Schemes and methods of connecting solar panels: how to properly install a solar panel

How to choose and where to buy converters?

It will be cheaper to purchase photocells on Chinese Internet sites, although, of course, factory parts that are defective are often sold there. This is not bad for a start, especially since their price is lower. And after the experience in assembling batteries comes, you can take better parts from the factory.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with How to install a heating radiator in an apartment

Some sellers sell transducers all en masse sealed in wax so that they are not damaged during transportation, because silicon wafers are fragile, like crystal. Cleaning them from wax is a very time-consuming task.

First you need to immerse them in hot water and after the wax has melted, very carefully separate them.

You need to choose not only for the reasons that you liked this particular product - you must definitely pay attention to the reviews and rating of the seller. If there is no desire to overpay for the product twice due to paid shipping, you need to see if the selected product has the “free shipping” option

If not, this is not a suitable option, as it is too costly.

Money for the goods must be transferred immediately. The seller will receive them only after confirmation of receipt of the goods by the buyer. You can pay directly with a payment card or through intermediate services - it all depends on the degree of trust in such online trading resources. You can also return the goods, but it is better to immediately buy from a seller with a good reputation in order to avoid litigation regarding the return. The parcel can go for a month or a month and a half - this is already in the power of the post office.

Installation steps

Of course, these are conditional figures: in reality, there are many corrections in the calculations. Of course, most solar panels are made in China.

Amorphous batteries are still exotic in terms of cost. Connecting solar panels to the network Beforehand, fuses must be installed between all elements of the system.

You can correct the slope of the batteries four times: in mid-April, late August, early August and March. The main requirements when using the controller are the power of the connected panels over 1 kW and the distance between the batteries at a sufficiently large distance. The issue can also be resolved by installing cut-off diodes.

A battery is a chemical current source that stores the generated electricity. First you need to analyze how many kilowatts you need to get from the system per day. Tools needed for assembly: file; hacksaw with blade 18; drill, drills 5 and 6 mm; wrenches; Stages of Assembly Assembly consists of several stages: First you need to determine the dimensions of the frame frame.

News and information

Today, installing solar panels on an individual basis has become commonplace. If you plan to use one solar panel, then everything is clear. Electrical appliances in offline mode work the longer, the larger the capacity of the battery. The battery can be placed on the roof of a balcony or loggia, if it is the top floor of a private house or the apartment is located on the top floor.

When choosing this method of generating energy into the network, be prepared for the fact that you will have to issue a permit in the local power grids. The panels are connected to a device that controls the level of stored electricity, called a controller, connected to the battery. This can be considered a prejudice, since the reliability of modern solar systems is quite high. Video: How to connect solar battery to battery The picture below shows a set of power plants, consisting of the following devices: Elements that absorb natural light and convert it into electrical energy, that is, solar panels. Wiring diagram Wiring diagram for joint venture.

Features and types

Before you install solar panels, you need to calculate the capacity of the batteries.The main requirements when using the controller are the power of the connected panels over 1 kW and the distance between the batteries at a sufficiently large distance. The issue can also be resolved by installing cut-off diodes. This is required to simplify the cleaning of the panels from traces of precipitation, which significantly reduce the efficiency of the batteries. And from them - to the inverter. It is quite simple to make such a connection, but the output will be 24 V.

Therefore, it is better to buy ready-made photocells

Please note that if you do not leave a gap between the roof and panels for air circulation, the modules will overheat and burn out. To connect, use wires with a cross section corresponding to the power of the controller

When connecting solar panels to the network, it is better to choose a mixed scheme, since it is optimal.
Switch box for solar panels

Types of photocells

Solar panels consist of several panels equipped with photocells, which are of various types and sizes:

Compact single-crystal, consisting of many cells, are lightweight, but in cloudy weather they produce little energy for a country house.

With the previous ones, polycrystalline panels are similar in composition, less dependent on the direction of the sun's rays, since the crystals are directed in different directions, due to which more rays are captured.

With the same characteristics, the next type of panels - thin-film, will require a larger area for installation in the house. They resemble a film that can be stretched anywhere, cost less, are less dependent on cloudiness (losses are only up to 20%), but their effectiveness decreases with dustiness.

