Common mistakes when installing a solar energy system

There is no doubt that solar energy is one of the most important topics globally, so we must rely on clean energy because it is the main factor in preserving the climate, and it is the key to reducing global warming and avoiding the effects of climate change.

Solar energy applications have varied to include household, agricultural and industrial aspects, until it has entered almost every home, so it is important to go towards clean sources of energy in addition to being one of the most important investment fields. The use of solar energy is increasing rapidly and there is an increase in demand for it because it is continuous and renewable energy that is interminable and has a great economic return. It reduces the value of monthly bills and is characterized by its various uses. Therefore, during the installation of the solar energy system, some points and tips should be taken into account.

The most common mistakes during the installation of the solar energy system:

First - Errors related to the installation of solar panels:

1- Not taking into account the shade when installing solar panels: - The angle and location of position of the solar panels play an important role on their efficiency, so you must leave a distance or raise the base of the panels to make distance between the shaded body and the panels. The natural factors can also affect the capacity of the panels, where the shade is due to environmental obstacles such as clouds and self-shading between panels in parallel rows and dirt such as dust and other.

- To avoid this problem, you should pay attention to the site before installing solar panels and make a careful analysis by studying the site throughout the day. You also need to study the surrounding sites if there is a nearby building under construction or a shade of a tree.

2- Inappropriate angle and direction of the solar panel:

The direction of the sun rays on the panels plays an important role in the speed of charging the batteries, and therefore it is important to pay attention to placing the solar panels in a location that allows them to be exposed to the largest possible amount of sunlight. Therefore, the maximum angle for polarizing solar light must be taken into account during the installation of the panels. For example, if we take the Middle East region, the solar panel must be placed at an angle of 30 degrees normally in the summer and it changes slightly in the winter, but it remains 30 on average. The angle of inclination of the solar panel must be placed towards the south with inclination towards sunset, but it may vary according to the country and the season.

3- Poor implementation of installing panel fixing structures: - Installing solar panel bases made of light iron that is subject to oxidation and rust leads to an inevitable disaster and the panels will fall and break and it may lead to human damage. The bases must be solid, strong and resistant to weather factors such as (rain, wind, moisture, heat...) and the best is always Use bases made of aluminum alloys or galvanized iron to keep them sturdy and cohesive (especially in high humidity areas).

Second - Using automotive batteries instead of solar energy batteries:

- We also note the widespread use of car batteries instead of batteries designated for solar energy, due to the users’ lack of awareness of the basic differences between the two types. However, the difference is very large. The car battery is designed to give a large current only at the start of the car’s engine, and it is called the takeoff current, while the solar battery is designed for charging and discharging continuously.

Therefore, we recommend using one of the following types of batteries: 1- lead acid tubular batteries: They last longer than regular dry batteries, and usually come with a longer warranty.

2- Gel tubular batteries: They work under high or low temperature conditions, and their life span is longer compared to lead acid batteries.

3- Lithium battery: It has a longer life cycle, greater energy storage and fast charging.

We also recommend using distilled water for batteries instead of tap water, because it negatively affects the performance of the battery, because it contains minerals, which in turn interact with the acid in the battery, reducing its concentration. On the other hand, these particles are precipitated on the cells and reduce the interaction between the cells and the acid in the battery. Therefore, we recommend using distilled water, as the warranty is voided when using ordinary water.

Third - placing the inverter in an open place or exposed to weather factors and sun.

Some users place the inverter in a place exposed to heat, sun, humidity and rain, and this is a wrong behavior unless the device is designed to work in the open air. The inverter must be generally placed in a place with good ventilation because the inverter contains cooling fans and the fans are placed at the bottom of the inverter or on its sides, which in turn brings out the hot air from inside the inverter when its temperature rises, so it is necessary to leave a certain distance between the inverter and the wall to maintain the mechanism of the inverter fans working properly, which in turn regulates the work of the inverter and maintains its temperature regulation.

Previously, we find that there are many errors that we may encounter when purchasing and installing a solar energy system, but it is possible to avoid them by taking the previous tips and advices into consideration, and it is preferable to deal with companies that have the appropriate experience, including engineers and technicians with high experience in installing the solar energy system.