Solar panel for the plot is a way to power devices with electricity sourced from renewable sources. Investors choose this solution to ensure energy independence. What should you know when opting for the installation of eco-friendly modules and what to pay attention to when purchasing them?
The operation principle of photovoltaic systems is to convert sunlight into electrical energy. This process occurs in photovoltaic cells (PV), which contain a semiconductor (usually silicon). Modules are installed in single-family homes, companies, and public institutions. Solar panels also work well on a plot. Installations are extremely popular because they allow significant savings in the budget.
What kit for a holiday cabin up to 35 m kw.?
To match a solar panel for the plot, you need to calculate the total electricity demand. The easiest way is to estimate this by multiplying the nominal power of the devices by their daily operating time. It includes all the appliances that will be used. If we want the PV installations to become the main energy source, the best choice is two solar modules with a combined power of about 300 W. That should be more than enough to light rooms or power various devices, e.g., refrigerators, lawn mowers, computers, TVs. In addition, you should invest in two batteries with a total capacity of 440 Ah and an inverter with a continuous power rating of over 2 kW and a peak power of 4 kW.
You should also consider choosing between monocrystalline and polycrystalline products. The former are more expensive to produce but offer higher efficiency and a smaller footprint. For example, a solar battery for a plot with standard dimensions (about 100x165 cm) made from a monocrystalline silicon crystal delivers about 280 W, while a polycrystalline panel delivers about 250 W. It’s worth considering this issue when space for mounting cells is limited.
Solar kit for the plot – how to install it and what it consists of?
The panels come factory-ready for installation, and most people can set them up themselves. The kit includes: a gel battery for the plot, a charge controller (protecting against overvoltage from the collector and discharge of the energy storage), an inverter (its job is to convert DC voltage to AC at 230 V). To install the system, you do not need specialized tools – a screwdriver and a box-end wrench are enough. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and perform all steps in a strictly defined order. First, connect the charge controller and the battery. Then connect the panels to the controller. The final step is to pair the inverter with the battery.
Where is the best place to mount solar panels on the plot?
Modules are oriented to the south, and their tilt angle should be about 35 degrees. PV installations can be mounted on a cabin, provided the structure is in a sunny spot. When choosing a mounting system for a sloped roof, pay attention to the roofing material (e.g., metal roof tiles, ceramic or concrete tiles, corrugated sheets). A solar setup on the plot can also be attached to a wooden surface, roofing felt, or shakes, but in that case special brackets are used. For ground-mounted installations, a supporting structure on concrete foundations is required.
Does a solar panel for the plot work all year round?
Photovoltaics works most efficiently from March to October. During these months, the level of sunlight is optimal, so energy is continuously produced. This is good news, as holiday cabins are usually visited in the vacation season. In winter, solar batteries for the plot may be insufficient. Due to the limited amount of sunlight and heavy clouds, the cells do not reach maximum efficiency. In that case, use of the installation should be limited to powering a few devices. It may turn out that there is so little energy that the system switches itself off. Note that collectors do not deliver electricity when they are completely covered with snow. In such a situation, it is recommended to leave the modules, disconnecting the inverters and the regulator.
Thus, electricity from solar panels is an excellent solution for the plot. Renewable energy is a topic that is gaining popularity year by year. The Ministry of Energy forecasts that by 2040 the total power obtained through PV modules will exceed 20.2 GW. Thus, Poland has a chance to become a leader among European photovoltaic markets.
Source:
Poland’s Energy Policy to 2040, updated draft by the Ministry of Energy, 2019
