7 Common Challenges Found During Home Solar Power System Installation

Your home solar power system installation can be subject to challenges due to the complexities of its installation process. However, you can overcome the challenges efficiently if you are aware of them beforehand. Here is a list of challenges that you may face and the overcoming strategies.

Challenges Faced During Home Solar Power System Installation

Here are the common challenges faced during home solar power system installation:

1) Shading Issues

Shading is a common challenge that households often face while installing a home solar system. Optimum solar power generation is often obstructed by shades from trees, buildings, lamp posts and other objects. As a result, it is essential to avoid shading to optimise the performance of solar panels.

Ensure your solar installer conducts a rooftop space inspection before installation to identify the shade-free region.

2) Angle of Roof Tilt

Roof tilt and inclination play a crucial role in installing solar panels at the best possible angle. Non-expert solar installers can install solar panels at an incorrect angle which obstructs optimum solar power generation.

Your solar panels need to be titled at an angle of 10 to 45 degrees, depending on seasons and geographical latitude and longitude. In addition, your installed solar panel needs to be facing southward, as India is in the Northern Hemisphere. The tilt however will vary based on the location of your state in India.

Here are the tilts that your solar panel needs to have based on the Indian state:

Indian States Angle of Tilt
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab   30 to 36 degrees
Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana   24 to 30 degrees
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha   18 to 24 degrees
Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala   12 to 18 degrees

You need to ensure the tilt is at the right angle for optimum performance of your solar panels.

3) Permissions and Regulations

Solar installation in home necessitates multiple permissions and approvals to align with the regulations. For instance, you need feasibility approval from the MNRE or the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the commissioning certificate.

In addition, you require permission from the utility companies or DISCOM. It is crucial to align with the regulations and proceed with solar installation after receiving the approvals to avoid interruptions in operating your home solar system.

4) Avoid Checking Electrical Systems

Electrical systems of old homes can be of lower capacity compared to the number of household appliances. Replacement of old electrical systems can be necessary before installing home rooftop solar power systems.

You need to get an experienced electrician to examine the load capacity of your electrical system before installing a home solar panel system. Further, you must not avoid the electrical system evaluation process.

5) Financing Options

Solar installation requires a high investment initially. As a result, homeowners may need to consider solar loans or financing options for installing home solar systems. Solar vendors often provide easy EMI options. Alternatively, homeowners can apply for loans from banks and NBFCs.

While applying for loans, ensure that it comes at an affordable interest rate. In this regard, to plan for the investment, you need to have a clear idea about the total home solar installation cost.

6) Weather and Environmental Factors

Solar panels and equipment are exposed to heat and high temperatures. As a result, you need to avoid mistakes like installing low-quality solar equipment like solar modules, and inverters. Choosing high-quality products can help you make your solar system durable with long-term warranties.

7) Maintenance and Performance Monitoring

Solar panels have exposure to harsh weather conditions; as a result, they are prone to dust and dirt. Cleaning your solar panels at regular intervals such as once or twice a month is a solution that ensures optimum performance of the modules.

You need to ensure that maintenance activities for your solar panels and other solar equipment are regular. Further, you need to monitor the performance of your home solar system regularly to understand the efficiency of power generation.

How to Ensure Proper Home Solar Panel Installation?

Here are the things you need to follow for proper solar panel installation:

1) Hire Reliable Installers

For professional installation of your home rooftop solar system, you need to hire experienced installers. Ensure you choose a DISCOM-registered solar installer not only for easy subsidy availability but also to align with the MNRE guidelines.

2) Determine Required Solar System Size

Determining the size of your solar system is essential for proper solar system installation. You can determine the size or capacity of your solar system based on the energy requirements of your home. For instance, if your electricity needs are around 400-450 units a month, you need to install a 3 kW solar system. Higher energy needs will require a higher capacity of solar system for your home.

3) Prepare Your Rooftop Space

Rooftop space is an important aspect that you need to consider while installing a home solar system. You need to assess the shade-free rooftop space to install the solar system. Solar panels contain multiple solar cells that are interconnected with copper-coated wires.

In case the solar system is installed in a shady area, the interconnected cells stop functioning and the solar system fails to generate electricity. As a result, you need to evaluate the shade-free area on your rooftop before installing the residential solar system. In this regard, you may also like to know about the impact of shading on solar pv modules.

4) Check the Mounting Structure Material

Solar panel mounting structures are usually made of stainless steel or aluminium with a zinc galvanised coating. These materials strengthen the structure to prevent accidental damage to home solar systems. Before selecting the vendor for installation, ensure that the vendor provides quality mounting structure materials.

5) Buy Quality Solar Components

The quality of solar components is crucial as they determine the longevity of the home solar system you install. To ensure the durability of your solar components ensure you choose high-quality products.

With Das Energie Private Limited, you can get detailed solar installation quotations from DISCOM empanelled companies free of cost. You can compare those solar quotations to select a vendor offering high-quality and affordable solar components.

Now, that you know the common challenges faced during home solar power system installation, you can combat them and enjoy a seamless experience. Ensure you monitor the performance of your solar system at regular intervals for optimum solar power generation.

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