What Are The Installation Methods Of Solar Panels?

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The Different Installation Methods Of Solar Panels
The Different Installation Methods Of Solar Panels

The structures to support the photovoltaic panels

 Depending on your roof type, there are different support structures for your solar panels.

Ground installation

 In some circumstances, you can install your photovoltaic system directly on the ground, which is the most demanding condition. This installation requires fixing the so-called foundation plinths, on which the aluminum profiles will be mounted to give the correct inclination and direction to the ground mounted solar panels.

Mounting structures on the sloping roof

 Different from rv solar panel installation, The most classic type of installation for when your roof is sloping or sloping. The photovoltaic panels will be mounted on the profiles parallel to the roof. Dowels with special fastening structures will suffice to anchor the aluminum profiles to the roof.

Flat roof structures

If you have a terrace, in this case, the best choice falls on photovoltaic shelters or gazebos covered by photovoltaic panels.

On the other hand, if you want to cover part of the flat roof, the best choice is to opt for triangular structures to give a slope useful for improving photovoltaic production.

The environmental impact of photovoltaic panels

The creation of a solar module is a long and complex process divided into several stages:

  • Silicon manufacturing
  • Electrical circuit printout
  • Connection of photovoltaic cells

This manufacturing process requires considerable energy, especially in melting the glass and crystallizing the silicon. And it is for this reason that a path towards the almost total adoption of renewable energies has also started in the production of hybrid photovoltaic panels. Indeed, it can be seen how the production processes of solar panels are evolving year by year, becoming more and more efficient and consuming less and less energy.

Furthermore, it should also be specified that solar panels do not emit polluting substances when electricity is produced. Their production, transport, and recycling have a very low environmental impact. Moreover, during its life, a solar panel produces much more energy than is needed to manufacture it.

Therefore, its environmental impact is positive, and investing in a solar system is certainly the best choice because it’s good for the planet.

Disposal of solar panels

Before dealing specifically with the disposal processes of photovoltaic panels, it is good to know the “WEEE.” WEEE is the acronym for “waste electrical and electronic equipment,” Solar panels also fall into this category. The disposal of WEEE, and photovoltaics in particular, must take place according to environmentally respectful and compatible dynamics.

Assuming that all the materials that make up the photovoltaic panels are highly recyclable, as they are mainly composed of glass and aluminum, the modules broken down into various materials at the time of disposal reach a recycling rate of 95%.

We distinguish two types of photovoltaic WEEE based on their power:

  • “Professional” WEEE: waste generated by photovoltaic panels installed in plants with a nominal power greater than or equal to 10 kW.
  • “Domestic” WEEE: waste produced by solar panels installed in plants with a nominal power lower than 10 kW. The disposal of a domestic system must be taken over and carried out by the owner at the reference WEEE Collection Centre, easily traceable from the Coordination Centre’s official website. Since the disposal is the manufacturer’s responsibility, the cost will not be borne by the owner and will therefore be free.

To summarize, “domestic” photovoltaic WEEE, once it has reached the end of its life, must be taken by the Responsible Party to a Collection Centre, which can be easily traced by consulting the institutional website of the WEEE Coordination Centre. As previously mentioned, the producers bear the cost of disposal of “domestic” photovoltaic WEEE, as well as the recovery operations, which makes the operation free of charge for the owner of the solar system.

The discussion becomes different concerning the disposal of photovoltaic panels incentivized thanks to the Energy Bill. The incentive called Conto Energia consists of a financial contribution per kWh of energy produced for a specific period. Currently, the Conto Energia incentive is no longer applicable, and the last activation was in 2013. Therefore, if you have purchased a home solar system kit using a state incentive in Conto Energia, the GSE will retain during the last 10 years the right to incentive a part of the sum as a precaution in anticipation of the future disposal of the solar panels. Upon demonstrating the correct disposal of the system, the fee will be returned in a single solution, €12/”domestic” panel and €10/”professional” panel.

The Subject Responsible for “domestic” WEEE, at the time of disposal, will have the possibility of choosing between directly taking charge of the disposal of the panels and delivering them to an intermediary (which could be a trader, an institution, a company ) who will be in charge of carrying out the waste treatment operations. However, under current legislation, the initial producer – or the holder – still retains responsibility for the entire treatment chain, even if the disposal assignment is delegated to third parties.

The development trend of solar panels in 2023

One potential trend is the increasing efficiency of solar panels. There has been significant progress in developing more efficient solar panels, which can convert a higher percentage of sunlight into electricity. This has been achieved through the use of new materials and manufacturing techniques, such as perovskite solar cells and bifacial solar panels, which can capture sunlight from both sides.

Another trend is the growth of the solar energy market. Solar energy is becoming more affordable and accessible, which is driving demand for solar panels. As more individuals, businesses, and governments adopt solar energy, the market for solar panels is expected to continue to expand.

In addition, the integration of solar panels into buildings and other structures is becoming more common. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and other forms of integrated solar technology allow for more efficient use of space and can also improve the aesthetic appeal of buildings.

Finally, advances in energy storage technology are likely to have an impact on the development of solar panels. By combining solar panels with battery storage systems, it is possible to provide reliable, around-the-clock power, even when the sun is not shining.

Overall, the development trend of solar panels in 2023 is likely to be driven by a combination of increasing efficiency, growing demand, integration with buildings and other structures, and improvements in energy storage technology.

Frequent questions

What are the latest generation photovoltaic panels?

To date, by the latest generation solar panels, we mean those so-called “high-performance” panels. In particular, on the market, the latter can be found in Renogy efficient solar panels.

How to choose the best photovoltaic panels?

To make the best choice of solar modules, two fundamental criteria must be taken into account: the power (which must fall within a range between 320kW and 400kW) and the guarantee on the product and production (which must be at least 12/15 years for the product, and 25 years on production).