What are the types of PV installations?

Solar power plants are divided into grid, hybrid and autonomous. The principle of operation of a hybrid photovoltaic installation is as follows: the sun's rays falling on the photovoltaic cells generate energy by releasing a beam of electrons, which, under the influence of emerging electric fields, turn into electric current. The controllers charge a special battery and the inverter already converts the DC voltage to AC voltage.
Grid PV installations are the most common installations, but they do not have a battery and the electricity produced flows from the inverter to the grid. They are 30-40% cheaper than hybrids. When building such a station, a common network is not required. Its advantage is that you use your own energy around the clock.

What roof area is required to build solar installations?

Before buying a photovoltaic installation, you need to know what area you can allocate for a power plant. Our installer will help you choose the most convenient location for a solar power plant with the maximum required power. The more solar modules, the larger the area. It is also very important to skillfully calculate the required angle and orientation of the structure, thanks to which the installation will be able to have the highest possible energy yields.
10 kW power plant - 30 modules, each of which takes up 1.72 sq. m. Required panel area is 51.6 m2 with the required spacing between the solar panels.
The location of the photovoltaic installation of a small industrial company requires a much larger area, which is why flat roofs with an angle of 30-35 degrees are usually used. For durability and convenience of the arrangement, use additional module fastenings that will allow you to adjust the arrangement to weather conditions. If you have enough space, it will be more rational to buy power plants on the ground. Such a location of solar power plants is suitable for both private and industrial use.
For the latitudes of Poland, the optimal location of modules for a photovoltaic installation is in the range of 30-35 degrees. Also remember that the panels should not touch each other.

I want to mount the install. Where to start?

You must specify how much energy you use per month. This is necessary to determine what power to choose to cover our needs.
Thanks to photovoltaic modules, you can significantly save on meeting the energy needs of a home or company using a station with or without a network.
After after taking the first step, you contact us and we will try to help you.

What is the procedure for connecting solar panels?

The first step is to collect the documentation required by the power company. Part of it should be provided by the installation company.
After completing the documents, the application for submitting a photovoltaic micro-installation to the grid should be completed. Its format varies depending on the operator.
The energy company will check the application within 30 days and, if everything is correct, will replace (at its own cost) the two-way meter.
After replacing the meter, in most cases it remains only to regulate cooperation with the operator. In the case of Prosumers, a comprehensive agreement is used for this. In other cases, an agreement for the sale of energy and the provision of distribution services.
From now on, your installation is completely ready to produce cheap, clean energy from the sun.

Can I buy solar installations on credit?

Of course, many of our customers are convinced of the advantages of this solution. We cooperate with Santander Bank, which grants preferential loans. Their terms can be found at the link. The bank's regulations are transparent and available to a wide range of customers.

What is a solar panel?

Solar panel is the colloquial name of a photovoltaic panel - it is a type of semiconductor equipment that absorbs solar energy and converts it into electricity. Simply put, a solar panel "absorbs" sunlight and converts it into electricity.

Which panels are better polycrystalline or monocrystalline?

When considering PV panels by type of polycrystalline or monocrystalline, monocrystalline photomodules should be preferred because their efficiency is about 2-5% higher. In addition, such panels are more durable and efficient in the summer due to the lower temperature coefficient. Monocrystalline panels take up less space than polycrystalline panels.
When you consider the manufacturer, there is no obvious guide. Most panels have very similar specifications, but Tier 1 panels have better build quality.

What is a TIER1 list?

This is a list of the largest and most financially stable manufacturers of photovoltaic modules in the world. This ranking was developed by the popular Bloomberg analytical agency. The panels of these manufacturers differ in high quality, reliability and have undergone preliminary tests for operability in various operating conditions.

Is it worth buying Chinese panels?

China accounts for 90% of the world's solar panel production. The quality of Chinese panels is not inferior to European and American, and in some components even exceeds them. The automated production cycle and strict compliance with international standards make Chinese panels widely distributed around the world, including Europe and the USA. In addition, most Tier 1 solar module manufacturers are Chinese companies. But there are more than 1,000 manufacturers in China, some of them may have poor workmanship, so we recommend consulting a specialist (installer) before buying.

Can you heat a house with solar panels?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to properly heat your home. It's very easy to explain. In winter, when the demand for heating is greatest, the power plant shows much lower generation capacity. Production in January or December is only 15% compared to production in the summer months. And the short winter day shuts down the power plant just after sunset, snow and clouds also limit the efficiency of the power plant. Therefore, even in autumn, when the level of solar radiation is sufficient, normal clouds can significantly affect the operation of the power plant.

Can you heat water with solar panels?

Technically it is possible. The easiest way is to connect 5-6 panels in series, depending on their technical data. We get 220 240 V and 12-20 A. We connect the plus and minus wires to the heating element and ready. Depending on the number of hours of sunshine, we can heat the water sufficiently.

Will panels lose their power over time?

Yes, but the rate of loss or degradation is not high enough to bring the system back to full capacity quickly enough. Each year, the panel loses about 0.5-0.8%. After 25 years of operation, the loss factor should not exceed 20%. In practice, however, this issue is very individual. For example, some solar modules that were introduced to the market 30 years ago still operate efficiently without losing 15% of their power.

Can panels of different power be installed in one installation?

It is possible, but you need to buy an inverter with enough MPPT trackers and inputs. In this way, photomodules with different capacities and volt-ampere characteristics will work independently of each other, and stronger panels, thanks to a series connection, will not lose their efficiency.

Do solar panels work at night?

Sorry no, PV modules don't work at night. To power the devices in this case, batteries should be used that accumulate electricity during the day and can give it back at night.

Do solar panels work in cloudy weather?

