Full set of pictures of solar power generation equipment

What equipment do I need to go solar?

We'll break down everything you need to know about solar equipment to prepare you. You need solar panels, inverters, racking equipment, and performance monitoring equipment to go solar. You also might want an energy storage system (aka solar battery), especially if you live in an area that doesn't have net metering.

How do solar panels work?

Captures energy from the sun. Transfers solar energy into usable energy. Mounts your solar panels to your roof. Allows you to track the amount of energy your solar panels generate. Stores excess electricity for use later on. Your primary equipment decision is the brand and type of panels for your system.

How does a solar energy monitoring system work?

This nifty piece of solar energy equipment reports the hourly electricity production of your solar system. In addition to being a fun way to watch your panels power your home, monitoring systems allow you to recognize potential performance issues and ensure maximum electricity production.

What angle should solar panels face?

Solar panels will ideally face south at an angle of between 30 and 50 degrees. The term "racking" refers to a rooftop installation. There is also mounting equipment that is ideal for ground mount solar and solar carports, which can both serve the same purpose of maximizing the angle of the panels for sunlight exposure.

Which mounting equipment is best for a solar carport?

There is also mounting equipment that is ideal for ground mount solar and solar carports, which can both serve the same purpose of maximizing the angle of the panels for sunlight exposure. With ground-mount solar, you can choose between fixed and track mounts.

What factors should you consider when choosing a solar panel?

Some factors to consider as you weigh your options are efficiency, cost, warranty, and technology type. Solar panels will generally be categorized as one of two technologies: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both types have the same function and are made from silicon cells, but the outward appearance and price differ significantly.