GUIDE TO WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS

If you want to switch to solar power but don’t want to go through your roof or have any empty yard space, wall-mounted solar panels can be a great addition to your house or office.

HOW DO YOU INSTALL WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS?

The wall-mounted solar panels are usually installed as modules at a south-facing window.

Because wall-mounted solar panels have slopes, it is not practical to mount them on walls that aren’t facing south. Wall-mounted solar panels have a steep slope or are vertical, so they absorb the most energy when the sun is at its lowest.

To maximize energy absorption, you will want to position your wall-mounted systems strategically. Your solar panel modules can be placed parallel to a wall or tilted away from it. You could also install a canopy that covers the overhanging panels. These positions will give your solar panels a natural slope much higher than a roof or ground-mounted system.

To install wall-mounted solar panels securely and with special hardware, you will need to have a steep slope. Wall-mounted solar panels are more difficult than roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar panels that have a slight slope or lay flat. Strong securing is essential to prevent damage and displacement of wall-mounted systems.

ARE WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS EASY TO MAINTAIN?

In terms of cleaning, wall-mounted solar panels are much easier to maintain than rooftop or ground-mounted. Because rain is able to wash away dirt and snow and gravity prevents leaves from building up, the build-up of debris and other issues are virtually non-existent. This makes it easier to clean.

Wall-mounted systems are also easier to see, and you don’t have to climb up on steep roofs to check their condition. Many solar panel system owners find climbing onto roofs difficult and dangerous. Wall-mounted panels offer the advantage of easy visual access so that you can keep up to date on any cleaning or maintenance tasks.

Technicians, who are usually hired professionals, can construct scaffolding from the top edge of a wall-mounted system in case of malfunction or breakdown. It is much more difficult to replace or troubleshoot wall-mounted panels than it is with roof or ground systems.

DO WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS PRODUCE LESS ELECTRICITY?

Depending on where you live, wall-mounted solar panels may produce less energy than roof-mounted panels. Wall-mounted solar panels produce more electricity in the winter months than they do during the summer. Because the sun is lower in our sky, wall-mounted panels can receive more sunlight.

Ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar panels generate more energy in summer than wall mounts, because the sun shines higher in the sky. This allows for more direct sunlight to reach slightly sloped panels during the day, rather than vertically sloped ones.

Wall-mounted systems are more beneficial for those who live farther from the Equator. The sun is lower in winter when it is colder. This is true regardless of how far you are from zero degrees latitude.

ARE WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS CHEAPER?

For vertical installation of wall-mounted solar panels, you will need special mounting hardware. Staging is sometimes necessary because there are more safety concerns than with ground-mounted or roof-mounted solar panels.

When special hardware is required for a project, it’s reasonable that installation costs will be higher. You will pay more for solar panels if you have to install them.

This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the premier Tampa solar companies! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!