Solar panels are very durable, and leading brands now offer them a 25-year product warranty. They can also save you thousands of dollars in electricity bills throughout their lifetime, while their upfront costs become very small. However, only by correctly installing solar panels can good results be achieved.

Here, we will discuss some common errors when installing solar panels and how they affect the performance and lifespan of the system.

• Install solar panels in the shaded area of the roof.
• Not using the ideal direction for your solar panels.
• Terminal blocks in different directions within the same circuit.
• Hire unqualified solar companies for your project.

When working with professionals, there is no need to worry about these issues. However, any solar energy quotes provided without property evaluation should raise doubts: these are universal quotes that do not consider shading and roof conditions, and they typically use low-quality materials and unqualified labor.

Error 1- Installing solar panels in shadows

Shadows are one of the main enemies of solar panels: if sunlight cannot reach them, their power output will be greatly reduced or even zero. The solar panels in the shade represent a wasteful investment as you have not received the expected power output. For this reason, they should be installed in roof areas with little or no shading.

Avoiding shadows when installing solar panels may seem like a simple concept, but it’s not just visible on the surface. Due to the constantly changing position of the sun in the sky, the direction of shadows also changes during the day.

For example, when the sun rises from the east, a large tree will cast a shadow towards the west, and vice versa in the afternoon. You may find that certain parts of your property receive sufficient sunlight in the morning, but in the afternoon, they are completely covered by shadows.

The shading conditions will also vary according to the season. In summer, when the sun is high in the sky, objects will cast shorter shadows. As winter approaches, the relative position of the sun becomes lower and objects begin to cast longer shadows. This means that the solar panel system can have no shadows in summer, but can cover in winter.

Finding out which parts of the roof have no shadows throughout the year may sound like a daunting task. However, professional solar installers have design software that can simulate the position of the sun over time, and they can determine which parts of the roof are optimal.

Error 2- Not using the ideal direction for solar panels

Shadow is not the only factor that determines how much sunlight reaches your solar panel. Their direction is also important, even the most efficient panels will experience a decrease in efficiency when in poor position.

Due to the sun rising from the east, solar panels facing that direction are more efficient in the morning. The price paid is lower productivity in the afternoon, but the panels facing east are meaningful for the most active buildings in the morning (such as schools).

The opposite applies to panels facing west, resulting in higher work efficiency in the afternoon. Some power companies also charge higher electricity bills in the afternoon and evening, while panels facing west will generate energy at higher values per kilowatt hour.

The ideal direction for solar panels depends on your geographical location and how you plan to use their electricity. The same advice given to avoid shadow issues applies here: by contacting professional installation personnel, you can ensure that the solar panels are placed correctly.

Error 3- Connecting solar panels in different directions in the same circuit

Solar panel systems are typically divided into sections in different directions to more effectively cover your rooftop space. This means that the panels of the same system can face different directions, and their productivity may vary throughout the day.

Suppose you divide 20 panels into two groups, with 10 in each group, one facing east and one facing west.

The east facing group generates more electricity in the morning, while the west facing group generates more electricity in the afternoon.
Ideally, solar panels connected together should have similar energy production curves. As their direction determines when they are more efficient, solar panels with similar positions should be combined together.

On the other hand, solar panels with different production profiles may interfere with each other when connected. For example, a solar panel facing west will reduce the output of a panel facing east in the morning, and vice versa.

Fortunately, modern solar inverters are designed to manage multiple sets of solar panels separately. This means you can have a home solar system that uses rooftop areas with different directions, but each panel is independently managed and optimized.

Error 4- Hiring unqualified solar companies

You will encounter many websites that offer solar energy quotes, and they are usually very cheap. However, many of these quotes use low-quality solar panels and components, and the companies that provide them are only sales offices that hire unqualified installers to complete the work. These quotes may seem like a quick and simple choice, but they can cause you a lot of trouble.

For example, a low-quality solar system may malfunction within a few months, and you could have purchased high-end solar panels that can be used for 25 years or longer. Obtaining professional installation is also important because if many manufacturers discover evidence of poor craftsmanship, they will cancel the warranty. Finally, when your solar panels lack sufficient wiring and protective measures, the risk of fire increases significantly.