After learning about the numerous benefits solar panels offer you and your home, you’re ready to begin designing a system. While you feel confident enough to figure out all the details, you may start wondering, “do I need a professional to design my solar panel solutions?” Here’s what you’ll want to know.

Common Mistakes When Designing Your Own System

If you choose to design your own system, you should take the time to properly research common mistakes that get made during the design and installation process. Of course, the best way to avoid these mistakes is to consult with a professional.

Improperly Sizing Your System

Accurately estimating the size of your system is not as simple as it might seem. Estimating the proper size involves more than just considering your average energy use and then installing enough solar panels to cover that use.

A solar panel system must account for a wide variety of variables to perform at the desired level. These factors include:

• Efficiency: Over time, panels actually lose their efficiency rating by around .05 percent to .08 percent each year. Eventually, your panel system won’t be able to keep up with your energy use and you’ll need to install new panels or replace older ones. But during the initial design phase, taking the efficiency rating into account will help maintain your system for longer as the addition of more panels can help compensate for efficiency drops.
• Local climate: Sun hours are an important factor when designing your solar panel systems. Sun hours are not how long the sun is in the sky — but rather how long the sun is in the optimal position for your solar panels. Sun hours are the actual hours your panels receive peak sunlight to generate peak power. So, depending on where you live, the number of sun hours you experience can vary, which influences the size of your panel system.
• Correct voltage: Different parts of your solar panels have specific voltage ratings. This means that your system needs to be designed for the proper voltage based on its equipment and battery bank. Temperature can also affect your voltage, and thus the performance of your system. In a worst-case scenario, the wrong voltage could cause damage to explosive hardware.

Not Thinking Long-Term

As you’re designing your solar panel system, you’re probably thinking primarily of your needs right now. While you’ve considered the long-term benefits of installing solar panels, you may not have factored in additional maintenance or changes down the line.

As time passes, your energy needs and consumption may change or increase. And if your entire roof is already taken up by your soal panel system, how would you add more panels to meet your needs?

Before you finalize your design, make sure that it’s expandable and equipped to accommodate a variety of needs years into the future. Solar-Verse professionals can help.

Incompatible Parts

If you’ve decided to accumulate parts over time instead of buying everything up front, you may run into an issue where you have incompatible parts.

Inverters need to be able to handle a panel’s output. While different sized panels may not fit properly together on the mount. Not to mention that you could end up with components that won’t wire together correctly, or be able to access manufacturer support because your system’s parts come from different businesses.

To save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches later on, make sure that your parts can operate safely together.

Solar-Verse: Offering Reliable, Long-Lasting Solar Solutions Design

Solar panels offer benefits to your home for years to come. You increase the value of your home. You save on energy costs. And you help create a more sustainable planet. But improper system design and installation will leave you with expenses you hadn’t planned for.

To avoid the loss of time and money, and to save yourself from a stressful situation, schedule a free consultation with Solar-Verse today.