One of the most important aspects of any solar renewable installation is collector siting. Although it sounds incredibly obvious, you'd be surprised how many people choose an awful location for their solar collector array. A mistake like that can cost you thousands of dollars over the years, so make sure you know how the sun and Earth relate to each other, how the seasons affect sunlight distribution and how best to site your collectors for optimum efficiency.
You don't need to sit and track the sun's path for a year to determine your location's solar window. Modern technology provides several tools to help you work out the path you need to clear in the air to optimize your solar collectors' efficiency.
If any of the methods given below show more than 10% obstruction to sunlight during the prime hours of the day, you may need to reconsider the collector site.
You will want to shade your house's south side from the summer sun, but not your PV array. Even partial shading can cause a disproportionate loss in electrical energy. Trees should be maintained to prevent obstruction, especially between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (the prime sunlight hours).
North American generators come in either 120/240V split phase or strictly 120V output configurations. A 120V renewable energy system with a prewired 120V generator will simplify installation as a 240V generator will with 240V systems.
WARNING!
Local electrical inspectors and many electrical contractors in North America are still unfamiliar with off-grid systems: it is wise to consult an expert before committing to a system.
Besides the NEC/CEC rules, every electrical appliance requires a Part 2 product standard certification if it operates at either 120V or 240V (AC). If safety is a consideration, this requirement also applies to appliances of lower voltage, such as battery power tools.
Two necessities for safety (and to comply with local and national electrical codes) are to have excess current protection and a means of disconnection on all voltage sources in any ungrounded conductor. This includes all connections between the PV array, batteries, wind turbine and inverter. Almost all AC sources have some form of protection and means of disconnection in any home or appliance wiring. Even the inverter and generator have their own circuit breaker or certified fuse device.
