Photovoltaic Solar Panel Kits
How can electricity be produced with the sun’s rays?
How is it possible to produce electricity from photovoltaic panels? Here is how solar energy transforms in four steps:
When the sun shines, photons of sunlight hit the photovoltaic cells.
The light then circulates the electrons of silicon, a material used by photovoltaic panels.
The electrons contained in the panels move by producing a continuous electric current.
This direct electric current is transformed into alternating current thanks to a device installed in your house: the photovoltaic inverter (or micro-inverter).
It is imperative to transform the direct electric current into alternating current in order to be able to use it within your home.
What is the difference between a solar panel and a photovoltaic panel?
A solar panel uses energy from the sun to generate power. This can take two different forms: either thermal energy or electrical energy.
Asolar panel capable of producing heat is a thermal solar panel. Generally, these are used to create domestic hot water, and sometimes domestic heating.
The photovoltaic panel is intended for the production of electricity. This can be used to operate electrical household appliances. If an electric heater is installed in the dwelling, this electricity can be used for heating, but it is not the heat captured by the panel that is used directly.
The photovoltaic panel is therefore a type of solar panel, but it is not the only one that exists.
The benefits of panels
Installing solar panels in your home is advantageous for several reasons. Here are a few.
Long-term savings
First of all, it allows you to make significant energy savings (electricity and/or gas) if you choose self-consumption. In the event of total resale or resale of surplus, you generate additional income each year.
Even if the cost of a solar investment is significant, it is profitable. On average, it takes 10 to 15 years for the cost of the panels and the installation to be amortized. The service life of such an installation is 30-40 years, so you can get real benefits from it after several years.
Use of renewable energy
From an ecological point of view, installing panels allows you to use green energy on a daily basis and reduces your impact on the environment.
Even if their manufacture requires a significant amount of energy, the panels produce in the long term much more green energy than the fossil energy spent for their design. Their impact on the environment is largely positive.
Choose your offer for maximum profitability
The cost of the photovoltaic installation
A photovoltaic installation costs on average between €9,000 and €12,000 including tax for 3 kWp, installation included. The cost of this will depend on the type of panels you choose, the type of installation (integrated into the roof or fixed), and of course the number of panels to be installed.
Monocrystalline panels are for example more expensive than polycrystalline, but they are also more powerful. If you have a more limited budget and you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can opt for a solar kit, to install yourself. Be careful though: this will not allow you to benefit from state aid.
Note that the ENGIE My Power solution is available from €7,990 incl. VAT (for an installation of 6 panels of 370Wp, i.e. 2.22kWp). This price includes equipment, installation and support from A to Z. You can consult the details of the offer and request a free quote to get a better idea.
Adapt the number of photovoltaic panels to its consumption
If you plan to install photovoltaic panels in your home, an essential question arises: how many panels do you need?
Another question quickly arises when you want to install solar panels at home: what type of panels to choose? There are two main families: monocrystalline panels (black) and polycrystalline panels (blue). They both contain silicon, but are still very different:
Monocrystalline solar panels are made of a single crystal of silicon. All the crystals in the panel are oriented in the same direction. They produce more when they are in the presence of direct radiation.
monocrystalline_panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are composed of several crystals. They usually have a bluish tint, with the crystals facing outward. They capture indirect light more easily.
polycrystalline_panels
A third kind of sign exists, but it is less common. These are amorphous solar panels. These are composed of a thin layer of silicon: they are therefore light, thin and sometimes bendable. They are easy to make and do not require a lot of energy. Their main disadvantage is that their yield is significantly lower than crystalline panels. Anglais This is the reason why they are not often privileged.
You must therefore choose your solar installation model according to the type of sunshine you can expect.
Instructions for installing solar panels
The prerequisites for your installation
A few steps are necessary before even installing your panels.
Establish your needs
The first is to calculate your annual consumption in order to know your needs. This step allows you to know as precisely as possible the number of kW you need to produce per year for self-consumption.
If you want to sell all or part of your electricity production, try to anticipate as much as possible the income you want to generate over the year. This allows you to establish the necessary power you need to install.
Depending on the surface of your roof, you can also anticipate the number of panels you can install, and thus deduce the power required for each panel. This will give you an idea of the type of panels that are most recommended for you: as a general rule, individuals opt for polycrystalline or monocrystalline.
Do not hesitate to get advice from a professional to better understand your real needs.
It is then important to establish an inventory of your accommodation. By turning to a professional, a free diagnosis can be established. This allows you to check:
The area on your roof that can accommodate solar panels.
The orientation of it. A sunshine report can also help to anticipate the performance of your future panels.
The tilt. The best is 30°, but if this is not the case for you, that does not necessarily mean that you should give up on your project. The professional can guide you.
Shading verification. Depending on the season, some nearby trees could impact your production. It is then necessary to plan to prune them.
Once you have chosen the number and type of panels you need, you can move on to the next step: some administrative procedures. Here they are in detail.
Administrative procedures
Some administrative procedures are to be expected as part of your photovoltaic project. Note that by choosing the ENGIE My Power solution, these will be taken care of for you.
The declaration of works at the town hall
For a house equipped with solar panels, you must include this information in your building permit. On the other hand, if you have panels installed on an existing dwelling, you must make a request to your municipality by filling out a form. The review period is approximately one month.
Anglais The Consuel certificate of electrical conformity
In order to determine whether your installation complies with safety standards, it is necessary to have it certified by the Consuel, an official body.
The request for connection to the Enedis network
If you wish to sell your surplus electricity, you must submit a connection request so that the network manager checks the compliance of your installation. It is then possible to request commissioning, by attaching the Consuel certificate.