Solar panels are also used when there is no possibility to connect to a conventional network. You can install picky sources on the balcony, on the roof or directly on the suburban area.

In other words, the surface of the elements should be directed to the south, so that the maximum number of rays hit it. The angle of inclination should be 90 degrees.
In order for the solar system for the house to work at maximum power, it is recommended to change its location in summer and winter.

It is also necessary to remember that photocells should not come into contact with low temperatures. Therefore, the structures are not installed directly on the ground, but fixed at four points at a height of 50 cm.

To avoid damage, it is recommended to fix the photocells on the long side, individually choosing the method: bolts (attached through the frame holes), clamps, etc.

Video: How to connect a solar panel to a battery

The picture below shows a set of power plants, consisting of such devices:

1. Elements that absorb natural light and convert it into electrical energy, i.e. solar panels.
2. The panels are connected to a device that controls the level of stored electricity, called a controller, connected to the battery. It monitors the battery voltage: when the battery is recharged during the day (14 volts at the terminals), it automatically turns off charging, and at night, in case of discharge, i.e. extremely low voltage of 11 volts, stops the operation of the power plant.
3. The storage of generated energy is a battery.
4. The inverter is designed to change the type of current from direct to alternating, which is necessary for the operation of electrical equipment in a country house, household appliances, and lighting.For all devices will have to allocate space.

To protect against short circuits, it is recommended to add fuses between all listed devices in the connection diagram.

The diagram looks like this in the simplest case:

There are no difficulties, as you can see, with such a connection scheme. The main thing is to observe the polarity and the correct connection of the plugs (into the appropriate connector). If they want to use solar energy in a country house at the same time as a fixed network, the connection diagram will look different:

The load reserved in this case is a refrigerator, boiler or emergency lighting. Non-reserved refers to the light in the room, household appliances, etc. Electrical appliances in offline mode work the longer, the greater the capacity of the battery.
Having figured out how the connection scheme works, you need to understand how to connect the panels to each other.

Recommended:

• DIY solar battery
• DIY solar battery at home: instructions
• Solar Powered Fountain Advantages and Disadvantages

Economic feasibility

Using this panel connection scheme, we can regulate the voltage and current at the output of several panels from the system, which will allow us to select the most optimal operating mode for the entire solar power plant. Battery pack.
It involves the use of a porous fiberglass filler-separator. Rubber gloves - so as not to smear the solar cells, especially their front part.
It must maintain the overall power of the power supply system, provide battery charge and correctly distribute the power flow while consuming and charging. It consists in adding 4-grade silicon oxide to the electrolyte, which contributes to the transition of the electrolyte to a gel state.
If you are a resident of the Moscow region, then your angle of inclination will be degrees in summer, and from 60 to 70 degrees in winter. That is what we will talk about in this article.
Exist flexible solar panels based on amorphous silicon. In some cases, consumers powered by direct current are connected directly to the modules.
And mono- can be distinguished by the shape - it is not square, but octagonal, and the price for them is higher.
First, a voltage of 12 or 24 V from batteries is applied to the first pair of terminals.
Switch box for solar panels

Collector heating system

The greatest efficiency and return can be achieved by installing collectors instead of solar modules - outdoor installations in which water is heated under the influence of solar radiation. Such a system is more logical and natural, since it does not require heating of the coolant by other devices.

Consider the design and principle of operation of devices of two main types: flat and tubular.

Flat version for DIY

The design of flat installations is so simple that experienced craftsmen assemble handicraft analogues with their own hands, buying some of the parts in a specialized store, and building some from improvised material.

Inside a steel or aluminum insulated box, a plate is fixed that absorbs solar heat. Most often it is covered with a layer of black chrome.The top of the heat sink is protected by a sealed transparent cover.

Water is heated in tubes laid in a snake and connected to the plate. Water or antifreeze enters the box through the inlet pipe, heats up in the tubes and moves to the outlet - to the outlet pipe.

The light transmission of the cover is due to the use of a transparent material - durable tempered glass or plastic (for example, polycarbonate). So that the sun's rays are not reflected, the glass or plastic surface is matted (+)

There are two types of connection, one-pipe and two-pipe, there is no fundamental difference in the choice. But there is a big difference in how the coolant will be supplied to the collectors - gravity or using a pump. The first option is recognized as inefficient due to the low speed of water movement; according to the principle of heating, it resembles a container for a summer shower.

