Solar PV Installation
Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems provide energy independence and offset electricity costs for years to come. By generating electricity directly from sunlight, solar PV provides a clean, renewable energy source to replace greenhouse gas emissions traditionally provided by an electric utility company. Our grid-tied solar PV installations work with your electric meter to ensure you always have your electrical needs met while also reducing your electric bill.
There are a number of components to each solar PV installation in order to have a safe and effective system:
Panels
A solar PV panel is the component that collects sunlight and converts that energy into direct current (DC) electricity. The panels are the most visible part of a Solar PV system, and work most efficiently when positioned towards the sun with little to no shade. Solar panels are sized by wattage, and are available from a number of manufacturers with different sizes, warranties, performance indicators and efficiency ratings. Strawberry Solar installs panels from a range of manufacturers and our sales team can help compare options.
Inverters
The solar PV inverter is a crucial component to your solar array, and is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity generated at the solar panel into alternating current (AC) electricity needed to power appliances in the home. The inverter is the brains of the entire system responsible for synchronizing solar PV electricity with utility grid electricity and are all designed with built-in safety features to protect the home. Warranty coverage for inverters range from 12-25 years, and Strawberry Solar always offers extensions to a warranty where available.
Strawberry Solar installs a variety of grid-tied inverter options:
String inverter with DC optimizers:
A string inverter (or multiple - depending on system size) is installed at a central point, typically outside near a utility meter or inside near an electric service panel, and connected to groups of solar PV panels strung together with DC electricity. While stringing panels, a DC Optimizer is installed at every panel as a component designed to increase energy output of each individual panel and provide independent performance monitoring and data communication to the inverter. The inverter then converts the optimized DC electricity into AC electricity and distributes it to the home electric service panel or back out to the grid.
Microinverters:
Microinverters are installed at each solar panel and convert the DC electricity generated at the solar PV panel to AC electricity immediately. Microinverters can be branched together and run to a communication hub before the electric service panel in order to provide system and individual panel performance monitoring and data communication. These options work better on a more complicated roof where it is difficult to string panels together, or smaller systems where minimum string requirements can’t be met. Systems that utilize microinverters can also be expanded on with ease.
Battery-ready Options:
Both the string inverter with DC optimizers and microinverters can be battery storage compatible. In some cases, a specific inverter option is required in order to tie a battery in. A member of the Strawberry Solar sales team can assist in determining the right inverter for an installation that includes battery storage.
Racking/Mounting
Solar PV panel installations can be fairly versatile, and depending on available roof space, land, or sunlight access, can be installed as a roof mount or ground mount. Roof-mounted solar arrays require less components and installation time, but are limited in size to the roof space available and limited in performance to the orientation, pitch and shade on a roof. Ground mount arrays require additional costs, but location, pitch and orientation are flexible to provide increased production of the system as a whole. A member of the Strawberry Solar sales team can help determine the best racking/mounting options for individual properties.