Browse technical resources about solar mounting systems, tracker technology, structural design, and installation best practices.
HOME / 265w Pv Monocrystalline Polycrystalline Solar Panel And - BeTheFuture Solar Foundation & Infrastructure
The angle of the panel to the sun is achieved by simply removing the threaded knob from the wingnut and replacing the knob in a mounting hole. Drill holes and then screw panels to ABS Plastic mounts. Use silicon adhesive, suitable adhesive tape and/or suitable screws to mount ABS. ABS Plastic Corner, Side and Spoiler mounts are designed to mount single or multiple panels to your RV or Caravan roof. The ABS plastic can. + - + - + - 'Y' Connectors available for second panel installation Fuse Fuse.
Looking for expert solar panel installation in Canberra? Discover top-tier solar solutions, installation tips, cost analysis, and more in this comprehensive guide.
With the growing need for renewable energy solutions, solar panel installation in Canberra has become a popular choice among homeowners and businesses. Canberra's abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for solar power systems.
Switching to solar panel installation in Canberra is a smart investment for both residential and commercial properties. With ample sunlight, government incentives, and decreasing costs, now is the best time to make the transition. Get Started Today! Looking for reliable solar panel installation in Canberra?
We offer five levels of solar power systems in Canberra to ensure every customer can generate the amount of solar power that they require. 3kW Solar System : This system size typically includes 8 to 12 panels and produces between 10 and 13kWh daily.
Our SAA-accredited panel installers can usually complete the installation in one day, but the location and size of the solar panels and weather conditions can necessitate additional working days. On average, we complete rooftop solar installations in the city of Canberra within 4 to 8 weeks and a regional installation in 4 to 12 weeks.
Empowering Solar Journeys with Trusted Brand Partnerships. Solar Forever Canberra is a leading solar panel installation company in Canberra, ACT. Our experienced team of solar installers and technical specialists is committed to delivering high-performance renewable energy systems for industrial applications.
Updated 18 August 2025 | By John Murtagh ECG Electrical, one of Canberra's most recommended solar panel installers. Photo: ECG Electrical. If you're a homeowner tired of paying thousands of dollars a year for power, chances are you've thought about adding solar panels to your roof.
The angle of the panel to the sun is achieved by simply removing the threaded knob from the wingnut and replacing the knob in a mounting hole. Drill holes and then screw panels to ABS Plastic mounts. Use silicon adhesive, suitable adhesive tape and/or suitable screws to mount ABS Plastic mounts to Caravan or RV roof. Solar Panel Solar Panel ABS Plastic Corner, Side and Spoiler mounts are designed to mount single or multiple panels to your RV or Caravan roof. The ABS plastic can. + - + - + - 'Y' Connectors available for second panel installation Fuse Fuse.
BlueSolar Monocrystalline Panels Low voltage-temperature coefficient enhances high-temperature operation. Exceptional low-light performance and high sensitivity to light across the entire solar spectrum. 25-Year limited warranty on power output and performance. 5-Year limited warranty on materials and workmanship.
12v 30w Solar Panel with an aluminium frame with MCS Certification of product quality. Made using Grade A solar cells (as with all of our panels) guarantees high efficiency and a long operative life. 30 watts is enough power in the summer to keep your battery firmly topped up even with moderate use.
REDARC Monocrystalline Solar Panels are highly effi cient with a robust design. A tempered glass coating and a sturdy double channel aluminium frame ensure that our panels will withstand harsh road conditions and extreme weather conditions.
Made using Grade A solar cells (as with all of our panels) guarantees high efficiency and a long operative life. 30 watts is enough power in the summer to keep your battery firmly topped up even with moderate use. This high quality monocrystalline 12v 30w Solar Panel works in both sunny and overcast conditions and is fully weatherproof.
A solar panel wiring diagram (also known as a solar panel schematic) is a technical sketch detailing what equipment you need for a solar system as well as how everything should connect together. There's no such thing as a single correct diagram — several wiring configurations can produce the same result.
Conversely, connecting two panels (same wattage) in series will multiply the system voltage by 2 and keep the output current at the same level. Parallel connections should be made using 'Y' connectors available through REDARC Solar suppliers.