The operation of the second option occurs due to the connection of a circulation pump, which supplies the coolant forcibly. The solar energy system can become a source of energy for the operation of pumping equipment.

The temperature of the coolant when heated by a solar collector reaches 45-60 ºС, at the outlet the maximum indicator is 35-40 ºС. To increase the efficiency of the heating system, along with radiators, “warm floors” are used (+)

Tubular collectors - a solution for the northern regions

The general principle of operation resembles the functioning of flat counterparts, but with one difference - the heat exchange tubes with the coolant are inside the glass flasks.The tubes themselves are feather, sealed on one side and resembling feathers in appearance, and coaxial (vacuum), inserted into each other and sealed on both sides.

Heat exchangers are also different:

• a system for converting solar energy into thermal energy Heat-pipe;
• a conventional tube for moving a U-type coolant.

The second type of heat exchangers is recognized as more efficient, but not popular enough due to the cost of repairs: if one tube fails, the entire section will have to be replaced.

The Heat-pipe is not part of a whole segment, so it can be changed in 2-3 minutes. Failed coaxial elements are repaired by simply removing the plug and replacing the damaged channel.

A diagram explaining the cyclical nature of the heating process inside the vacuum tubes: the cold liquid heats up and evaporates under the influence of solar heat, giving way to the next portion of the cold coolant (+)

After analyzing the technical characteristics of collectors of various types and summarizing the experience of their use, we decided that flat collectors are more suitable for the southern regions, and tubular collectors for the northern regions. Especially well proved in the conditions of a severe climate of an installation with heat-pipe system. They have a heating capacity even on cloudy days and at night, "feeding" on a minimal amount of sunlight.

An example of a standard scheme for connecting solar collectors to boiler equipment: a pumping station provides water circulation, a controller regulates the heating process

Connecting solar panels to the network

The remaining free wires are output to the controller.

The installation of solar heat and light sources on the loggia or on the balcony takes place according to a similar scheme. Battery Types The most popular type of battery in the solar industry is the sealed lead acid battery, which is produced using 2 different technologies: Gelled Electrolite.

Advantages Table 2. When assembling a solar power plant, each device should be kept in mind, even if a specific connection does not concern it.

Flux flux marker - must be neutral, otherwise the soldered contacts will quickly oxidize. Parallel-serial connection of solar panels 24V W. The diode allows electricity to bypass the shaded panel. The table shows the best recommendations.

The task of the inverters is to convert the DC voltage from the battery into AC voltage V. It involves the use of a porous fiberglass filler-separator.

Figure 1. This is a day of operation of electrical appliances with non-stop consumption of watts. First, a solar panel connection scheme is developed, which allows you to get the maximum efficiency from them. The main parameters of such a block are: working capacity, charge current, discharge current. Let's give an example on two solar panels with a power of 12V.

News and information

The efficiency of solar power plants in the middle latitudes is great, but not enough to fully provide electricity to large houses. Figure 4. If the solar modules are connected incorrectly, household appliances and component stations may fail.

Several suggestions will appear on the screen.So, in order to connect batteries in parallel, the maximum output current must correspond to the current of the MPPT controller and vice versa, to connect solar modules of different power in series, the MPPT controller must have a higher operating voltage than the sum of the open circuit voltage of the two modules. If you need to connect several solar panels, then you need to use one of the following schemes for connecting solar panels: Parallel. The soldering of elements in the case of their serial connection is carried out according to the following scheme.
Solar panels. How to make a cheap and efficient solar power plant. Connection life hack

How does a solar battery work?

Solar energy is converted in serially connected photovoltaic cells. Consider the principle of operation of a solar battery at the level of photovoltaic cells. The basis of the photocell is a silicon crystal. Silicon compounds are very common in nature. The most famous is silicon oxide or sand. A silicon crystal can be simplistically called a large grain of sand. Crystals are grown artificially in the laboratory. Usually they are obtained in a cubic form, and then on plates. The thickness of these plates is only 200 microns. It is 3-4 times thicker than a human hair.

