Solar Installation

Worldwide, more and more people are looking towards renewable energy solutions. For the average household, solar panels offer a practical way to reduce reliance on the power grid and generate electricity directly from the sun.

Solar panels generate electricity as part of a solar energy system. Those panels are typically mounted on the roof to capture as much sunlight as possible. Calgary solar panels receive sunlight most days of the year, which makes solar panels a worthwhile investment. A professional solar panel installation company can advise you on making the most of such a system.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what residential solar energy systems are and how they work. We’ll also dive into the pros and cons of such a system and whether or not it’s a worthwhile investment for you in Calgary.

Simply put, a residential solar energy system generates energy using the sun to power your home and any electrical appliance inside it. The system helps you reduce your dependency on the power grid and therefore cut down your energy bills each month.

You see, solar panels don’t work on their own. So, when you call a solar panel installation company to your home, you’re likely hiring them to install a complete residential solar energy system.

That’s why it’s essential to understand what these systems are, how they work, and how solar panels factor into them. By investing in the solar panels Calgary has to offer, you’ll save money and reduce your impact on the planet.

What Are The 3 Types of Solar Power Systems?

When households hire a solar panel installation company, they can have their solar power system set up in one of three ways:

No matter what kind of setup you choose, it’s clear that solar panels are the most crucial component in all of them. That’s why you must make sure you invest in the best solar panels Calgary has to offer.

What Components Are Needed for A Home Solar System?

There’s no doubt that solar panels are one of the most critical components in a home solar system. But, even if you invest in the best solar panels Calgary has on sale anywhere, those panels must be installed professionally to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout the day.

Still, solar panels aren’t the only part of the system. They work alongside other components like the charge controller, battery bank, and inverter.

Let’s take a closer look at how each of these components supports your solar panels and the system as a whole.

Racking doesn’t generate, store, or convert electricity in any way. However, it’s still a crucial component of the system.

Why? Because racking is responsible for holding your solar panels safely and pointing them in the correct direction.

When you engage a solar panel installation company, they’ll install racking on your roof or on the ground. Then, they’ll position the racking at the correct angles so that solar panels on them will capture as much sunlight as possible.

Solar panels work non-stop for as long as there is direct sunlight. They capture sunlight and convert it to electricity before supplying it to the rest of the system. Unfortunately, that can cause problems like voltage and current spikes and battery overcharging.

That’s why the system requires a charge controller. This component regulates the electrical current and voltage coming from the solar panels.

Doing so protects the system and any batteries connected to it.

Solar panels only function when they receive direct sunlight. At night, they stop producing electricity until the sun rises again the following day. That can be a problem, especially if your building has an off-grid solar system.

Thankfully, many solar power systems include a battery bank. These banks consist of several deep-cycle batteries that save any excess electricity from your solar panels during the day.

As a result, battery banks will have enough power to supply the system overnight when the solar panels have no sunlight to capture.

Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, which isn’t the same as the alternating current (AC) required by your household appliances. The power that comes to your house from the grid is also in AC form.

So, a solar system requires an inverter to convert the DC power from the solar panels into AC that can power your house.

Where Should Solar Panels Be Placed in A House?

Solar panels must be at a part of your house where they can capture the most sunlight throughout an average day. Generally speaking, you can mount solar panels on the ground or roof.

However, most people prefer to mount theirs on the roof, taking up less space. Plus, there’s a lower chance of any obstacles blocking sunlight from reaching those panels, like large tree branches.

A professional solar panel installation company, especially one that specializes in providing the most suitable solar panels Calgary homes require, would be able to assess your home. Then, they can find the best places to mount those panels.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for My Home?

Every home or office has different energy needs, so the number of solar panels you require will depend on your situation.

However, an average home in Calgary uses approximately 7,000 kWh of electricity annually. Therefore, assuming you use 400 W solar panels, your house may require around 15 panels to satisfy its electrical needs.

Still, it’s important to note that each situation is different. That’s why you should hire a professional solar panel installation company to assess your needs and advise you further.

Pros And Cons of Using Solar Panels in Calgary

Like anything in life, the use of solar panels comes with its fair share of pros and cons. So, before doing an online search for ‘solar companies near me’ or calling a solar panel installation company, it’s best to learn how these pros and cons might affect you.

Solar Panels Benefits

With solar panels, you can enjoy:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Residential Solar Panels

Here are some other questions you might have regarding solar panels in Calgary.