Installation of solar panels
Once you have fully established your needs and completed all the administrative procedures, you can start installing your panels. This can be done by yourself (with a number of precautions) or by a professional.
The skills needed to install panels
It should be noted that the installation and connection of panels requires a great deal of know-how and a certain number of very specific skills. Here are the elements that the person in charge of installing the panels must know:
- the roofing, in particular in the case of installation of panels integrated into the building
- the panel connection diagram
- the installation of an electrical inverter, as well as its connection
- knowledge of all electrical safety standards
- laying rails on a roof
- the use of a number of tools, such as the circular saw or grinder
- Essential tools for installation
Depending on the panel model you choose, the list of tools needed for installation may vary slightly. In general, you must still provide at least:
- A drill driver.
- Different tips are usually required.
- A grinder or grinder.
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers.
- A large scale.
A set of protective equipment. Gloves, goggles, but above all safety harnesses, essential when working on a roof. - A silicone extruder gun.
- A set of pipe wrenches and ring spanners.
- Steps for installing solar panels
If you are sure you have the required skills and you have managed to gather all the necessary tools, you can start installing the solar panels on your roof. Before starting, check the weather forecast carefully for several hours so as not to risk being trapped by the rain.
Remove some of the tiles
In the case of installing panels integrated into the building, for tiles or solar slates, you must start by removing some of the tiles from your roof. This operation is delicate, so it must be carried out with care. If done incorrectly, it can cause damage to the roof.
You need to accurately calculate the area you need to remove. It is advisable to remove a little more than necessary.
Put the flashings
Flashings, usually made of zinc or plastic, are used to connect the roof tiles and the solar installation. They provide watertightness, so this step is essential to prevent moisture from seeping into your home.
To install them correctly, you must fix the lower part and the side parts to the battens of the roof (with screws). If you don’t have any, add them to ensure good stability.
Install the waterproofing system
Solar panels are usually delivered with a plastic sealing film. You must therefore put it on your panels before fixing them on the roof. Often you have to screw the film ends to the battens.
Lay the rails and then the solar panels
Next, it’s time to lay the aluminum rails. These must support the panels and ensure their stability. The builder usually indicates whether they should be fixed to the rafters of the roof or directly to the waterproofing film.
This step is very important and must be carried out with the utmost precision. In particular, you must take into account the maximum gap between two rails and the maximum gap between each fixing to the rafter. The manufacturer provides this essential information.
Once the rails are properly laid and secure, you can place your solar panels on them and snap them into place. For this, use hooks or buttons. You can finally lay the upper flashing and replace the tiles that you had removed as a precaution.
Connect the solar panels
Finally, once all the installation of the panels has been carried out, you can move on to the last stage of the installation: the connection of the solar panels then their connection with the inverter.
This last step requires advanced knowledge in the field of electricity. Different electrical diagrams can be envisaged (in series or in parallel), and it is necessary to understand the implications of one and the other.
Once the panels are linked together, you can connect them to the inverter. Its role is to transform the direct current created by the photovoltaic panels into alternating current. It is imperative for you to use it in your home.
Contact a professional if you do not have the required skills
If you are not a DIY and electricity specialist, it is strongly recommended that you call on a qualified professional to carry out your solar panel installation. Before committing, check that it has the RGE QualiPV qualification. This label has several advantages:
It guarantees that the craftsman who carries out the work on your premises is qualified and that he knows the specifics of the installation of solar panels. It is a mark of quality.
This is essential if you want to benefit from certain state aid, or even local aid.
By carrying out the work of installing solar panels yourself, you run the risk of damaging your roof, making mistakes in the electrical connections and you can put yourself in danger if you do not respect all the safety rules. For all these reasons, we advise you to have this done by a professional.
Panel maintenance
It is very easy to properly maintain solar panels. This not only maintains their performance, but also maximizes their lifespan. For this, here are some recommendations.
First, do a visual check of your modules every year. This allows you to detect any deterioration of these, a fixing problem, the presence of plants or dead leaves.
Depending on where you live, your panels will be more or less soiled by dust or sand during the year. For some, rainwater is enough to wash, but sometimes you have to go further. In this case, use a soft cloth and lukewarm water (no soap). Avoid doing this in very hot weather: this risks causing thermal shock which can affect their operation. Finally, if you can’t reach your roof without climbing on it, don’t take unnecessary risks and go directly to a professional.
Finally, check your inverter every year: indicators, display, etc. Take the opportunity to dust it off too. Do the same with your battery if you have one.
Savings on your electricity bill
Regarding your electricity bill, you can save 1000 € / year on average. Several parameters are taken into account to calculate the profitability of your installation:
The inclination of your roof: ideally it should be 30°, combined with a south-facing orientation.
The shade of your home: the more direct the light, the more electricity you will produce.
The sunshine in your area.
Choose between self-consumption or resale
When you install photovoltaic panels in your home, you have the choice between consuming or selling your production. Here are some things to help you make your decision.
The total resale of the electricity produced
To be able to sell your electricity, you must have your panels installed by a contractor. It is then possible to sign a contract with EDF OA (Purchase Obligation) for a period of 20 years. The price of electricity is revised every year.
Total self-consumption
You can also decide to consume the electricity you produce. For this, your installation must not exceed 3 kWp and not be connected to the network. This choice results in a sharp drop in electricity bills and can be profitable in the long term, provided that the installation is not oversized.
Self-consumption with resale of the surplus
The final option is to consume the electricity you produce and sell the excess. This saves money on your bills and potentially provides additional annual income.