Insulating and sheltering solar batteries in an insulation box with a warming pad helps keep them above freezing point, ensuring better charging performance and longer lifespan.
Let's explore some effective strategies that can help keep your panels clear and functioning at their best during the winter months. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your solar panels from snow accumulation is to get the tilt angle right during installation. During installation, aim for a tilt angle between 45 and 60 degrees.
Make sure to research and choose a suitable option for your system. Solar Panel Tilt – Adjusting the angle of your solar panels can help with snow and ice removal. By tilting the panels at a steeper angle, you increase the likelihood that snow will slide off on its own.
Cold temperatures, snow, and ice can reduce the sunlight reaching the solar panels, resulting in decreased energy output. Protecting your solar panels during the winter months involves three key aspects: snow removal, maintaining adequate ventilation, and identifying and addressing damage or maintenance issues.
Solar Panel Tilt – Adjusting the angle of your solar panels can help with snow and ice removal. By tilting the panels at a steeper angle, you increase the likelihood that snow will slide off on its own. Consult with a solar professional if you are interested in adjusting the angle of your panels.
Effective ways to achieve this include insulating and sheltering the batteries, bringing them indoors, and using battery temperature stabilizers. By taking these precautions, you can protect your solar batteries from the cold weather and maintain their functionality throughout the winter season.
This common winter phenomenon is usually caused by low solar battery temperatures. Most lithium-ion solar batteries, such as Sunsynk, need to stay above ~12.5°C to charge at their full rated speed. If your solar panels are generating power faster than your battery can charge, the excess has nowhere to go but out to the grid.
Best Solar Panels Quick Summary:Best overall solar panels: SunPower Maxeon 3. Best warranty period: Project Solar Evolution Elite. Best for heat resistance: Q Cells Q.
The SunPower Maxeon 6 AC is the best all-rounder in our test. It excels in the key areas of efficiency and warranty, and also performs well on power, heat resistance and eco-friendliness. The panel's efficiency rating puts it in the top 10% of all those we tested, enabling it to make the most of limited sunlight.
For homeowners who prioritise solar panel efficiency, REC Group's Alpha Pure-R is an appealing option. With an outstanding 22.3% efficiency rate, these are some of the most efficient solar panels in the UK today. These high quality solar panels also have an excellent power output (430W) and they are known for their durability.
Here are the key factors that helped us narrow down our selection, first to the top 48 models and then to the nine best: Power – Measured in watts (W), power refers to a solar panel's peak energy production in standard test conditions. A 300W panel would produce 1,500 watt-hours (1.5kWh) of electricity in five hours.
Efficiency Although any of the options on this list offer excellent solar panel efficiency rates, the AIKO COMET series has the highest efficiency rate of up to 25.2%. This means these panels are capable of converting 25% of the sunlight that hits them into electricity.
Save up to £915 on your electricity bills with solar energy! The best solar panel in 2025 is SunPower Maxeon 6. The best solar panel in terms of warranty is the Project Solar Evolution Titan 445, offering a lifetime warranty of 99.9 years. Over the last few years, it has become increasingly popular to install solar panels for homes across the UK.
This means how much sunlight the panels convert into usable energy. As you might imagine, the best solar panels from an efficiency point of view tend to be more expensive. However, they can generate more electricity in a smaller space. For this reason, they're an ideal choice for homes with limited roof space.
Choosing the right panel and battery combination depends on a variety of factors, including: 1. Your energy consumption. How much power are you currently using every day? 2. Your location. Do you live close. Let's take a look at the general rule of thumb mentioned earlier: a 1:1 ratio of batteries and watts. A 200-watt panel and 200aH battery is a great combination to begin with. If you're using a 200-watt solar panel you can estimate. There is a simple formula for deducing what panel size you need for your battery, but this depends on how many hours of sunlight(roughly) you're getting per day, which, for most cases, we.
Suppose your 36V battery has an energy consumption of 300Wh per day and requires an 80% charging efficiency. Using a solar panel sizing formula, you calculate that a 400W solar panel would be ideal for your setup. This size allows you to generate sufficient power to meet the battery's needs while factoring in charging efficiency.
You need around 350 watts of solar panels to charge a 12V 120ah lithium battery from 100% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours with an MPPT charge controller. Full article: Charging 120Ah Battery Guide What Size Solar Panel To Charge 100Ah Battery?
