install solar panels: how to do it?

Photovoltaic panels for your garden : how to install them ?

Solar PanelsBy Mar 09, 2023

With the rising cost of energy and with more and more equipment and power tools for your garden, is it a good idea to install solar panels on your garden shed? Will you save money with photovoltaic panels? If so, which brands offer ready-to-install solar panel kits? Finally, what budget should you plan for your future self-consumption kit and how to install it easily ?

Before buying your solar panel kit : some practical advice

Yes, before you spend hours on the various websites offering solar panel kits, here are a few questions to ask yourself in order to choose the right ones for your garden shed.
First of all, can I install solar panels on the roof of the garden house? Is the roof strong enough, how much weight can it support?
How much electricity do I need to produce to meet the electrical needs of my garden and tools ?

The roof of your garden shed supports your solar system

Here, the same principles apply for a solar installation on your garden shed as for a large photovoltaic installation on your house. The roof pitch should be approximately 30 to 35 degrees. In the case of a flat gable roof or a garden shed with a pitched roof, you can achieve the corresponding slope by placing supports for the solar panels. The orientation of the roof surface is more important.

A shed with a southern orientation for your photovoltaic panels should be preferred as much as possible. If the roof of the shed is southwest or southeast, you can expect lower electrical yields.

Here is an example of solar production: for 100 watts of power from the solar system, you need about 120 x 55 centimeters of suitable roof surface.

In addition, the roof surface should not be shaded by other buildings or trees. This will limit your production and the yield of your solar panels.

Solar panel installation for comfort and energy saving

The installation of a solar panel on your garden shed allows you to use the energy of the sun’s rays to maintain your garden and outdoor space. It is then possible to use solar energy to operate your motorized garden tools: electric mower, chainsaw, brushcutter, trimmer, hedge trimmer … The solar energy from the solar panel can also be used to heat the pool, clean the yard with a pressure washer…

Installing solar panels on a garden shed or on the roof of your house can also reduce your electricity bill, switch to self-consumption, have energy reserves to sell…

To better manage your energy consumption, you can install a solar panel on the roof of your house. To do this, go to a site specializing in the sale of solar panel kits. Use the platform’s solar panel range comparator to find the materials that meet your expectations: dimensions, power, ease of installation…

If you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, you can install a solar panel on the roof of your house yourself. In this case, choose a solar kit with a well thought-out and easy-to-understand pre-wiring and pre-assembly system.

If you are not a do-it-yourself enthusiast, choose a solar kit offer with installation included.

What production with your future solar panels?

Solar systems for garden sheds are available in different power ratings. It makes a big difference when choosing and purchasing your solar equipment if you only want to run the pond pump or listen to the radio while gardening. Think about which appliances need to be operated regularly and simultaneously and what their energy requirements are.

This is important in order to choose a sufficiently large solar system for your garden shed.

For example, if you need to recharge the batteries of your lawnmower, hedge trimmer, etc. a lot, you need an adequate photovoltaic system. This way you don’t have to rely on the traditional electricity network and you can save money.

Tips for estimating your electricity needs

The required size of a solar installation for the house or garden shed depends on the electricity consumption. It is also determined by the surface of the roof. As an example, a 350w solar panel measures 1.7m by 1m wide.

As an indication, 12 volt modules with a power of 100 watts are enough to power an economical LED light, but also a small bluetooth radio and a small pump.

Add up the consumption of all the devices you want.

If possible, plan an installation that is a third larger in order to produce enough electricity even in bad weather.

Also, a storage battery should be at least one third larger than the consumption of the devices that are running all the time.

Batteries to store excess production

A solar installation only produces electricity when there is enough sunlight. As soon as the sun is not so strong or on a grey day, for example, the production decreases. If a refrigerator has to be powered or if the garden and shed lighting has to be operated in the evening, a model with batteries is necessary.

This way you can store the energy created perfectly and use it according to your needs. With a battery system you lose almost nothing.

What does a self-consumption kit consist of?

When you buy a complete kit, it usually consists of the following elements

  • the solar panels
  • one or more micro inverters or a central inverter
  • the supports to fix all this to your roof
  • the cables
  • screws and bolts
  • some kits propose a box to follow the production

Obviously, depending on the number and brand of panels the price can vary considerably. The more your material can produce, the more expensive it will be.

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JENNIFER BIO
Author

I'm Jennifer. My hands are often covered in soil, and my heart is full of passion for nature. Through my writings, I share my personal gardening journeys, tips, and the joy of cultivating both plants and a community of fellow garden lovers. Every plant I grow adds a story to my life, and I love sharing those tales with my readers.