The principle of operation of the photocell

On the resulting silicon wafers, a layer of boron is deposited on one side, and phosphorus on the other. There is an excess of electrons at the points of contact between the silicon wafer and boron. On the other side, along the border of the silicon wafer with phosphorus, electrons are missing. There are formed "holes", as they are commonly called. Such a docking of boundaries with an excess number of electrons and their deficiency is called a p-n junction.

The power of a single photovoltaic cell is small, and the voltage is about 0.5 volts. Therefore, they are sequentially combined into batteries of 36 pieces to get 18 volts at the output. This is enough to charge a 12 volt battery. Here you also need to take into account that the declared voltage and power will only be when the battery is operating at maximum efficiency, which is rare in real conditions. The assembled battery is placed on a substrate, covered with glass and sealed. The glass used must transmit ultraviolet light, since the solar battery also converts this part of the spectrum. The assembled batteries can be combined with each other in series and parallel chains. It turns out a small solar power plant.

Today, solar panels are installed in their homes and cottages to save electricity. Such miniature solar systems operate all year round. The main thing is that the surface of the panels is clean and the sun is shining. In some cases, their efficiency is higher on a frosty sunny day than on a summer one. This is due to the fact that the heating of solar modules somewhat reduces the efficiency of their work.

Solar system: solar panels and collectors

It should be noted right away that it is impossible to completely abandon electricity from centralized networks. But, by installing a solar panel, it will be possible to significantly save on utility costs. The option, of course, is not suitable for an apartment. It is normal to operate such a system only in a country house or in a country house, where there is enough space for installing solar panels.

With regard to the installation of solar panels, the following points should be noted here:

• Panels should be installed on the south side of the roof, facade or on the site with the south side;
• The angle of inclination corresponds to the value of the latitude of your region;
• There should be no objects nearby that cast a shadow on the solar panels;
• The surface of the panels must be regularly cleaned of dirt and dust;
• It is desirable to use systems with tracking the position of the sun.

Now you understand the principle of solar panels and their capabilities. It is clear that one should not abandon the centralized supply of electricity. Modern solar systems are not yet able to fully provide the house with energy in cloudy weather. But as part of a combined power supply system at home, they are very appropriate.

This is interesting: How does a CFL lamp work and why is it good?

Pros and cons of an alternative heating system

There are not so many advantages of a solar heating system, but each of them is significant and can be a reason for private experiments:

• environmental benefits. It is safe for the residents of the house and the environment, a clean source of heat that does not require the use of traditional fuels.
• Autonomy. The owners of the systems are absolutely independent of energy prices and the economic situation in the country.
• Profitability. While maintaining the traditional heating system, it becomes possible to reduce the cost of paying for hot water supply.
• Publicity. Installation of solar systems does not require permission from government authorities.

But there are also unpleasant moments that can spoil the overall picture. For example, to determine the efficiency of the system, a long period will be required - at least 3 years (provided that there is enough solar energy and it is actively used).

Installing only solar modules will require large investments: the cheapest silicon panels will cost at least 2200 rubles. per piece, and polycrystalline six-diode elements of the first category - up to 17,000 per piece. Calculating the cost of 30 modules is quite simple (+)

Users note the following disadvantages:

• high prices for the equipment needed to put the system into operation;
• direct dependence of the amount of heat produced on the geographic location and weather;
• obligatory availability of a backup source, for example, a gas boiler (in practice, a solar system often turns out to be a backup).

To achieve greater returns, you have to regularly monitor the health of the collectors, clean them of debris and protect them from ice formation in frost. If the temperature often drops below 0ºС, you need to take care of additional thermal insulation not only of the elements of the solar system, but also of the house as a whole.

Location selection

The gap between the panels and the surface is required

• geographic;
• private.

Solar panels need to be placed not just in illuminated places, but also at a specific angle. This is especially true for monocrystalline panels.

Please note that if you do not leave a gap between the roof and panels for air circulation, the modules will overheat and burn out.

• for latitude up to 25 °, its value must be multiplied by 0.87;
• for a latitude between 25° and 50°, multiply the value by 0.76 and add 3.1 degrees.

If this problem cannot be solved, then it is better to install the panels not on the roof, but on separate poles in the yard.

