In the pursuit of green and sustainable lifestyles today, solar energy, as a clean, efficient, and inexhaustible resource, is receiving increasing attention and favor from people worldwide.
Solar photovoltaic power generation is the use of the magical “photovoltaic effect” – the process of converting light energy into electricity when sunlight shines on semiconductor materials to generate electricity.
From solar powered small fans to power banks, from solar powered calculators to home power generation systems, these portable and energy-saving solar products have quietly integrated into our daily lives. But what are the special considerations for applying solar photovoltaic power generation in urban residential areas?
This article provides a detailed introduction to the selection and configuration of solar photovoltaic power generation systems for urban residential households, helping you step into the smart home life of photovoltaic power generation.
Installation location of urban residential solar photovoltaic panels
Advantages of installation location for different types of residential buildings
In cities, family living environments are mainly divided into two categories: multi story or high-rise unit residential buildings and single story or multi story villa residential buildings. For villa type residences, the roof and surrounding open space are usually privately owned by the family, so solar panels can be installed on the roof or in the front open space facing the best direction.
For multi story or high-rise residential units, as residents usually do not have the right to use the roof, solar panels can be considered to be installed on balconies, external windows, or exterior walls facing the best direction.
To improve the efficiency of solar photovoltaic power generation, the following points need to be considered when installing solar panels:
(1) Best direction selection: Determine the optimal installation direction for solar panels based on local latitude.
(2) Azimuth: In the Northern Hemisphere (such as China), the azimuth of solar panels should be as close to the south as possible. The azimuth angle is the angle between the vertical plane of the solar panel and the due south direction.
(3) Tilt angle: The tilt angle of a solar panel is the angle between the solar panel and the horizontal ground. The tilt angle should be adjusted to the angle that maximizes the power generation of the solar panel, which is related to the geographic latitude of the residence.
(4) The relationship between geographical latitude and inclination angle: The optimal installation inclination angle for major cities in China has been calculated and published based on geographical latitude. For example, the optimal inclination angle in Beijing is 43.80 degrees, and the optimal inclination angle in Chengdu is 32.67 degrees.
(5) Adjustment after installation: After installation, fine tune the azimuth of the solar panel through the measuring instrument to ensure the best power generation efficiency. Meanwhile, the tilt angle can be adjusted based on the measured maximum power generation.
Several precautions for selecting the installation position of 03 solar panels:
(1) When considering the installation location, it is also necessary to consider the impact of nearby buildings, trees, and other shadows on the solar panels receiving solar energy.
(2) When there is frequent snowfall, rainfall, and strong winds in the local area, solar panels should be installed firmly and measures should be taken to allow rainwater and snow water to flow automatically.
(3) The solar panels installed on the roof or outdoors should have lightning protection measures and can be reliably connected to the lightning protection and grounding devices on the roof or ground through metal conductors.
Precautions for choosing a household solar photovoltaic power generation system
(1) Personal safety impact
The selected photovoltaic panel combination voltage should adopt a safe voltage, and the safe voltage specified in China is 50V or below to prevent direct death or disability.
The wires in the system should be laid through pipes to increase safety.
(2) Impact on family environment
Consider the potential volatilization of gases from batteries and some electrical equipment, as well as the impact of gases generated by heating on the living environment. Batteries and electrical equipment should be installed outdoors, on roofs, or in well ventilated independent rooms as much as possible.
Select qualified and environmentally friendly electrical equipment and wires.
(3) Electrical protection measures
The household solar photovoltaic power generation system should be equipped with complete electrical protection facilities, such as circuit breakers, fuses, etc. The protective measures aim to prevent electrical equipment and wire failures from causing safety issues such as electrical fires and electric shock accidents.
