Installing solar panels is a good option if you want to trim utility bills and do something beneficial for the environment in the process. But it’s important to make the switch to solar energy as safe and seamless as possible. Hence, we will discuss 8 reasons you need a thorough solar panel inspection.
1. To Ensure Your Solar System Is Well Connected to the Grounding System
The grounding system in your home serves to redirect a sudden electrical surge to the ground. Earth doesn’t conduct electricity well, so it is a good place to move all the excess current.
When putting up your solar panels, you need to bond them to your home’s grounding system through an equipment grounding conductor (EGC). This EGC contains all metal parts of your solar system. So, you need to connect it to an electrical system in your home and ground it safely.
When installing your solar panels, you need a team of experts to inspect the grounding and bonding of the solar installation. They will see if all the equipment is working properly.
2. To Check Your Solar Module Wiring
Each solar panel, or module, in your system, has to be wired properly. But solar panel wiring is a complex system.
You want every module to be wired to an inverter that transforms solar energy into electrical current. So, the second of 8 reasons you need a thorough solar panel inspection is to check if that connection is stable upfront.
3. To Review the State of Your Junction Box
The Junction box, or the “Jbox” as some call it, contains all the electrical wires from the solar modules. It is an important element that needs to be in a good state since it keeps all the cables safe from the elements.
In the Junction box, the wires from the panels hook to diodes. Diodes keep the power flowing in one direction and help keep the cables well organized.
So, through an inspection, you will ensure that the Junction box is safely attached to the solar panel and that the wires are properly connected to the diodes.
4. To Check Your Over Current Protection Device
With Solar Panels, you also get an over current protection device. And as you have probably already guessed, this device keeps your home safe from short circuits and over current damage.
It would be best to inspect the over current protection device to see if the breakers are the proper size and model. This way, you can rely on the equipment to work well when needed.
5. To Inspect the Roof
Another one of 8 reasons you need a thorough solar inspection is to check the roof beforehand and make sure it can bear the weight of your solar array. The examination might reveal you need to do some roof repairs before you install the panels.
6. To Examine the Frame
Furthermore, the panels are fixed to your roof by a large metal frame. So, you need to think about exposure to elements, structural integrity, and simple wear and tear. The experts can examine this frame and ensure it is safe and secure.
7. To Level the Arrays
Experts will also see that the solar panels are level throughout and that the cells are working properly. If there’s any loose wiring, they will reveal and secure them. Also, an inspection will check the distance between modules to ensure the best efficacy.
8. To Reveal Discrepancies
An inspection will reveal the potential differences between the computer-assisted solar panel design and the actual job site. So, if you want to avoid issues and complicated repairs, consult with the experts ahead of time.
Conclusion
Solar Panels should last you a couple of decades. We hope that this list of 8 reasons you need a solar panel inspection will help you head off any potential problems so you can enjoy your solar system in the years to come.
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