They work, but performance decreases due to the fact that the intensity of sunlight (radiation) in such conditions is lower by about 20-30%. For example, the light intensity level may drop from 700 watts per m2 to 500 watts per m2. Therefore, in regions where cloudiness is a periodic phenomenon, it is recommended to use photomodules such as Half-Cut.

Are solar panels harmful?

The panels do not have a negative impact on the ecological environment or human health. This myth is often explained by people's negative perception of the term "solar radiation", although we encounter it every day and it is not harmful. And once heated, the silicon elements do not emit any foreign chemicals or radiation of any kind.

Are solar panels resistant to hail, snow and wind?

All photovoltaic panels presented by us have undergone initial durability tests by leading expert committees - TUV SUD, CQC. Frequently declared load indicators are: permissible snow load up to 5400 Pa, wind up to 2400 Pa (or 40-50 m / s). Therefore, the panels are almost as windproof as the roof. Photomodules are also tested for hail drops up to 25 mm thick at a speed of 23 m / s. In addition, the angle of inclination of the panels slightly reduces the impact of hail on its strength. But in our climate, such natural anomalies are extremely rare.

What is the actual lifetime of solar panels?

No one will actually answer this question. The fact is that photomodules are a relatively new energy technology, and the full cycle of their operation is not known to anyone. But as practice shows, even the first montages are still active and work efficiently! A good example is the 80-watt Kyocera solar panel, which was purchased in 1979 by American Ralph Jimenez. After 40 years of operation, although it has lost about 30% of its rated capacity, it is still used as intended. The main component of a long service life is the protection of the panels against damage.

How and where can I install a solar installation?

The panels are universal equipment, which is why they are mounted on various types of roofing, on the facade, on ground structures, on special systems with a solar tracker. Installation of complex objects should be entrusted to trusted specialists.

Can solar panels be stolen?

This idea will look rather impossible. The panels are firmly attached to the structure, so quick disassembly without special equipment and skills will be extremely difficult. And you have to be very careful when transporting the panels as they need to be securely fastened in the car so as not to get damaged. It is true that everything can be stolen, but in this situation the effort is not worth the results, and in our practice nothing like this has happened.

Do I have to clean solar panels?

Panels should be washed when necessary. For example, you have noticed a significant layer of dust or other types of dirt that reduce the generation rate - then yes, you need to wash the modules. As a result, your station will generate more electricity.

What are the environmental benefits of using solar energy?

The main and measurable advantage of using solar energy is a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Due to the decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect will not be as strong as it is now. And the greenhouse effect is the main cause of global warming, which in turn causes glaciers to melt and parts of the Earth to dry out. Therefore, the reduction of CO2 emissions will have an extremely positive impact on the ecological background of our region and the planet. In addition, the use of photovoltaic panels has a significant economic impact for all of us.

What is a solar power plant?

This is a special engineering structure whose task is to convert solar energy into electricity. The main components of any photovoltaic power plant are solar panels, which convert the sun's energy into direct current, and an inverter, which converts direct current into alternating current, making it suitable for use in the home grid.

Can I install a solar power plant and disconnect from the general grid?

An external grid is mandatory for a grid-connected power plant and it is when combined with the grid that a solar power plant shows the fastest rates of return. Without the network, the payback time will be much longer because you have to install additional batteries.

What is the installation time for a solar power plant?

It all depends on weather conditions and seasons. A power plant with a capacity of up to 5 kW is installed in 1-2 days. Station 10-20 kW - from 2 to 3 days. From 20 to 30 kW - about a week. The rooftop power plant is assembled faster because it is not necessary to construct an earthed metal frame. One of the elements that also affects the assembly time is the complexity of the object. The actual installation time is estimated by the engineer during the site inspection.

What are the disadvantages of a solar power plant?

The main disadvantage of any power plant is its low efficiency in winter, as well as in shadow and low light. A small disadvantage is the assembly area and a certain susceptibility of the power plant to significant mechanical damage. But all disadvantages are offset by advantages such as fast payback, environmental safety and long life.

How often do you need to service the solar power plant?

The photovoltaic power plant does not require special service. It is enough for the owner to simply carry out a periodic inspection and check the energy production indicators. These actions will allow your power plant to operate efficiently and continuously, and bring profits. In winter, the panels can be cleared of snow, if necessary and possible. In other seasons, wash the panels of dust and dirt, if you notice any traces of dirt, it will improve electricity production.

Can I place an installation on the ground?

Of course. In addition, this installation method turns out to be the most efficient. On the ground, you can mount a static structure with the selection of the most optimal angle, mount a special structure and change the angle with the seasons yourself, or design a solar tracker that automatically focuses on the sun.

What is a solar installation monitoring system?

This is a profiled piece of software that is connected to the photovoltaic installation using components - hardware keys or loggers, in order to collect data on the station's performance and its current status. Most monitoring systems operate in wireless mode (WLAN / WiFi), less often - in LAN mode. Simply put, a monitoring system allows you to remotely monitor a station from a phone or computer hundreds of miles away. Using the monitoring system, you can remotely adjust its operating parameters.

Which solar power plants need batteries?

The grid power station doesn't need them, and there's no way to connect them to a common system. Batteries are used in autonomous and hybrid power plants as they serve as a source of emergency power.

What are the inverters for a solar power plant?

The first type of inverter classification is the same as for PV power plant - grid, hybrid and standalone. Depending on the grid, inverters can also be single or three phase. In addition, inverters should be classified for industrial and home use. Industrial inverters have more MPPT trackers.

Is it necessary and possible to insure a solar power plant?

Yes, according to our experts, it is even possible to insure a photovoltaic power plant. For example, in the event of unusual weather phenomena such as storms, hurricanes or hail, the panels can be significantly damaged. Therefore, it is better to spend extra money and insure power plants. The approximate cost of insurance is 0.7% of its cost per year.