Please can you check the FAQS below as these may help with your issue.

Panels

Where is the best place to install solar panels?

Solar panels are typically mounted on the roof of a building. They are usually placed about 10 cm away from the roof surface, with a gap between the panels and the roof. If the roof is flat, the panels are angled to maximize exposure to the sun. If you are planning to install solar panels before the roof is built, the roof can be designed to accommodate the panels by installing support brackets before the roofing materials are put in place. If the roof is already built, it is possible to retrofit panels onto most existing roof structures. However, in some cases, the roof may not be able to support the additional weight of the panels, in which case you may need to find another location or strengthen the roof structure before installing the panels.

What is the best area for solar panels?

The best area for solar panels is an area where they will receive maximum sunlight, with little or no shading from trees or other obstacles. In general, an area of about 20m² is needed for a 4KW solar panel system.

How large are solar panels and how much space is needed for a standard 4kW system?

A solar panel typically has an area of between 1.7m² and 2.1m². Smaller panels tend to have lower wattage and therefore more of them are needed to produce the same amount of energy as a larger panel. A standard 4kW solar panel system requires about 20m² of space. When installing solar panels, it is important to leave a border or gap around the edges of the roof. The exact size of this gap will depend on the specific characteristics of your roof and will be determined by a surveyor during a site visit.

Can I install panels on many different roofs?

There are a few ways to overcome some of the challenges that installers may face when working with multiple solar panels on different roofs. One option is to use a string inverter with multiple inputs, each of which has Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) capability. This allows different strings (not modules) to have different orientations, tilts, and module types without one string affecting the performance of the other. Another option is to add DC optimizers to the string inverter system. These are similar to micro-inverters and are installed at each module, allowing for individual adjustments to be made to the output.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) modules, use the science of photovoltaics to convert sunlight into electricity. They contain solar cells, which are made of layers of silicon and other semiconductor materials. When light enters the solar cells, it is absorbed and the energy excites the electrons within the silicon layers, causing them to flow through a circuit of wiring and into the PV system. This flow of electrons generates electrical power.

Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, which is characterized by the movement of electrons in a single direction. This is in contrast to the alternating current (AC) electricity used in most homes and appliances, where the electrons flow back and forth at a frequency of around 60 times per second. To be used in a home, the DC electricity produced by solar panels must be converted to AC by an inverter. Any excess AC electricity can be sold back to the grid.

A solar panel system, or PV array, consists of a collection of solar panels wired together in groups called strings. These strings are connected at a junction box, and the power is sent to the rest of the system components, usually at the ground level. The type of PV system (on-grid or off-grid) determines the first component that the supply lines connect to.

Is it better to use a string inverter or micro-inverters for a solar panel system?

While micro-inverters have some useful features, many industry experts, including the Callidus install team, prefer to use string inverters when designing solar systems. String inverters are known for their dependability and reliability, making them a reliable choice for the solar industry.