Top Mistakes to Avoid During Solar Installation
Solar power has come out as one of the most dependable and cheap sources of power in India. However, the technology itself is very reliable, but the presence of installation errors might have a severe impact on performance, safety, and future returns. Most people who own homes jump into the process basing the comparison on prices and not expertise. The fact is that one error in the installation process will nullify the savings that are anticipated to take years. This is an elaborate description of the most frequent installation errors in solar and how they can be prevented.
1. Poor Site Assessment
Any solar project that has been successful starts with an in-depth site analysis. Failure or hurry in this step will result in improper system sizing, misalignment as well as shading.
The roof orientation, angle and the daily movement of the shadows should be assessed by a professional installer in order to identify the optimum position. A mere barrier such as a water tank, parapet wall, or a nearby tree can shade in the sunshine and decrease the output of the panels by 10-20 percent. Construction strength is also important; your roof needs to be capable of bearing the total weight of the panels, frames and mounting structures. A site report must always be precise and should be demanded prior to installation or quotation.
2. Choosing the Lowest Bid
The urge to take the lowest price is tempting, but solar can be 20-25 years investment rather than a one time purchase. Cheap bids usually imply tradeoffs: thinner cable, poor quality inverters, aluminum frames rather than galvanized steel, or obsolete panels. These cuts result in premature degradation, numerous breakages and low productivity.
Rather, companies should be compared in terms of certifications, terms of warranty, equipment brand and after-sales service. An acceptable installer may be expensive now but will save you a lot in the long-term of life of the system.
3. Ignoring Electrical Safety
Solar suppliers use direct current (DC) that does not act the same way as alternating current (AC) on your power grid. Short circuits or failure of the inverter or fire risks may occur due to improper wiring of equipment or bad earthing. The safe installation should incorporate DC isolators, surge protectors, good circuit breakers and sound grounding.
Make sure that your installer is working according to the BIS and IEC safety standards and that a certified electrician has to test the final installation. It is always necessary to request earthing test and wiring diagram documentation prior to the project being signed off.
4. Missing Inverter and Battery Compatibility
The inverter is the control center of your solar system any mismatch of components can be crippling. A small inverter to fit the panel array will not produce its full potential, and a large inverter will be inefficient.
A hybrid or scalable inverter with smart monitoring will be a better choice when you would like to expand your system or add battery storage at some point. This makes sure that the future upgrades will be incorporated with no further rewiring or expense.
5. Failure to plan Maintenance
Although people commonly refer to solar systems as maintenance-free, this is not the case as they do require regular maintenance. The sunlight can also be shaded by leaves, dust, and bird droppings and decrease the generation by 15%. Clean your panels with a dry brush and ordinary water after every 10-15 days.
Arrange quarterly wiring, junction box and inverter logs maintenance. Installers of good standing provide Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) many of which guarantee a steady performance and rapid fault resolution. Consider it as a warranty of the long-term effectiveness of your system.
Conclusion
Good planning, good materials and good workmanship have made the result of a great solar installation. Never be seduced by cheap prices or fast schedules. Instead concentrate on hiring an expert installer, meet safety regulations and undertake regular maintenance. A proper solar system will provide decades of clean power, consistent savings and a feeling of security when it is done right.
