Solar energy is quickly becoming a popular source of power among homes and businesses. There are around 92.7 billion solar panels in use worldwide, and the number is only expected to rise as world governments try to curb their CO2 emissions.
Expect the solar panel usage rate to rise as the cost of solar power continues to trend downwards without sacrificing power generation. However, one factor that most individuals and companies continuously have to address is finding the right solar panel location. Finding the perfect spot for your solar panels can become troublesome if your property doesn’t have much space.
To help you out, we’ll be sharing the best locations in your home or office that can fully accommodate your brand-new solar panels.
Ideal Solar Panel Placement
Aside from identifying the perfect solar panel location, the panel’s placement is also vital in maximizing your panels by exposing them to as much sunlight as possible. There are certain factors you must consider when deliberating on your solar panel’s placement on your property.
The first factor to think about is the tilt. Your panel’s angle can influence how much sunlight it can catch and absorb. Since we live in a country where the sun is out for longer during the warmer months, it’s not a bad idea to tilt your panels as close to the sun as possible.
Another one is orientation. Finding the right orientation matters in getting the most sunlight. It’s recommended that facing south will work best for fixed panels, but that can change according to how your building is situated.
If you have further questions about how to properly position a solar panel, consult with solar panel installation experts about it. For now, here are some tips to help with your solar panel placement considerations.
3 Best Locations for Your Solar Panel
1. Roof Installation
One of the most prominent locations for your solar panels is the roof of your property. It’s one of the places your building has the most contact with sunlight, so it’s only logical to install them here.
There are plenty of solar panels specifically made for homes with angled roofs, but the effectiveness of these panels still depends on the tilt your roofs can provide. If your roofs are angled closer to 90 degrees, it’d be hard for the panels to maximize their capability.
However, it would help if you ask yourself these questions before you push ahead with the roof panel installation:
- Is there any available space on my roof for these panels? It will be hard to establish a decent solar electric system if there isn’t enough space to install more than a couple of solar panels.
- Is my roof strong enough? Installing solar panels on specific roofing types may be a lot harder than you think, so it would be best to consider the weight of the panels and the sturdiness of the roof.
- Is my roof appropriately oriented? Since we live above the equator, the sun is positioned slightly to the south. So, any roofing space that points southwards can maximize the energy gathered by your roof.
- Are there any shaded areas on my roof? Shade is the natural enemy of solar panels, and the shaded areas of your roof can restrict the amount of energy your panels can generate
2. Ground Installation
Solar-powered energy systems are dependent on the panel’s ability to get as much sunlight as possible. Since handling solar panels can be a bit complex, it’s important to seriously consider your property before going with a ground installation of your panels.
The biggest downside to ground installation is the amount of real estate you may have to give up just to power up a property with solar energy. However, maintenance would be easier compared to roof-installed panels.
Here are a couple of questions you must ask yourself before committing precious land to this project:
- Is the terrain suitable for ground installation? If the land isn’t stable enough to handle the weight that comes with the solar panels and the peripheral equipment needed to mount them, it would be a bad idea to implement.
- Is the area around your property flood-prone? Avoid future headaches by not placing any solar panels in locations that easily get flooded during the wet season.
- Are there any effective drainage systems in the area? Since you’re handling electricity with these solar panels, it’s important to proactively prevent any water buildup. Only select areas where you can also build an effective drainage system to get rid of any water buildup.
- How far are the panels from the building it will power? Structures that are far from the panels will understandably require more resources in terms of equipment and maintenance. However, specific arrangements may change your setup.
3. Building Integration
If neither option works for your building, you may want to consider integrating your company’s solar installation into your building’s structure. Doing this will be tricky, especially for older buildings, but this can help preserve the structure while helping you transform it for the better.
The facets of the building that you can transform into solar power-generating assets are interesting:
- Your structure’s walls. While it isn’t ideal to install panels vertically, placing them on certain walls that get a lot of sunlight is worth considering.
- Your building’s rooftops. Most commercial buildings and several homes have flat roofs. While you can install panels on them, you will need special equipment and techniques to get the most sunlight out of the space.
- Your windows. If your company’s considering getting blinds for your windows, consider getting solar glazing instead. These specialized windows gather solar power while providing much-needed shade for your structure’s occupants.
Power Up the Future with Solar Panels
Solar energy is not only good for the environment but great for your savings too, but it may only compound your expenses if installed poorly. Make sure to select the perfect solar panel locations to maximize your panels and make your switch to solar energy a worthwhile investment.
If you want to install solar panels on your property, get in touch with the solar power experts at SolarNRG Philippines. We have years of experience providing solar power solutions to residential, commercial, and industrial properties all over the Philippines. So talk to us today and see how our panels can transform the way you live!
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