What are roof top solar systems and their benefits to life and ...

Roof top solar energy is being applied more and more widely thanks to its convenience and, most importantly, its positive impact on the environment. So what is roof top solar energy? What benefits does it bring and how to install it? We will find out in the following article.

Solar energy and roof top solar system: Everything you need to know This article will go through 4 main content parts:

What is the definition of roof top solar energy and what is roof top solar system?

Solar energy is energy generated from radiant light and heat from the sun to generate electricity and solar thermal energy, including water heating and solar architecture. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar energy sources, is the most abundantly available renewable energy source. Solar technologies mainly consist of passive energy or active energy depending on how sunlight is captured, converted, and distributed.Active solar techniques refer to photovoltaic modules (also called photovoltaic panels) and solar thermal collectors to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Active solar technology increases energy supply and is considered a secondary technology, while passive solar technology reduces the need for alternative resources and is generally considered a demand-side technology.Passive solar techniques include:

• Orienting buildings to the sun.
• Choosing suitable thermal mass materials or light dispersion properties.
• Designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

A roof top solar power system, also known as a rooftop PV system, is a photovoltaic (PV) system with solar panels that generate electricity and are mounted on the roof of buildings, civil or commercial structures. A solar power system consists of photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, solar inverters and other electrical accessories. Roof top solar systems are typically small compared to ground-based solar power stations. Most rooftop PV stations are grid photovoltaic systems. PV systems on residential buildings usually have capacities between 5 and 20 kilowatts (kW), while those on commercial buildings typically have capabilities between 100 kilowatts and 1 megawatt (MW).

Learn more: Everything you need to know about solar power

3 primary benefits of using energy generated from the roof top solar system

1. Saving on energy costs

Generating your own electricity from readily available energy means using less electricity from conventional power providers, and you can save quite a bit on electricity costs each month. Many places also trade in electricity generated from the sun to maximize profits from investing in the solar power grid.Using electricity from roof top solar panels also helps you not be too dependent on conventional power supply, minimizing the impact of unexpected power outages.

2. Bringing positive impacts to the environment

Solar energy is the least negative environmental energy source of all forms of energy. It does not produce greenhouse gasses and does not pollute water sources. It also doesn’t need too much water to operate, unlike a nuclear power plant, which requires 20 times more water. Solar power generation also does not cause noise pollution, making it easy to install in dense urban areas.

3. Solar systems can be installed anywhere

Roof top solar batteries can be installed anywhere, as long as the place receives sunlight. Solar panel systems are beneficial for remote areas with rugged terrain, making it challenging to install conventional wiring.Stand-alone solar systems can provide electricity well to less populated areas, such as mountains or offshore, where traffic is difficult. Not only that, but solar energy can also power spacecraft and boats.

Basic roof top solar panel system installation process with four simple steps

The basic process of roof top solar system installation includes four steps below:

1. Mount installation
2. Install the solar panels and electrical wiring
3. Connect the components of the system
4. Start solar inverter

1. Mount installation

First, we will place the brackets for the solar panels. Brackets help keep the system fixed and secure on the roof. The installation orientation of the PV panels (monocrystalline or polycrystalline) also needs to be taken into account for the best energy absorption. For countries in the Southern Hemisphere like Vietnam, installing solar panels in the North direction and slightly inclined from 18 – 36 degrees is recommended. You can use a solar tracker to increase energy conversion efficiency.

2. Solar panels installation and electrical wiring

In this step, you fix the roof top solar panels to the brackets prepared above. Then all we need to do is wire them up. It is recommended to use universal connectors like MC4 as they have a good connection with all types of solar panels. You can wire in the following two ways:

• Series connection: The positive (+) wire of one PV module is connected to the negative (-) wire of the other module.
• Parallel connection: Connect positive (+) to positive (+) and negative (-) to negative (-).

3. Connecting the components of the system (Solar Inverter, Solar Battery, Grid)

This 3rd step will connect the panel to the energy inverter. The positive wire from the control board is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter and vice versa. Then we connect the inverter to the input of the solar cell and the grid to generate electricity.Next, the solar inverter will be connected to the solar battery, and the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter and vice versa. Finally, you join the inverter to the grid.

4. Starting the solar inverter

At this final stage, we will start turning on the main inverter switch of the building. Most inverters have a digital display showing detailed roof top solar production and usage data.

A brief introduction to the solar energy service provided by VIVABLAST

VIVABLAST (Vietnam) is a local partner in renewable energy and industry leader in the ASEAN market. With nearly 30 years of experience across all Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) sectors, we confidently bring diversity in technical expertise and top-quality construction. With the latest in solar technology, interest-free accessories, prepaid solutions, and comprehensive coverage across ASEAN, VIVABLAST is one of the best Commercial and Industrial solar companies in Vietnam and is ready to bring the best green energy solution to your project.Solar systems are installed on the roofs of industrial buildings, sports clubs, cinemas, office buildings, shopping malls or parking lots. They are sustainable and long-lasting, easy to maintain and affordable, helping you reduce your energy costs and reduce your dependence on the conventional grid.Outstanding rooftop solar services at VIVABLAST include:

• Solar Panels
• LED Solutions
• Battery Storage Solution
• Solar Farms
• Micro Grids

The high-quality design is one of the prerequisites for a successful rooftop solar power plant project. VIVABLAST Vietnam is one of many companies that specialize in installing rooftop solar power plants and managing projects responsibly and efficiently. We offer a full-service package that includes designing and installing rooftop solar systems on buildings and structures of any type and complexity.

Learn more about: Advantages and Disadvantages of solar system installation and how to maintain it

After today’s content, we hope you have gained more helpful information about the roof top solar system: Definition, benefits, and basic installation. If you are looking for a leading solar solution construction company in Vietnam, VIVABLAST is a renowned name with whole experience and expertise. For direct consultation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via:

• Phone: (+ 84-28) 38 965 006/7/8
• Fax: (+ 84-28) 38 965 004
• Email: vivablast@vivablast.com

Individual Rooftop Potential 

For individual rooftops, national laboratories and private companies have developed a number of tools to estimate the amount of solar that could be installed on a given rooftop. The tools described below were funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to help consumers start the process of choosing solar by determining the solar potential of their homes or businesses.

EnergySage, a previous Incubator awardee, allows homeowners, businesses, or nonprofit organizations to estimate their energy savings from solar, and connects them with prescreened installers who can provide estimates specific to the user’s address. Users can comparison shop and select the system that fits their needs best. Electricity bills are used to estimate the potential savings from solar energy, and Energy Sage has been found to offer customers substantial savings over more conventional products.

PVWatts is an online tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that estimates the energy production and cost of electricity for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, business owners, and nonprofit organizations to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations, based on online map or user supplied data. Another online tool from NREL is the System Advisor Model (SAM), a free software that enables detailed performance and financial analysis for renewable power systems.

A previous Incubator awardee, Sun Number gives a numerical score which represents the solar suitability of a building’s rooftop on a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 being the ideal rooftop for solar. Scores can be accessed by entering a valid address in a region where the analysis has been performed. The Sun Number score is created from aerial imagery that is processed with proprietary algorithms to accurately analyze individual rooftops, and based on a combination of factors, each weighted uniquely to provide an accurate analysis of a rooftop. Factors include roof shape, surrounding buildings, surrounding vegetation, regional variability, and atmospheric conditions. The company also partnered with Zillow, an online home-listing service provider, which culminated in the addition of a solar potential listing to the descriptions of over 40 million homes.