How does the battery charge controller work?

In the absence of sunlight on the photocells of the structure, it is in sleep mode. After the rays appear on the elements, the controller is still in sleep mode. It turns on only if the accumulated energy from the sun reaches 10 V voltage in electrical equivalent.

As soon as the voltage reaches this indicator, the device will turn on and through the Schottky diode will begin to supply current to the battery. The process of charging the battery in this mode will continue until the voltage received by the controller reaches 14 V. If this happens, then some changes will occur in the controller circuit for a 35 watt solar battery or any other. The amplifier will open access to the MOSFET transistor, and the other two, weaker ones, will be closed.

Thus, the battery will stop charging. As soon as the voltage drops, the circuit will return to its initial position and charging will continue. The time allotted for this operation to the controller is about 3 seconds.

Stages of installation work

So, before installing panels on the roof of a residential building yourself, you must make sure of the following:

• The roof is able to withstand the weight of the frame structure and the battery itself, which you are going to install.
• Nearby objects will not cast a shadow on the surface of the batteries. Firstly, an insufficient amount of solar energy will reduce the efficiency of devices, and secondly, some panels will not work at all if a shadow falls on at least a small part of the surface. And, thirdly, the solar battery can generally fail in this case due to the so-called "stray currents".
• Gusts of wind will not be a threat to the autonomous system (the installed structure should not be a sailboat).

• You can easily take care of the surface of solar panels (clean them from dirt, clean off snow, etc.).

Based on all these points, you first need to choose the right place for yourself where it is better to install the system on the roof of the house. It should be immediately noted that the system should be located on the south side of the building, since it is this area that accounts for the maximum amount of solar energy per daylight hours.

After you decide exactly where the panels (or collectors) will be placed, you need to move on to assembling the frame structure and installing it on the roof. Be sure to use only metal corners and profiles. It is not recommended to make a frame from a bar, because. it will lose its strength properties faster. It is best to use a square profile 25 * 25 mm or a corner, but at this stage everything is purely individual - if you decide to install a large area solar panel, the profile section should be an order of magnitude larger.

Special attention should be paid to the angle of inclination of the panels to the horizon plane, in other words, to the earth's surface. For each region, the conditions are slightly different, but usually in the spring it is recommended to install solar panels at an angle of 45 degrees, and closer to autumn 70-75

That is why you need to think about the design of the frame in advance so that you can manually choose at what angle to install the system under the sun. Usually the frame is made in the form of a triangular prism and is attached to the roof with bolts.

We immediately draw your attention to the fact that on a flat roof or on the ground it is not necessary to carry out horizontal installation of panels. In winter, you will have to constantly remove snow from the surface, otherwise the system will not work.

Another equally important requirement is that there must be air space between the roof and the solar battery (relevant if you decide to install the panel without a frame on a flexible or metal tile). If there is no air space, heat dissipation will worsen, which can further damage the system in a short period of time! The exception is roofs made of slate or ondulin, which, thanks to the wavy structure of the roofing material, will independently provide air entry

Well, the last important point of installation - solar panels must be mounted in a horizontal position (long side along the house). If this rule is neglected, uneven heating of the upper and lower areas of the panel may occur, which will significantly reduce the efficiency of using an autonomous power supply system or heating a private house.

You can install the power supply system of the site on the masts and the wall in this video:

That's all I wanted to tell you about how to install solar panels for your home with your own hands! We hope that the provided instruction with photo reports and video tutorials was interesting and useful for you!

Also read:

• How to pay less for electricity legally
• How to choose solar panels for your home
• How to make a LED spotlight with your own hands
• Solar panels connection diagrams

Tips

Experts give several recommendations on how to properly lay and connect solar panels.

Most often, products using alternative energy sources are mounted on the roof or on the walls of housing construction, less often they use special reliable supports.

In any case, any blackouts should be completely excluded, that is, the batteries should be oriented in such a way that they do not fall under the shadow of tall trees and neighboring buildings.
The installation of a set of plates is carried out in rows, their arrangement is parallel, in this regard, it is extremely important to ensure that the higher rows do not cast a shadow on those below. This requirement is very important, since complete or partial shading provokes a reduction and even a complete cessation of any energy production, in addition, the effect of the formation of "reverse currents" can occur, which often causes equipment breakdown.

