Installing solar panels begins by selecting the
location. If you already have solar cells, then you need to know which type they are. It is known that polycrystalline( and also similar in properties to single crystals) have a higher performance than thin-film elements of .Accordingly, the latter type modules will need much more to produce a sufficient number of kilowatts. Proceeding from this, we should also look for a place where solar batteries will be installed. For example, in order to have at least a modest 2.5 kilowatts for illumination of the rooms and work of electrical appliances, it is necessary to cover an area of more than 180 meters with solar cells.
So, what is at your disposal? First of all, the territory of the site, but free of land development can be used for its intended purpose, that is, plant a garden and a vegetable garden. In addition, there are probably several residential and outbuildings on the site. Often, the garage is built separately from the house, with an attic above the haven for cars, and this is another gable roof along with the roof on the main residential building. It is also possible to take into account canopies and gazebos, and only as a last resort to have solar cells directly on the ground.
Solar home batteries - installation, orientation
Without knowing your preferences for solar cells, let's make the assumption that the choice fell on polycrystalline. Their main advantage is that much less space is required than for thin-film modules, however, one inconvenience arises - polycrystals require direct sunlight. And this means that it is necessary to arrange solar batteries for the house in a certain way, installation of them should be done with orientation to the south.
Ideally, a roof slope suitable for this purpose is suitable, the plane of which is turned towards the south-east or south-west. A deviation of even 45 degrees from the sun's rays will reduce battery performance to only 71 percent, and an error of 15 degrees will not play any role at all. Modules needing directional solar radiation, usually put at an angle of 40 to 60 degrees, all-weather the same for the low winter sun set at an angle of at least 60 degrees. Much more convenient in this respect thin-film modules, they catch scattered light, and therefore, can be sent to either side.
This will allow you to take solar panels every square meter of roof in all buildings without exception, as a result of which you will be able to get enough kilowatts for your needs all year round. In the Moscow region, you can get up to 997 kWh / m2 per year. In the south of Russia this figure will grow to 1300. Consequently, in the warm, sunny months of medium size, the house can be supplied with electricity to the fullest even from thin-film batteries.
How does winter affect the performance of solar cells?
This question is very appropriate for Russia and a number of CIS countries, where the cold months are quite severe. Again, everything depends on the type of solar panels. Those that need direct sunlight, will lose efficiency for a while, while the sky is tightened by a dense cloud cover. However, in the winter time, the sun is capable of heating, on such days the productivity of poly- and single-crystal blocks will be somewhat higher than in the summer. However, one should also take into account a shortened light day, which again will reduce the daily generation of electricity.
With regard to thin-film elements capable of capturing scattered light, they will provide the house with energy throughout the winter, regardless of the weather.
In this case, on clear days, the performance of such modules can rise slightly above the usual 25% of the nominal value. This is due to the fact that the bright light falls not only from above, in the form of sunlight, but also reflects off the snow. Regarding the latter, by the way, it is often feared that it is generally able to exclude the generation of current by covering solar batteries. But it should be borne in mind that the modules are located at an angle, and on a smooth glass the snow nap will not hold. In addition, during the day, the batteries become quite hot.