Investing in solar panels, trusting in renewable energy and contributing to energy savings is increasingly important to contribute to sustainability in the home. Thanks to new technologies, generating clean and renewable energy for self-consumption is within our reach, although there is also a great lack of knowledge about its installation, use and regulation.
In this article from EcologíaVerde, we explain how to install solar panels to be able to supply yourself with energy in your private home. Thanks to new technologies, you will be able to obtain green, ecological and sustainable energy. Find out how!
What are solar panels?
Solar panels are flat, rectangular devices whose main purpose is to absorb solar radiation in order to transform it into electricity. This is a simple process of obtaining solar energy that occurs when the sun’s rays hit these panels, where their composition of photons converts light into electrical energy .
Since their development in 1945, photovoltaic panels have undergone a great evolution. Although they were initially intended for business uses, such as special satellites, small solar panels soon began to be incorporated into domestic uses, such as calculators, in the 1960s. Today, solar panels are a sustainable method of energy transformation capable of supplying and supplying electricity to entire buildings.
As for the types of solar panels, we can basically distinguish two main types: photovoltaic panels , which allow the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, and thermal solar panels , which transform solar energy into thermal energy, i.e. heat. Likewise, hybrid solar panels can currently also be found that combine both methods of energy transformation.
In this other article from EcologíaVerde we tell you in much more detail what solar panels are and how they work .
Why choose solar panels?
Betting on solar panels means betting on sustainable energy and self-consumption. This type of method for obtaining renewable and clean energy allows consumers to be self-sufficient and completely control their spending and energy consumption in the home. Likewise, legislation on self-consumption allows many individuals to reduce their energy consumption through the installation of quality solar panels.
Among the advantages that reinforce the idea of investing in solar panels is the idea of being able to have your own renewable energy source, on a small or large scale, which translates into:
- Self-consumption.
- Immediate availability of energy.
- Energy saving.
- Green and renewable energies, since they do not have an impact on the environment.
- It is an abundant energy, since the sun receives 20 thousand times more solar radiation than the energy needed to supply the planet.
- Maintenance is basic, just a proper cleaning is required. Solar panels also have a 20-year lifespan guarantee.
- It can be a shared system, especially in buildings, where all the residents can be supplied with communal solar panels, which reduces the level of expenditure and leads to electricity savings.
How to install solar panels – steps and tips
Now that you know the main advantages you can benefit from if you choose to use solar panels, it is important to know how to install solar panels.
- First of all, as an individual, you must have your own private roof. If you live in a block of flats or want to install the panels in a specific building, you must have the approval of the residents and/or owners.
- If you already have a space where you can place solar panels for self-consumption , it is important to see which panel best suits your energy needs before contacting the specialized company and purchasing any panel. Think about its characteristics, basically its durability, quality and performance. Although these three aspects will directly affect the cost of the panel, it will allow you to use good panels. Remember that it is very important that the panel fits your consumption habits in order to select the best option.
- It is also important to have experts and professionals install the solar panels , since it is not advisable to do it on your own. Although at first glance the process seems simple, a bad installation could cause problems in the medium or long term, which would increase the initial cost of the installation.
For all these reasons, and in order to correctly install solar panels in your home , we recommend that you follow these steps:
- Request an installation quote, as well as an engineering study that will allow you to know what your energy consumption is in order to choose the most suitable solar panel.
- Buy the panel once you have accepted the quote. Trust the professional service of the company where you bought the panel for its installation, as it is much easier, safer and more reliable to have professionals do the installation than to try to do it ourselves.
- Start saving! Once you have your panel installed, it’s time to increase your energy savings for years to come.
- Keep the panels in good condition. Although these panels are very resistant, especially to inclement weather, you should clean them at least once a month. You can also hire the same company that installed them for maintenance; in fact, there are purchase and installation contracts that already include maintenance from time to time.