Proper orientation to sunlight is critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of the panels.

It is very important that the surface receives all possible UV rays. The correct orientation is calculated based on data on the geographical location of the building

For example, if the panels are mounted on the north side of the building, then the panels should be oriented to the south.
Equally important is the overall angle of inclination of the structure, it is also determined by the geographical orientation of the structure. Experts calculated that this indicator should correspond to the latitude of the location of the house, and since the sun, depending on the time of year, changes its location above the horizon several times, it makes sense to consider adjusting the final installation angle of the batteries. Usually the correction does not exceed 12 degrees.

• The batteries must be laid in such a way as to provide free access to them, since in the cold winter time it will be necessary to periodically clean them from attacking snow, and in the warm season - from rain stains, which significantly reduce the efficiency of using batteries.
• To date, there are many Chinese and European models of solar panels on sale, which differ in cost, so everyone can install the model that is optimal for their budget.

In conclusion, it should be noted that our planet will receive the greatest benefit from the use of solar panels, since this energy source does not cause absolutely any harm to the environment. If you, as a consumer, care about the future of our Earth, the potential of its land resources and the conservation of natural resources, then solar panels are the best choice.

How to install a solar battery on the roof of the house, see the following video.

How it works

The SBItak system, a solar battery, is a system of interconnected elements, the structure of which allows, using the principle of the photoelectric effect, to convert sunlight falling on them at a certain angle into electric current.

A system that converts sunlight into electrical energy consists of the following components:

1. Semiconductor material (tightly combined two layers of materials with different conductivity). It can be, for example, single-crystal or polycrystalline silicon with the addition of other chemical compounds that make it possible to obtain the properties necessary for the occurrence of the photoelectric effect.

   For the transition of electrons from one material to another, it is necessary that one of the layers has an excess of electrons, and the other one has a lack of them. The transition of electrons to a region with their deficiency is called a p-n transition.

2. The thinnest layer of an element that resists the transition of electrons (placed between these layers).
3. Power supply (if connected to the opposing layer, electrons can easily overcome this barrier zone). So there will be an ordered movement of infected particles, called electric current.
4. Accumulator (accumulates and stores energy).
5. charge controller.
6. Inverter-converter (converting the direct current received from the solar battery into alternating current).
7. Voltage stabilizer (designed to create a voltage of the desired range in the solar battery system).

Scheme of operation of a solar panel Photons of light (sunlight) falling on the surface of a semiconductor when colliding with its surface transfer their energy to the electrons of the semiconductor. The electrons knocked out by impact from the semiconductor overcome the protective layer, having additional energy.

Thus, negative electrons leave the p-conductor, passing into the conductor n, positive - vice versa. Such a transition is facilitated by the electric fields existing in the conductors at that time, which subsequently increase the strength and difference of charges (up to 0.5 V in a small conductor).

Intending to purchase a solar panel or make it, carefully calculate:

• the cost of such a battery and the necessary equipment;
• the amount of electrical energy you need;
• the number of batteries you need;
• number of sunny days per year in your area;
• the area you need to install solar panels.

Conclusion: checking the feasibility of installing solar panels

Before you start connecting a solar battery for your home, you should consider whether it will be beneficial:

• first you need to find out how many panels you need to purchase to get 1 kW of energy. Next, calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe "field" taking into account your energy consumption. First you will need to calculate how many kilowatts are spent daily. A standard panel produces about 0.12 kW per daylight hours. This way you can see how many panels are needed to provide the right amount of power. By the size of the panels, you can calculate how much area they will occupy. It should be borne in mind that for a more accurate calculation it is better to contact professionals. They will make all calculations taking into account the level of insolation in the area of ​​​​residence. In addition, experts will give recommendations on the acquisition of the most suitable units. Read: Criteria for calculating a solar installation for a home.
• Calculate the average number of sunny days in a year. Then divide the cost of such an energy source by 25 years. Knowing how much energy can be obtained approximately per year, it is possible to calculate whether the money spent will pay off. It must be remembered that the sun is most active in summer.
• Even installing a small number of panels can reduce energy costs. Therefore, all possible options must be considered.