intensity increases and the tension is the same.

If we connect 3 solar panels with a voltage of 12v and an intensity of 8,2 A, when put in parallel, the voltage would remain at 12v, however the intensity would be multiplied by 3, that is, 12v and 24,6A would enter the inverter.

Serial connection

The tension is added and the intensity remains the same.

If we connect 3 solar panels with a voltage of 12v and an intensity of 8,2A, when put in series, the voltage would increase by three, however the intensity would remain the same, that is, 36v and 8,2A would enter the inverter.

Series-parallel connection

It is a setting that increases both voltage and intensity depending on the setting.

If we connect 4 solar panels of 12v voltage and 8,2 A intensity in a mixed way, two and two, the voltage would increase and the intensity would also increase, that is, 24v and 16,4A would enter the inverter.

5) Where do I put them and where do I direct them?

Most homes do not give us much option when choosing where our mounted solar systems will go, nor their orientation. The ideal would be to place the panels in a southwest direction with an approximate inclination of 30% to make the most of the energy. solar throughout the year.

However, at WccSolar we always recommend that the installations be carried out by professionals in the sector so that everything is perfect and there is no problem when we start using it.

Perforating Roof Structures

They are designed to be installed in a horizontal position, with the same inclination as the existing roof. Vertical installation is also possible, forming a vertical column. Designed to withstand loads such as snow and wind, made entirely of high quality aluminum, while the screws and accessories are made of stainless steel.

Sheet Sandwich Roof Structures

Special anchors for sheet metal roofs. This structure is made of aluminum and maintains the same inclination of the cover or roof where it is installed. It is a universal structure that adapts to any brand of plate. Its installation is simple and does not require technical knowledge.

Structures Flat or little inclination

Designed to be able to anchor the solar panels to the ground, whether on a flat roof on top of a building or on the ground, we have several angles of inclination to be able to adapt all the structures to the needs that arise in each case.

Supports for Motorhomes or Boat

We have supports for solar panels perfect for motorhomes, vans, boats or any surface where it is not convenient to drill. Since there is no need to make holes, and thanks to the cable gland, water entry will be prevented in case of rain or snow.

6) What type of maintenance do they have?

Solar panels have great resistance over time, but they require minimal maintenance every three or four months, or a little more frequently if they are in areas with a lot of dirt or dust, such as country houses or sandy terrain.

If the modules are not maintained every x time, they can lose up to 9% of the capacity to capture solar radiation that transforms energy that we would end up losing over time.

This maintenance is very simple, you just have to wipe it with a soft, damp sponge with a little neutral soap (since other types of soaps or chemicals could irreparably damage our solar panel). To remove soap residue, just rinse it with plenty of water and wipe it with a soft dry cloth.

Thanks to this cleaning we will be able to extend the useful life of our solar modules and help them collect all the possible solar radiation to power our solar system.