Solar Panel Installation
Posted on March 28th, 2010 by Bruce
Solar Panel Installation
Here are the steps we took to install my 3.6kW solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop system, with pictures. 
Overview of Solar PV System
- 3.6kW – 18 200 watt solar panels
- rooftop racking system
- combiner box with DC fuses
- SMA Sunny Boy 4kW Grid-tie Inverter
- Electrical meter faceplate and cutoff switch
- MC-4 cables and conduit, grounding cables
Solar Racking Installation
- use chalk line, marked rooftop per layout of racking.
- 10 panels arranged in rows of 9, 6 and 3
- located rafters and drilled holes for anchor bolts
- chalked roof flange and hole and inserted anchor bolts with connector for racking
- completed installation of all racking, two rows of rails per row of solar panels
Solar Panel Installation
- fixed grounding clips to all solar panels
- installed end solar panel with cables to the top
- tightened end clamps per manufactures instructions
- added mid-clamps, then second solar panel, with cables to top
- continue to add all solar panels in first row.
- second row added, same as first row
- top row of 3 panels added with cable to bottom, to allow the second and third string of panels to be interconnected
- my system uses 2 strings of 9 panels. Thus each panel connects to the next, in a series: + to -.
- all solar panels are connected to ground and each rack is also grounded
- both series circuits and the grounding is inserted into conduit and run to the inside of my garage
Balance of System
- (completed by electrician)
- each series string of solar panels is connected to it’s own 600 volt DC fuse.
- both strings are joined in parallel and connected to the SMA AC/DC Disconnect
- Disconnect is wired into the grid-tie inverter.
- Disconnect is wired to the external manual disconnect switch
- Manual disconnect is wired to new electrical meter
Once the electrical inspection is complete, my local distribution company connects the new meter faceplate to the grid and installs the new electrical meter. This is just a quick high level overview of my installation. Know your limits, the local laws and restrictions and use professional help as needed.
More info: Solar Panels
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- Residential Solar Photovoltaics – a Primer
- How Home Solar Photovoltaic PV Works
- Evacuated Solar Panels and Snow
Filed under: solar
Hello Bruce. How do you change roof shingles with these on there? Do you have to take them all down?
Always wondered about that.
The panels will last a long time – 35 years would be reasonable. Thus you should have a fairly new roof before installing the solar panels. However, with the panels providing shade to the shingles… the shingles will last much longer than without the solar panels. As the solar panels are also on the SOUTH side, which has the sun wearing down the shingles, the NORTH side naturally lasts longer (not as much exposure to the sun…. Thus… your roof will last longer with a solar system installed.
I would love to be able to do this with the home I am currently buying but I don’t have the money!! I know more people would do this if it were more affordable.
Any ideas, comments??
Hi Linda,
Congrats on selling the ranch and your move into town next month.
Yes, solar systems can be expensive to install. Most locations have some type of assistance, via tax rebates, credits, feed-in tariffs, etc. It’s worth looking into… just the same not everyone can handle the up-front cost.
Good luck with the move and the Art.
Bruce.
Hello! Have been looking into renewable energy sources that i can just setup at home, and solar energy was a definitely on my checklist. Been looking into how solar works and even am wondering if i could just build one myself cos its damn expensive too. Well, thanks again for the post, really good insight into this area.
Am having new roof installed. Roofer wants to put solar panels on north side as south side (where they are now) faces the street. He wants his new roofing job to look good but I don’t want to lose the heat for my pool if panels are on the north. Just how much will it cut down on the efficiency of the panels?
Hello Dorroh,
The above article relates to Solar PV (electricity generation). Solar PV and Solar Thermal (heating water) don’t have anything in common, other than the sun. There are other articles on this site that talk about solar thermal – but to answer your question….
There will not be a “big” change in heat production. The exact amount depends on the panels you use, the angle they are placed at, your location on the planet (Australian Outback vs Canadian Yukon), etc.
Solar thermal panels typically convert 90% of the sun’s heat into hot water. For a pool, you are mostly concerned about heating the water at the start and end of the season. The sun is not at a “really ban angle” during these times of the year – it’s still fairly high in the sky and will still shine on your panels.
having said all that, it’s still your rooftop and the panels should go where you want them!
i could only wish that solar panels cost only several hundred dollars, i would love to fill my roof with solar panels .**
Say, how much punishment would one of those take…uuum small hail comes to mind?
They’ll take a one inch hail stone travelling at 50mph… Panels are UL 1703 safety rated for wind, fire and hail.