1) What is a solar panel?
Solar panels are devices with a technology normally made of silicon which allows us to channel solar energy and transform it into electrical energy to power a home.
2) How many types of solar panels are there? And which one do I need?
There are two types of solar modules, to know which one suits us according to our needs we need to know what their virtues and defects are
A. Monocrystalline: This type of solar panel is the one that has been on the market the longest, it takes a little longer to heat up, but when it does, it is very efficient, its cells are capable of capturing solar energy even in cold climates, cloudy or stormy, normally these panels are recommended for solar systems that are in the north.
B. Polycrystalline: This type of solar panel is newer, they have a faster manufacturing and that makes their cost cheaper than monocrystalline, they tend to heat up very quickly and this makes them perfect for hot places with sunny climates with a lot of solar power. .
3) How many do I need? How many volts and watts do I need?
In this sense everything is related, the first thing we have to know is our electricity consumption, either by looking at it on the electricity bill or by making approximate calculations of the electronic components that we have at home
For example, 4 LED bulbs lit for 4 hours consume 48W/day.
And a 24h refrigerator consumes 3192w/day
Once we make it clear what energy consumption (wh) we have to see where we are going to install the panels, for motorhomes, boats and very small installations, 12v systems are used. For houses of little use, weekends, country houses, 24v systems are used and for houses of regular use, houses, chalets, 48v systems are used
The number of panels will be given by how many wh we need if we need 1980wh we will need 6 panels of 330w.
4) How can they be connected?
At Wccsolar we recommend that solar installations, no matter how simple they may seem, are always 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 8.2A of intensity, when placed in parallel, the voltage would remain at 12v, however, the intensity would be multiplied by 3, that is, the inverter would enter 12v and 24.6A.
Serial Connection
The voltage is added and the current stays the same.
If we connect 3 solar panels with a voltage of 12v and 8.2A intensity, when put in series, the voltage would increase by three, however the intensity would remain the same, that is, the inverter would enter 36v and 8.2A.
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, the inverter would enter 24v and 16.4A.
5) Where do I put them and where do I direct them?
Most of the houses do not give us much choice when choosing where our mounted solar systems will go, nor their orientation, the ideal would be to place the plates in a southwest direction with an approximate inclination of 30% to make the most of the energy sun 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 are no problems when we start using it.
Perforating Roof Structures
They are designed to be installed in a horizontal position, with the same slope 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.
Structures Roof Sandwich sheet
Special anchors for sheet metal roofs. This structure is made of aluminum and maintains the same slope of the roof 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, either on a flat roof on top of a building or on the ground, we have various angles of inclination to be able to adapt all the structures to the needs that arise in each case.
Brackets for Motorhomes or Boat
We have supports for perfect solar panels for motorhomes, vans, boats or any surface where it is not convenient to drill. By not having the need to make holes, and thanks to the cable gland, the entry of water will be avoided in case of rain or snow.
6) What kind of maintenance do you have?
Solar panels have great resistance over time, but they need 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 amount of 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 the remains of the soap, all you have to do is rinse them with plenty of water and go over them 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 to collect as much solar radiation as possible to power our solar system.
