Monthly Archives: April 2019

Solar trackers can boost the output of a PV system by as much as 20 to 40 percent. Trackers allow photovoltaic panels to follow the sun as it moves through the sky, which maximizes their exposure to sunlight and allows for optimal energy production.

As a concept, tracker technology sounds great. Creating electricity is the goal, after all, and your solar panels will make more if they always face the sun. So, you might think that adding a solar tracker to your PV system is the right choice.

Why, then, do professional photovoltaic contractors recommend fixed-tilt racks for most PV system installations?

Solar Trackers Cost More than Fixed-Tilt Racks

Fixed racks come at a fraction of the cost of solar trackers. The price difference can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of the PV system you’re installing.

Plus, installing a sun tracking system is a complex task – much more so than mounting photovoltaic panels to fixed-tilt racks. As such, the labor charges for professional installation tend to be significantly higher.

Investing in trackers for a boost in energy production might have made sense decades ago when solar panels were much more expensive. Now that panel prices are much lower, a sun tracking system usually isn’t worth the cost. If you need a greater amount of electricity, it’s almost always more cost-effective to install more photovoltaic panels.

Solar Trackers Require Routine Maintenance

Higher upfront costs aren’t all you’ll get if you choose to install solar trackers. You can also count on spending more for maintenance.

Sun tracking systems have motorized parts and, without routine professional maintenance, the machinery can fail. Regular maintenance ensures ongoing operation, but the added expense brings down the overall energy savings.

In comparison, fixed racks rarely need maintenance or repairs. For optimal PV system output, experts recommend annual professional inspections – but the likelihood of a problem is low.

Should Your PV System Include Solar Trackers?

As you can see, fixed-tilt racks provide a clear cost advantage. Sun tracking systems offer increased solar energy production, but the extra electricity doesn’t usually compensate for the expenses of installation and lifetime maintenance.

There are some installations where photovoltaic contractors recommend adding a sun tracking system, especially for commercial and industrial projects that need maximum energy output in a small amount of space. If there isn’t room for more solar panels, using trackers may be the only way to create the amount of electricity required.

If you’re planning to install a PV system, it’s always wise to compare your options. The professional contractors at Intermountain Wind & Solar can help you weigh the pros and cons of sun tracking systems and fixed-tilt racks to determine which type of mount makes better sense for your solar power project.

As the leading photovoltaic provider in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, Intermountain Wind & Solar designs efficient, cost-effective PV systems that provide optimal energy production. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss solar trackers and other types of mounting systems for your photovoltaic system.

Install a rooftop solar array, and you’ll have a steady supply of free electricity. Your PV panels will power all of your home appliances and electronic devices, slashing – or even eliminating – your monthly energy costs.

But how does all of this actually happen?

Solar Panels Capture Energy from the Sun

Sunlight contains energy. When light from the sun hits something here on earth, this energy usually turns into heat – think of the warmth of your skin when you’re outside on a bright sunny day and you’ll get the picture.

When the sun’s rays hit a rooftop solar array, however, the energy creates an electrical current instead of heat. Certain materials – including crystalline silicone, the main component of most PV panels – produce electricity when struck by sunlight.

This phenomenon, known as the photovoltaic effect, is the reason you can rely on a solar array for a reliable source of power.

Inverters Transform the Energy into Usable Electricity

As the sun shines down on a rooftop solar array, the PV panels produce direct current (DC) electricity – which, despite the name, cannot directly power your appliances and electronic devices.

Here in the U.S., we use alternating current (AC) electricity in our homes. To transform the current from DC to AC, solar arrays always include inverters. Some rooftop systems have a string inverter to handle the power conversion for all of the PV panels. Other arrays have separate micro-inverters attached to each solar module.

In a nutshell, the PV panels generate power from sunlight, then the inverter converts that power into electricity you can use in your home.

What if Your Rooftop Solar Array Produces Too Much Electricity?

Depending upon the size of your solar array, your PV panels may produce more electricity than you need. The excess won’t go to waste, however.

If your rooftop PV panels connected to the utility grid, that’s where the extra power will go. Your meter will keep track of how much electricity you send to the grid, and you’ll see a credit on your utility bill.

If yours is a hybrid solar system, the excess energy will charge your batteries to provide you with a source of power in the event of a blackout. Once the batteries are full, any extra electricity your PV panels create will go to the utility grid.

If you install an off-grid solar array, the energy you don’t immediately need will be stored in your battery bank. You’ll use this electricity for home power at night and during cloudy weather.

Are you considering powering your Intermountain West home with solar energy? If you have questions about PV panels or solar electricity – or anything else having to do with photovoltaic power — the experienced professional contractors at Intermountain Wind & Solar are happy to provide answers.

Intermountain Wind & Solar, a leading photovoltaic provider serving Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon and Nevada for over a decade, offers free consultations to give homeowners an opportunity to easily explore their options. If you’re interested in installing a rooftop solar array and need expert advice, contact us today.

Although you may have heard talk that roof leaks can develop after installing solar panels, this definitely isn’t the case. Leaking almost never happens – at least when a highly-experienced licensed solar contractor handles the installation.

When a photovoltaic array is mounted properly, the integrity of the rooftop is not compromised. And, although the mounting hardware might require penetration of the roofing materials, an expert contractor – like the team at Intermountain Wind & Solar – always takes precautionary steps to prevent roof leaks.

How Solar Contractors Guard Against Roof Leaks

No reputable solar contractor will agree to install a photovoltaic array on a roof that appears to be in poor condition. If the rooftop is already compromised and likely to leak, adding solar panels could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, so to speak.

To further prevent the possibility of roof leaks, contractors surround the mounting bolts with flashing and then completely seal the rooftop penetrations. Sealant is applied to both the flashing and the areas around the drilled holes, and this works to block water from getting through.

How Solar Panels Help Prevent Roof Leaks

It may sound counterintuitive, but mounting rooftop solar panels can actually protect the roofing surface and decrease the chance of roof leaks.

Normally, your rooftop is constantly exposed to the elements, and years of harsh weather can cause the surface to deteriorate. When that happens, leaking becomes more likely. But a rooftop with a photovoltaic array is less exposed to the elements and the often harsh Utah weather. This lessens the amount of damage the roofing material experiences over time. And, with less damage, roof leaks become less probable.

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar Panels?

As we mentioned above, installing a rooftop photovoltaic array almost never causes leaking. But occasionally, leaks occur and, when they do, it’s because the roof wasn’t structurally sound at the time of installation.

Qualified solar contractors can spot clear signs of damage, but problems in the roof deck, frame and sheathing aren’t always obvious. For that reason, if you’re at all concerned about leaking, you should consult with a professional roofer before scheduling the installation of your photovoltaic array.

If your rooftop needs extensive repairs to handle solar panels – or, worse, the roofer says you need a new roof – you can explore other options. Mounting the photovoltaic array on a different property structure, such as a carport or garden shed, could be the perfect solution. Or, you may want to install a ground-mounted solar system. Either way, producing enough energy to power your home won’t be a problem.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, the leading renewable energy provider serving Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming, we take great care with every photovoltaic installation. Choose us, and our in-house staff will design and install a cost-effective rooftop or ground-mounted solar array that maximizes your energy savings.

Intermountain Wind & Solar makes it easy for Intermountain West homeowners to make the switch to photovoltaic power. To schedule a free, no-pressure consultation to chat with our expert team about installing solar panels, contact us today.