| Solar Powered Workshed: Positioning and Installing the Solar Rooftop Panel |
From "Solar Solutions"
episode SLR-103 |
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Homeowner Bill Blythe and consultant Jeff Gilbert get started on the installation. Blythe wants enough power in his workshed to power a few electrical tools and an overhead light. Gilbert recommends that Blythe oversize his solar panel -- that is, choose one that will provide twice the power needed for output by the other solar devices. This will also help compensate for the shade trees that surrounds Blythe's yard. To check the light and determine if enough solar light is available on the workshed roof, a solar pathfinder (figure A) can be used. After using the pathfinder, Gilbert determines that from 11 a.m. until nightfall, enough sunlight will reach the solar panel to provide the energy Blythe will need. With a system selected and a solar check performed, it's time to get started on the installation of the rooftop solar panel. Materials: 55-watt solar panel
1750-watt DC inverter
100 amp battery
Pre-mounted charge controller
Heavy-duty DC fuse
14-gauge stranded electrical cable
Heavy-duty welding cable
Overhead light fixture
Timer switch
Mounting hardware kit
Rubber butyl sealant
Screwdriver
Drill
Various nuts, bolts, screws and washers
Pencil or marker
Silicon caulk
Before wiring the solar panel, check the wiring diagram that comes with it for instructions. - Begin wiring the solar panel. Add water tight connector to seal one end of the junction box and protect it from moisture.
- Strip the wires and thread cable through junction box. Connect the red wire to the positive connection (figure B) and the black wire to the negative connection at the terminal posts. Use a screwdriver to tighten.
- Tighten the watertight connector, then begin mounting hardware to back of the solar panel.
- Bolt the support rails horizontally across the bottom of the solar panel (figure C), then bolt the support legs to the rails (figure D).
- With the legs in place, position the solar panel on the roof (figure E). Add enclosed support "feet" to the bottom of the legs just long enough to mark the screw holes. After marking holes, remove the feet.
- Drill holes (figure F) for 2" screws. Tip: For greater strength and security, add wooden blocks to the inside of the ceiling that the screws can "grab".
- Add butyl adhesive to the bottom of the feet and attach the feet to the roof.
- Position the panel and legs atop the feet. Attach using standard nuts and bolts.
- Run wire from solar panel over roof and just under the overhang. Drill a small hole into the building interior just below the roof. Pass wire through hole to the interior (figure G).
- Seal the space surrounding the wire with silicon caulk and tack cable into place.
RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar
Solar Panels and Hardware (BP)
Model: SX-110
BP Solar (Solar Panels and Hardware)
Website: www.bpsolar.com
Solar Inverter, Converters and Charge Controllers (Xantrex)
SW Series Solar Installation Guides, Battery Specs for model 2580NC and PV Series
Xantrex
Website: www.xantrex.com
Solar Power System Consulting and Installation (Chesapeake Wind & Solar)
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
Solar Battery (Concorde)
100-AH (amp hour) deep-cycle sealed battery
Concorde Battery Corporation
Website: www.concordebattery.com
Photovoltaic (PV) Mounting Rack (UniRac)
Model: U-RV/20
Installation information available through UniRac web site.
UniRac
Website: www.unirac.com
Charge Controller (Morningstar)
Model: SunSave-6 (6 amp)
Morningstar Corporation
Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Phone: 215-321-4457
Fax: 215-321-4458
Email: info@morningstarcorp.com
Website: www.morningstarcorp.com
GUESTS :
Jeff Gilbert
Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder
Chesapeake Wind & Solar LLC
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
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