The durability of your solar panel installation is one of the most important things to think about when choosing a location for your solar power system. There are many factors that determine how durable your solar panel installation will be, but there are some main things you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
Each of these factors plays a role in determining how durable your solar panel installation will be, and if they are present in your location you can expect them to negatively impact the lifespan of your system.
Durability is a large factor when it comes to long-term maintenance cost and value. It is also important because you do not want to have to replace a large portion of your solar panels every few years as this will significantly increase maintenance cost and value over time.
What Makes Up A Durable Solar Panel Installation?
We know how important durability is to the lifespan of your solar panel installation, but before we can begin to examine how to build a durable solar panel installation, we need to know what makes up durable solar panel installations.
There are a few key components that are essential to a durable solar panel installation.
– Optimal Sunlight Path – The ideal sunlight path for your solar panel installation is a big one. This means that the path from your solar panels to the load on your roof is as direct as possible. The less turns or angles your solar panels have to take before they reach the load, the more efficient your system will be.
– Direct Roof Attachment – For the majority of your roof types, the absolute best way to route your solar panels is to have them attached to the roof via the roof’s existing roof mounts. This is because the roof mounts are designed with the roof in mind and are more able to direct the light than an additional mounting surface.
– Protected Roof Surface – In order to ensure the most efficient usage of your solar panels, you want to make sure that they are attached to a surface that will not obstruct any of their light. Ideally, this surface is your roof. However, in case your roof does not have an ideal surface available, you want your solar panels to be attached to a nearby wall or an existing roof mount.
– Low Total System Cost – Although it is important to have a durable solar panel installation, it is equally important to not overpay for it. Unfortunately, this is common and occurs due to a few things.
First, not all durable solar panel installations are created equal. Some panels are built to be more durable than others. Second, a solar panel installation does not have to be expensive to be durable. If a system costs less than $100/WATT, it is perfectly capable of supplying your home with solar power.
Heat In The Sunlight Path
There are few things that will damage a solar panel as much as excessive heat in the sunlight path. This is because the sunlight path is where your solar panels will be exposed to the most heat.
This excessive heat can damage the solar panels, panel connectors, and the mounting surface. If you are concerned about the heat in the sunlight path, there are a few things you can do. First, you can consider installing your solar panels in a shaded area.
This will make them less susceptible to heat, but it will also reduce their efficiency. Second, you can consider installing your solar panel on the roof of a building rather than on the ground. This will reduce the amount of heat that is transferred from the roof to the solar panel, but it will also increase the cost of your system.
Angle Of The Sunlight Path
The angle of the sunlight path is a big factor in the lifespan of your solar panel installation. Ideally, your solar panels are angled so that the sunlight goes directly through them. The less turns your solar panels have to take, the more efficient they will be.
Ideally, your solar panels should have an angle of 10°-20°, but this will vary depending on your location. If your solar panels are tilted too far, or even at all, your panels will not be able to capture as much light as they should. This will reduce their efficiency and make them harder to operate.
However, if your solar panels are angled too far away from the sunlight path, they will not be able to produce as much power as they should. This will make your solar panel installation less efficient and increase the amount of power you need to supply your home.
Protection From Dust
The last thing you want to keep an eye out for when building a durable solar panel installation is protection from dust. There are many ways to protect your solar panel installation from dust and most of these ways do not require much effort.
The best way to keep dust out of your solar panel installation is to have a clean roof. This means that no loose dirt and no accumulated dust are on the roof of your home. If you have a clean roof, dust is less likely to settle on your solar panels.
You can have a clean roof and keep dust out of your solar panel installation by keeping it clean. Another way to keep dust out of your solar panel installation is with a solar panel cover.
These coverings are designed to keep dust, debris, insects, and even birds and other animals out of your solar panel installation. These covers can be expensive, but if you are concerned about dust, they are worth it.
Water Resistance
Finally, when thinking about what makes up a durable solar panel installation, you also want to keep an eye out for water resistance. There are a few things you do not want to have happen with your solar panel installation.
First, you do not want to have any leaks in your roof or wall. Any leaks in these areas will result in water getting into your solar panel installation, which will cause damage.
Protecting your solar panel installation from water is also important. This can be done in a few different ways. First, you can cover your solar panels with a dust cover, as we mentioned above.
Second, you can have your solar panel installation protected with an automatic sprinkler system. If your solar panel installation is protected from water, it will be able to withstand minor rainfalls, ice, and snow without damage. This means that you can trust it to provide you with power during extreme weather without fear of it failing.
Conclusion
The durability of your solar panel installation is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a location for your solar power system. There are many factors that determine how durable your solar panel installation will be, but there are some main things you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
If your system meets these factors you can expect it to last a long time. Keep in mind that a durable solar panel installation is not a guarantee for 100% longevity. For example, your solar panel installation could be perfectly placed for a long lifespan but if you choose the wrong location for your system it could still be destroyed in a few years.
Therefore, when building your solar panel system, it’s important to consider these factors to help ensure your installation is as durable as possible.