Using a solar panel sizing formula, you calculate that a 400W solar panel would be ideal for your setup. This size allows you to generate sufficient power to meet the battery's needs while factoring in charging efficiency. In addition to selecting the right solar panel size, it is crucial to choose high-quality panels from reputable manufacturers.
You need around 600-900 watts of solar panels to charge most of the 24V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries from 100% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours with an MPPT charge controller. Full article: What Size Solar Panel To Charge 24v Battery? What Size Solar Panel To Charge 48V Battery?
Solar panel capacity plays a crucial role in efficiently charging your 36V battery. Various factors should be considered when selecting the appropriate size, including weather conditions and geographical location. By utilizing a solar panel sizing formula, you can estimate the required capacity based on energy consumption and charging efficiency.
The VMP for 300 watt solar panels made for 12V is usually 18V and the max current at 5.7A. So technically, a 12V solar panel runs higher than 12V, but that is also the case with batteries, which charge higher than their voltage. Higher rated systems may have a 37-40 VMP and 8A max current, so check your panel specs first.
As you can imagine, you can get almost any size solar panel you desire, from single tiles to ones that cover the entire roof. There are even companies that will craft custom and bespoke solar panels for your roof. However, if you have a particularly small roof there's no need to be too worried as you can still install solar. The majority of solar panels for sale in the UK average around 350 watts (W) in power for residential units. However, it's quite easy to get your hands on more powerful solar panels, often up to 500 W if you have an extra large. If you have a small home or want to power mobile vehicles like caravans and campervans, the good news is that there are many smaller-sized systems available. This includes small solar. Below we have detailed some of the most common solar panel installations in the UK for domestic properties. Please note that both the costs and final power outputs are rough estimates and it's obviously not possible to know these as.
[PDF Version]
Wire 12V solar panels in series to get 24V for your off-grid system. Learn the step-by-step guide on how to configure panels, batteries & charge controllers.
A 24 volt solar system uses multiple solar panels wired in series to produce a higher DC voltage output around 24V. This 24V DC electricity is stored in batteries and converted by inverters to power 24V appliances and equipment. Installing a solar power system can be a confusing process, especially when dealing with higher 24V systems.
Assess your energy needs, budget, and installation space to determine if a 24V solar panel system is suitable for your specific requirements. Consulting with a solar expert can help guide your decision-making process. What is the best way to dispose of or recycle old solar panels?
Most 24V solar systems have 3-8 panels rated for 24V. Panels are wired in series to create a total system voltage around 24V. More panels generate more wattage. What Voltage Should A Solar Panel Be For A 24v System? Look for solar panels rated for 24V operation.
Setting up a fully functioning 24V solar system requires these key components: 340-500W polycrystalline or monocrystalline panels in 24V or 48V nominal voltage ratings. Number of panels depends on your power needs. Wire in series to reach desired system voltage.
24V solar panel systems are suitable for a variety of applications, such as: Residential installations: Homes with moderate to high energy demands. Commercial setups: Businesses looking to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. Off-grid applications: Remote cabins, RVs, boats, and other standalone systems.
24v Off-grid Solar Systems and Kits. Includes Batteries Our 24v off-grid solar systems are a complete power generation kit suitable for domestic use. They are ideal for cabins, static caravans, home or garden offices, summerhouses, workshops, marine applications and other relatively low consumption situations.
We all know pretty well about solar panels and their functions. The basic functions of these amazing devices is to convert solar energy or sun light into electricity. Basically a solar panel is made up with discrete sections of individual photo voltaic cells. Each of these cells are able to generate a tiny magnitude of electrical power,. The voltage acquired from a solar panelis never stable and varies drastically according to the position of the sun and intensity of the sun rays. Referring to the proposed solar panel voltage regulator circuit we see a design that utilizes very ordinary components and yet fulfills the needs just as required by our specs. A single IC LM 338becomes the heart of the entire. The following figure shows a high current voltage regulator circuit using the LM338 ICs. The high current is achieved by connecting many number of LM338 Ics in parallelover a single common heatsink. The parallel LM338 are. The charging current may be selected by appropriately selecting the value of the resistors R3. It can be done by solving the formula: 0.6/R3 = 1/10.
