The Right Equipment for Your PV System

Not all PV systems are the same and you want to ensure that you get the equipment that will maximize your energy savings for the price that you can afford. This means thinking about trading off between energy efficiency, size, and price for the system you want to install. The major pieces of equipment to focus on are the solar panels, inverter, meter, and batteries.

First off is the solar panels themselves. How efficient do you want the panels to be? Getting the most efficient hybrid panels available may be out of your price range, but by how much? Can you save money on other areas of the installation so as to afford the better panels? How important is the overall energy savings to you versus initial cost? These are all questions you need to think about as you are choosing solar panels.

Another aspect is the weather conditions in your area. If you live in a part of the country that is even foggier than usual, you may want thin-cell panels for their increased efficiency in those conditions. Also important is the amount and quality of roof space you have available. If you do not have an ideal installation space, you may be forced to use higher efficiency solar panels simply to create the amount of energy you wish to get out of your PV system.

You can also choose different kinds of panels based on their aesthetic value as well. There are solar panels that are grey coloured to look more like a normal roof tile, and even some that are transparent so that they can be used for conservatories. Finally, remember that if your roof tiles also need replacing, consider building integrated solar panels that are installed instead of regular roof tiles. Despite the higher cost of BiPV panels over regular solar panels, this may be a more economical solution in terms of total renovation cost.

There are other components of your PV system that you need to consider as well. One way to increase your energy savings is to invest in a higher efficiency inverter, the component that converts the DC current from your solar panels to the AC current for your home. Inverters can have efficiencies ranging from 89% to 96%, and getting a more efficient inverter may be a more cost effective way of increasing your overall energy savings than higher efficiency solar panels.

If you are installing a grid-type system, there are a number of different input/output meters available, but your selection may be limited by the type of meter your energy supplier will allow you to use. Your installer should be able to give you advice on which meters will work for you. If you are installing a battery-tied PV system the important things to look for in batteries are the total number of charge/discharge cycles, and the maximum energy storage amount, measured in Amp-hours (Ah) that the battery system will provide. Typically, lead-acid batteries will be cheaper but will not last as long as NiMH batteries.

Just remember to ensure that all equipment has been certified by Energy Saving Trust, so that you can qualify for the low carbon buildings grant. Once again, your certified installer will help to ensure that only certified equipment is used.

Next: Preparing Your Home for a PV System