Adding Solar Panels To Your Existing System

There are several reasons why you might want to add solar panels to your existing system. Perhaps your budget allowed you to start with a smaller number of panels, maybe you’ve increased your energy usage over the years, or you’ve built an extension on your home and now have space for more panels. Whatever the reason, our expert team at Green House Solar is here to explain how this process works. 

Can You Add More Solar Panels to an Existing Setup?

Yes, you can add panels to your existing solar system. If you have space on your roof then your solar installer can simply add more, but solar panels don’t need to always be on the roof. They can also be placed in various locations around your property, taking into account things like sun exposure and shaded obstructions, like trees and shrubbery. 

How Many Panels Should You Add?

The number of panels you add will depend on several factors, most importantly how much energy you’re using on a monthly basis. It’s common for peoples’ energy usage to increase over the years, especially if your family has expanded or you add new appliances to your home. Share your most recent energy bill with your solar installer, so they can recommend the correct number of panels to add. 

How to Upgrade Your Solar System

Call your solar installer and let them know you want to expand your existing solar system. They’ll conduct an inspection and let you know what’s possible, whether it’s adding more panels to your roof or installing additional panels somewhere else on your property. Upgrading your system does even more to reduce your emissions while providing your home with clean, free, renewable power from the sun. 

Adding Solar Batteries

Solar batteries collect and store solar power to distribute throughout your home at a later time. If you’re expanding your solar system you may want to add an additional solar battery (or two), and this is something your solar installer can do alongside installing your new solar panels. 

For more information about adding solar panels to your existing setup, or if you have any other questions, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We look forward to hearing from you, but until then please visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar/

 

 

How to choose the best home solar panels for you

We’re thrilled that you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system! You’ll soon be joining many other homeowners across the country who enjoy the benefits of completely clean, free, renewable energy and you’ll be doing your part to make positive choices for the environment. 

A question many people ask is: what are the best home solar panels for me? As with many things there is no singular “best” home solar panel, and the answer depends on several factors that our team will discuss below. If you’d like to learn more about which home solar panels are best for you, our team will be happy to assist. 

Cost per watt

Your budget will be the biggest determining factor in which solar panels you choose, and panels come in many different sizes. Full-size panels are generally in the range of 275-400 watts, so to deduce the true cost, you can divide the total price of the panel by the number of watts it outputs. You may have the budget for full-size panels or you may want to go with a smaller option. We can work with all different budgets at Green House Solar. 

Efficiency

You obviously want your solar panels to be efficient because they’ll be powering your whole house with renewable energy. Check the efficiency ratings of the different brands you’re considering – between 15-22% is considered a good efficiency rating. 

Temperature Coefficient

Your solar panels will be subjected to all different types of weather conditions and varying temperatures, especially as our summers get hotter and our winters get more severe. Very hot temperatures can make your solar panels less efficient, so if you live in a place where it gets hot on a regular basis, we recommend asking your solar installer which panels are best suited for hot climates. 

Warranties

Home solar panels come with a workmanship warranty and a performance warranty. The workmanship warranty protects your panels against any manufacturer defects and other physical problems, while the performance warranty ensures your home solar system continues working above the efficiency rating for their entire lifespan. 

Company History 

When choosing a solar installer, we recommend selecting a company that has a long, successful history of installing home solar panels in your area. The company you choose will be with you every step of the way until your solar system is complete, so picking a company you feel comfortable with and that you trust is very important.

For more information about the various types of home solar panels, or if you have any questions about which ones are best for your home, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Solar panel system installation: what to expect

If you’re considering installing a solar panel system at home, you may be wondering what happens during the installation process and what you can expect. More people are opting for home solar systems now because they want to break free from conventional energy, reduce their environmental footprint, and lower their monthly energy costs. 

In this article, we’ll discuss each step of the installation process from start to finish. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our team today – they’ll be happy to help.

Step #1: Install Solar Panel Mounts

The first step is installing solar panel mounts. These pieces are affixed to your roof, and then your solar panels are affixed to the mounts. Your solar installer will inspect your roof to determine what type of mounts will work best, and then they’ll place them in the ideal position for maximum sun exposure. While it’s true that solar panels generate energy on cloudy days, you want your solar panels to be in the best position possible to absorb as much sunlight as they can, hency why it’s so important to properly place the mounts. 

Step #2: Install the Solar Panels

Once the mounts are firmly in place, it’s time to attach the solar panels to the mounts. Your solar installer will ensure the panels are properly attached to the mounts and that they’re angled correctly. It’s important that your solar panels are securely affixed to the mounts.

Step #3: Wire the Solar Panels

After your solar panels have been secured to the mounts, you’ll need to install the electrical wiring. Turn off your home’s power supply before this step. 

Step #4: Install Solar Inverter and Consumer Unit

The solar inverter is a crucial part of the home solar system. It converts sunlight into the energy used to power your home. Solar inverters are usually placed near the main solar panel, and we recommend they be kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight. 

The solar inverter will need to be connected to the consumer unit, which is your fuse board, in order to generate electricity. 

Step #5: Start and Test Solar Panels

You’re now ready to turn your power back on and let your solar panels get to work. Once your home solar system is up and running you can install an app on your phone that allows you to monitor your electricity usage in real time.

To learn more about solar power and how our team can install a home solar system for you, please call us today or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar

Understanding how solar panels work

More and more homeowners and businesses are seeking to move away from non-renewable energy, and opt for clean energy options like solar panels that allow them to reduce their carbon footprint. While you’ve probably seen solar panels atop many roofs, do you know how they work? In this article, we’ll discuss what solar panels are made of, how they generate electricity, and how weather conditions affect the production of solar energy. 

Continue reading “Understanding how solar panels work”