[PDF Version]Solar battery charger operated on the principle that the charge control circuit will produce the constant voltage. The charging current passes to LM317 voltage regulator through the diode D1. The output voltage and current are regulated by adjusting the adjust pin of LM317 voltage regulator. Battery is charged using the same current.
Here is the simple circuit to charge 12V, 1.3Ah rechargeable Lead-acid battery from the solar panel. This solar charger has current and voltage regulation and also has over voltage cut off facilities. This circuit may also be used to charge any battery at constant voltage because output voltage is adjustable.
This voltage if fed to the battery for charging can cause harm and unnecessary heating of the battery and the associated electronics; therefore can be dangerous to the whole system. In order to regulate the voltage from the solar panel normally a voltage regulator circuit is used in between the solar panel output and the battery input.
In order to regulate the voltage from the solar panel normally a voltage regulator circuit is used in between the solar panel output and the battery input. This circuit makes sure that the voltage from the solar panel never exceeds the safe value required by the battery for charging.
You can refer to the LM317 Datasheet if you need to know how the regulated voltage is controlled. The Schottky diode plays a very vital role in the Solar Battery Charger as there would be a negative current flow to the solar panel when the battery is not being charged. The Schottky diode of current rating up to 3A can do pretty well.
Output Voltage –Variable (5V – 14V). Maximum output current – 0.29 Amps. Drop out voltage- 2- 2.75V. Solar battery charger operated on the principle that the charge control circuit will produce the constant voltage. The charging current passes to LM317 voltage regulator through the diode D1.
Electric vehicles are powered by a series of batteries which sit beneath the floor of the car. A control unit manages how much energy is required (thousands of times per second), and an interactive touchscreen on the dashboard shows you how many miles the battery will cover on its current charge and how much power you. Many EV drivers are choosing to install their own home charging point, so they do not need to worry about locating a station while they are out (with the exception of long journeys), or being. The speed at which an EV will charge depends on the make and model of the car, but it is measured in kilowatts (kW). An EV home charging point will charge an EV at 3.7 kW or 7 kW. A 3. Solar panels are the perfect partner for an EV home charging station, as buying solar panels is like bulk-buying fuel for your EV. If you are planning on installing an EV home charging station,. The average price of electricity in the UK is 14p per kWh or 8p on Economy 7 (overnight). An electric car will cover around 3.5 miles per kWh (on average), which works out to an.
[PDF Version]
When we talk about solar panels, we usually refer to the power produced in watts (w), kilowatts (kw) or kilowatts per hour (kwh). An example of this in context would be that the average household requires a 3-4kw system in order to produce enough electricity to keep the home powered. Now, a 3kw systemwill need to. It is actually a little tricky to determine how much solar panels will cost you per square foot. This is because there are several factors that can affect the overall cost. Some of these things are: 1. Size 2. Type 3. Quality However, it is. Solar panels actually tend to be quite low risk because they don't have any moving parts, aside from a small inverter. This tends to be the part that. Solar panels work by absorbing light and converting it into electricity. As a result, it makes sense that the more surface area that solar system covers, the more sun they can absorb, and the.
[PDF Version]
A solar water pump is a type of pump that is driven by the electricity produced from solar panels. Solar pumps are manufactured to supply an eco-friendly and less expensive solution to pumping water in areas where there is no access to the power grid. It consists of a water storage tank, electrical. The solar water pump consists of a controller, electric motor or battery, water pump, and solar panels (PV). A solar-powered pump works on the base of the photovoltaic principle. During the working of a solar pump, solar panels absorb solar energy and transform it into DC voltage. There is. The solar system has the following major parts: 1. Water Pump 2. Solar Panels 3. Batteries 4. Pump Controller 5. Inverter A water pump is an important part of the solar pumping. Solar pumps have the following types: 1. Submersible Solar Pump 2. Surface Solar Pump 3. DC Solar Pump 4. AC Solar Pumps.
[PDF Version]Solar pumps are manufactured to supply an eco-friendly and less expensive solution to pumping water in areas where there is no access to the power grid. It consists of a water storage tank, electrical cables, a breaker/fuse box, a DC water pump, a solar charge controller (MPPT), and a solar panel array. It is more efficient to operate.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) powered DC water pumps offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to address water pumping needs in off-grid locations. Whether for agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, or household use, these systems combine the reliability of solar energy with the efficiency of direct current (DC) pumps.
