WHAT IS PHOTOVOLTAIC LAYOUT?

When you want to install solar panels, the first step is to determine how many modules can be installed on the roof and how to do it. This means making the right choice between the so-called "landscape" or "portrait" configurations of the modules; and then calculating the number of modules to be installed. This process is the definition of photovoltaic layout. There are two essential data required to carry out the layout: the measurements of the roof and the measurements of the modules. You can see the module measurements on the data sheet. Please also make a distinction between the installation measurements and the module measurements. When the modules are placed on the roof, there is a space between all the panels. This space varies according to the integration system of your choice. In general, this is 2 cm. The following article will give you a better understanding of the concept of photovoltaic layout.

WHAT DOES PHOTOVOLTAIC LAYOUT CONSIST OF?

Thanks to the energy that the photovoltaic panels receive from the sun, they can create electric current. That said, there are criteria that must be respected when installing photovoltaic panels. In order to obtain a numerical estimate of the potential electricity production on your roof, you can consult the free online simulators. In principle, the planning consists of determining the orientation of the photovoltaic modules during installation on the roof (landscape or portrait) and calculating the quantity of modules to be installed to obtain the optimal output. This phase makes it possible to obtain a better arrangement of the photovoltaic modules and thus recover as much energy as possible. In order to achieve this, certain information is essential: the dimensions of the roof and the photovoltaic panels, the space required between the two modules (in principle 2 cm) as well as the minimum spacing that must be respected between the edges of the roof and the panels, in order to ensure the electrical safety and the waterproofing of the roof.

IN PARALLEL OR IN SERIES?

The photovoltaic modules can be connected in two ways: in parallel or in series. You choose the configuration according to the measurements of your roof, its exposure and the presence of masking elements such as trees for example. As you know, in a series installation, if one module fails, the other will not work either, unlike the parallel configuration.

THE EVOLUTION OF A SELF-CONSUMPTION KIT

Indeed, at the beginning of 2010, the components of the latter have evolved: the power of the panels has almost doubled; only "micro" inverters remain, allowing the do-it-yourselfer to work without risk in alternating current, and the self-consumption kit is more and more self-installed.