Safety Tips for DIY Solar Panel Installation
Installing DIY solar panels on your own can be both fun and rewarding. However, it is of great significance to put your safety first throughout the installation. This blog provides multiple safety tips to guide you through solar panel installation.
You need to consider the following prior to, during, and after the installation:
- Access the Installation Site
- Prevent Electrical Risks
- Ensure Safe Operations
- Protect from Fire Hazards
Access the Installation Site
Whether you are installing a solar panel on a roof or simply on the ground, assess the installation site first. Assess the available space, analyze solar energy potential, and determine the ideal positioning for the maximum sunlight exposure.
This section discusses two mounting scenarios: roof-mounting and ground-mounting.
Roof Mounting
When you install a solar panel on the roof of your house, solar shed, or carport, the overall fire rating of the final structure and the overall maintenance afterwards need to be considered.
For your safety, remember the following:
- DO NOT work on the roof without safety precautions including, but not limited to, fall protection, ladders or stairs, and personal protective equipment.
- DO NOT install or handle components in hazardous environments, including but not limited to strong winds, gusts, and wet/sandy roofs.
- DO NOT install the solar panel on a surface constructed from combustible material.
- DO NOT expose the solar panel to direct flame or heat sources.
- Conduct a thorough inspection of all ladders and scaffolding to ensure they are secure and functioning correctly.
Ground Mounting
Ground-mounted solar panels offer more electricity over roof-mounted ones by allowing you to adjust the sunlight exposure angle as the sun's position changes in the sky. There are several safety considerations when installing a solar panel on the ground.
- Obtain the necessary permits and permissions required by your local authorities. They may offer a specific installation safety guide.
- Conduct soil tests to ensure stability and identify any potential challenges that may arise during the installation process.
- DO NOT install or handle components in hazardous environments, including but not limited to strong winds, gusts, and storms.
- Clear the designated area of any obstructions such as rocks, debris, or vegetation.
Prevent Electrical Risks
Upon selecting a suitable installation site, the journey of actual installation begins. Solar products, operating under light conditions, generate direct current, while the presence of metal and moisture in the surrounding environment increases the risk of electrical shock. To uphold electrical safety standards, adhere to the following guidelines:
Cover Solar Panels From Direct Sunlight
Solar panels do not have switches for powering them off. The only way to cease their operation is by either removing them from the light source or covering them entirely with cloths, cardboard sheets, or any completely opaque materials. To prevent heat or energy buildup, you need to cover solar panels with opaque cloth throughout the installation.
Wear Protective Equipment
Solar products generate direct current under light conditions, even when no load or external circuit is connected, so take appropriate protective measures (such as insulated gloves and insulated shoes) to prevent personnel from coming into direct contact with DC voltages of 30V or higher, which can be extremely hazardous and potentially fatal.
Avoid Disconnecting Under Load
To avoid arcing and electric shock hazards, it's crucial not to disconnect electrical connections while a load is present. When connections are broken under load, it can create an arc, resulting in potential damage to the equipment and posing a serious risk of electric shock to personnel nearby. Additionally, incorrect connections, whether during installation or maintenance, can also lead to arcing and electric shock incidents. This underscores the importance of adhering to proper procedures and ensuring connections are securely made and maintained.
Keep Connectors Dry and Clean
Connectors must be kept dry and clean to ensure they are in good working condition. Do not insert other metal objects into the connectors or make electrical connections in any other way.
Snow and water or other reflections from the surrounding environment can increase the intensity of the irradiation received by the solar module and can cause an increase in output current. The output voltage of the module will also increase appropriately at low temperatures. If the module glass or other encapsulation material is damaged, wear personal protective equipment and separate the module from the circuit.
Touching wet components is strictly forbidden unless wearing shock protection equipment that meets the requirements. Follow the cleaning guidelines for cleaning solar panels.
Keep Solar Panels away from Chemicals
Solar panel connectors must not come into contact with chemicals due to their potential to degrade connector materials, compromise electrical conductivity, and pose safety risks. Such chemicals include gasoline, white flower oil, mold temperature oil, motor oil (e.g., KV46), grease (e.g., Molykote EM-50L), lubricating oil, rust prevention oil, stamping oil, grease, diesel oil, cooking oil, acetone, alcohol, mold release agents (e.g., Pelicoat S-6), sticky board adhesive and potting sealant (such as KE200 and CX-200), plasticizer, and other cleaning agent.
Ensure Safe Operations
Follow instructions in the specific user manual of the solar panel to ensure safe operations. This section discusses measures that you should be pay attention to during the installation.
- To ensure the safety of solar panels during transportation and storage, unpack the components upon arrival at the installation site.
- Protect the packaging from damage or dropping.
- Lift each solar panel with at least two people.
- It is forbidden under any circumstances to lift the entire module by grasping the junction box or wires.
- DO NOT stand or walk on the solar panel.
- DO NOT band the solar panel. Bending the solar panel will cause damage to the cells and affect panel performance.
- Inspect the solar panel for any visible damage including cracks, dents, deformation, and other visible abnormalities. All connector contacts shall be clean, dry, and free of dirt and corrosion.
- DO NOT apply excessive loads on solar panels or twist them in order to avoid glass breakage.
- DO NOT drill holes in the panel bezel, as this will result in a reduction in the bezel's resistance to load and lead to corrosion of the bezel, thereby voiding the warranty;
- DO NOT scratch the anodic oxide layer on the surface of the aluminum bezel, except when grounding connections are made. Scratching may lead to frame corrosion, affecting the frame's load resistance and long-term reliability.
Protect from Fire Hazards
Improper solar panel installation may lead to fire hazards.
Regulatory Compliance
Please refer to local laws and regulations before installing the solar panels and comply with them regarding building fire resistance requirements.
Adequate Ventilation
Ensure adequate ventilation between the back sheet and the installation surface during installation. The roof structure and the way the solar panel is installed can affect the fire safety performance of the building. To ensure the fire rating on the roof, the minimum distance between the module frame and the roof surface is 10 cm. If not properly installed, a fire may result.
When mounting the module on the roof of a vehicle, if brackets are used, the module must be mounted on the brackets and must not be tightly bonded to the roof itself. Use proper module accessories such as fuses, circuit breakers, and ground connectors as required by local codes. Do not use solar panels if there are exposed combustible gases in the vicinity.
Regular Cleaning & Maintenance
After all wiring, verify that all cable connections are firmly and securely fastened. This step is essential to prevent any loose or unstable connections that could lead to operational issues or safety concerns.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is essential to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris that can hinder their performance and potentially lead to fire hazards. Inspect all wires to ensure there are no damaged wires. Proper wiring is crucial because oversized or undersized wires may lead to inefficient energy transfer, overheating, and potentially pose fire hazards. For details about wire sizing, see Sizing Wires for PV Systems.