Several sectors including agriculture and farming rely on renewable source-based water pumping due to recurrent hikes in fossil fuel prices and contaminant environment. In recent decades, a solar photovoltaic-based water pumping system (SPVWPS) has been a more popularly chosen technique for its feasibility and economic solution to the end-users.
Solar water pump systems, as a prime example of photovoltaic technology application, demonstrate significant potential and value in areas such as agricultural irrigation, livestock water supply, and household water usage, due to their efficient, environmentally friendly, and self-sufficient characteristics.
Solar pumps are used to supply water to animals. They are used for irrigation applications. They are used to supply water for drinking and cooking purposes. These pumps may be used to power waterfalls, fountains, and other water features in landscapes and gardens.
The technology is similar to any other conventional water pumping system except that the power source is solar energy. PV water pumping is gaining importance in recent years due to non-availability of electricity and increase in diesel prices. The flow rate of pumped water is dependent on incident solar radiation and size of PV array.
The AWG sizing system is based on the number of times the wire is pulled thinner. For example, a Zero Gauge (0 AWG) has a diameter of 0.325 inches (8.25 mm), giving it a cross-sectional area of 53.5 mm2. After one additional pull through the wire stretching machine, we get One Gauge (1 AWG) wire with a diameter of. The wire dimensions may be identical, but not all 10 AWG wires are identical. Do not be lured into buying cheap solar cable online. The lower-cost. Payback time on home solar systems has fallen below five years and continues to decrease as grid power costs increase, and PV technology becomes more widely used. The cost of wiring with the best quality cables of the.
In solar power systems, solar energy captured by a solar panel array is converted into usable power. The thickness of the copper wire in solar panel wires, which connect the solar cells, impacts charge flow. The standard size, 10 AWG, is a good starting point for solar panel wiring sizing.
Now we need to adjust the wire size diameter for the voltage drop to become less than 3%. In this case, we will need a 12AWG or 4mm² wire. There you have it! That's how you calculate the wire thickness for solar panels. If you have these two solar panels wired in parallel, you double the current instead of the voltage.
The more powerful the solar system (i.e. high amp rating), the thicker the cables needed. iI it's a 12A system, the wire has to be 12A the absolute minimum. The same rules applies to wire thickness. A 3000W solar system for instance, requires thick cable wires.
For instance, if the solar power panel has high amperage, you'll need to purchase a thick wire to handle the load. In fact, choosing a thin wire for a high-capacity solar panel can cause voltage drop, overheating, and increased risk of free. Aside from other factors, considering the length of the solar panel is critical.
While 4mm cables are popular, 6mm and 2.5mm cabes are also available. The size of your solar panel determines what cables should be used. Insulation provides protection for the wires, and they are color coded for easy identification (blue no charge, red positive charge).
The flow of charge in the wires to which the solar panels are connected is limited by the thickness of the copper wire. The most commonly used wire gauge connecting solar panels is 10 AWG. Why 10-American-Wire-Gauge (AWG) is selected as the standard for external connection of solar arrays due to the following:
However, this article aims to teach you how to build your own 1 kW solar system using top-quality monocrystalline solar panels from companies such as Renogy and Eco-Worthy.
Instead, when you hear someone referring to a 1kw solar panel, they're actually referring to a 1 kW solar system made up of multiple solar panels equaling 1000 watts. For example, by connecting 10x 100-watt solar panels in series, you'd end up with a 1 kW solar array.
The number of solar panels required for a 1kW system depends on the wattage of each panel. Common Panel Wattage: 260W to 335W per panel. Since you can't install a fraction of a panel, a 1kW system typically requires 3 to 4 solar panels, each rated between 250W to 340W. How Much Area is Required for a 1kW Power Plant?
For example, a 1 kW solar panel system will produce 1 kW of electricity for a few hours a day, but only when it's a clear sunny day. Below is a chart showcasing a 1 kW solar panel's electricity output over a summer's day.
