Now is the time we should be thinking Green & Clean. So, if you’re looking at Solar Energy as your alternative energy option - Take Pride!! it is a good start. And you know what they say – “Well begun is half done!”
It is very important to have few checks of your own before you approach
an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction Company) or installation contractor. This will give you better understanding on how the project will be planted on your roof and help you identify any misleading information during discussions with your EPC or contractor, hence making you a smart consumer.
First things first, you need a detailed understanding of your own roof
1. What is the condition of your roof?
Whether your roof needs repairs or whether it is in ready state for an installation. Now when I say, ‘ready for installation’ it means that the roof is firm with RCC (reinforced cement concrete) flooring or in case of slant shed - the tiles, PVC membranes, steel, etc. are properly fixed without any functional threats, also there’s no leakage as rains last long in India
2. What is the direction of the slant of your roof?
In case of slant shed type roof there’s quite a saving on fabrication part
Which is usually required to give an inclination to Solar panels. The suggested direction to generate maximum energy is the panels facing South – and if your roof is facing some other direction, it’ll still require that fabrication we talked about.
Moving to some more details;
3. How much shadow free roof is available to you?
Any site survey will and must include the shadow free area available on the roof. Huge shadows are casted by giant constructions like buildings & towers or age-old trees which are grown naturally for long time and which shouldn’t be cut for any other gain. This area will generally be out of scope or your control, as the solar panels need to be placed where sunlight is available for maximum time of the day.
4. What are possible natural threats to your solar panels?
To start with, you need to know what the wind speed at your roof is? – this will decide the type of sturdy fabrication required to hold your panels during heavy winds. If your site is located near sea-shore, you need to know if there are any hurricane threats during monsoon, or how much damage does it cause to steel constructions.
Now considering inside requirements,
5. What load are you expecting to be run by solar energy?
You must be sure of what kind of phase connection (Single/Three) is available at your site, and whether or not you want to store the energy for night-time as well. The amount of electrical load could be finalized later depending upon the expense budget, roof area available, etc. parameters. But you must have a rough idea of what is the current required your equipment – AC or DC, this will clarify the requirement of added support systems like inverter, etc.
Hope this will help you in your planning of solar project!
We’ll be posting more on such topics, stay in touch and let us know what questions you come across for your solar energy plan!