The average price for a 1 kW solar panel array is between $700 to $1200 (just for the solar panels). Below, we've created a table that you can use to judge the different types of 1 kW solar setups and their pricing. We've expressed this in $/W for better comparison.
Thus, a 1kW solar panel system can generate approximately 120 to 150 units per month in India. What kind of appliances can you run on a 1kW solar setup? Note:The average consumption rate can vary depending upon the appliance's specifications, power ratings, and brands. How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Generate 1kW Solar Power?
Most solar panels have a capacity of 300 watts. To achieve a 1kW solar system, you will need a minimum of 3 panels or more. Keep in mind that the more panels you install, the more electricity you will generate. If you need different power requirements, check out 0.5 kW solar systems How Big is a 1 kW Solar System?
Note: If you already have a solar panel and want to know how long it will take to charge your battery, use our solar battery charge time calculator. 1. Enter battery Capacity in amp-hours (Ah):For a 100ah battery, enter 100. If the battery capacity is mentioned in watt-hours (Wh), divide Wh by the. Follow these 6 steps to calculate the estimated required solar panel size to recharge your battery in desired time frame. Here's a chart about what size solar panel you need to charge different capacity 24v lead-acid & Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries in 6 peak sun hours using an MPPT. Here's a chart about what size solar panel you need to charge different capacity 12v lead-acid and Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries in 6 peak sun hours using an MPPT.
This might sound weird, but both are correct and useful: Nominal 12V voltage is designed based on battery classification. With solar panels, we can charge batteries, and batteries usually have 12V, 24V, or 48V input and output voltage. It is the job of the charge controller to produce a 12V DC current that charges the battery.
You need around 400-550 watts of solar panels to charge most of the 12V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries from 100% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours with an MPPT charge controller. What Size Solar Panel To Charge 24v Battery?
With solar panels, we can charge batteries, and batteries usually have 12V, 24V, or 48V input and output voltage. It is the job of the charge controller to produce a 12V DC current that charges the battery. Open circuit 20.88V voltage is the voltage that comes directly from the 36-cell solar panel.
To determine how many solar panels you need for battery charging, consider these steps: Identify Your Energy Consumption: Calculate how much energy your devices consume daily, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Determine Battery Capacity: Identify the storage capacity of your batteries, generally expressed in amp-hours (Ah).
You need around 1600-2000 watts of solar panels to charge most of the 48V lithium batteries from 100% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours with an MPPT charge controller. What Size Solar Panel To Charge 120Ah Battery?
As we can see, a 400-watt solar panel will need 2.7 peak sun hours to charge a 100Ah 12V lithium battery. If we presume that we get 5 peak sun hours per day, we can actually fully charge almost two 100Ah batteries (or one 200Ah battery).
In this ultra-practical guide, we'll help you estimate the surface area of solar panels you'll need and calculate the profitability of your investment. You'll see, it's simple and quite intuitive!.
The calculation method of the solar panel installation area of the entire system: the number of solar panels × 2.5 ㎡. The inverter, controller and battery are recommended to be placed in a ventilated and dry room. (It is recommended to place it in a room close to the solar panel to reduce line loss) For example:
Usually, solar panels of a self-consumption system are located on the roof, although it is not the area closest to the storage system or energy meters. For security and architectural integration reasons, the roof of the buildings is usually determined as the location area for the solar panels.
The installation area of a solar panel on the ground needs to be calculated as 2.5 ㎡. (Because the solar panels are installed at a certain angle, in order to prevent the front solar panels from blocking the rear solar panels and cause the hot spot effect. Therefore, the calculated area of a single solar panel is 2.5㎡)
To begin, installing solar panels necessitates extensive knowledge of solar technology and fundamental electrical and engineering skills. In other words, you should probably avoid DIY Solar Panel Installation and instead hire professional local installers. The second factor to consider is that Solar Panel Installation will take time.
Yes, solar panels can be installed on a roof. With systems like Marley SolarTile®, the solar panel acts as the roof covering, reducing installation time. On retrofit projects, simply remove a section of tiles and install the solar panels in their place.
To calculate the number of panels, divide your required system size (in kW) by the wattage of the panels you choose. For example, if you need a 7.4 kW system and each panel is 350W, you would need approximately 21 panels. What factors affect the surface area required for solar panels?