Plug and Play Photovoltaic Panel: The Complete Guide

Installing a plug and play photovoltaic panel presents no difficulty, especially for people with a minimum of knowledge in electrical connections. You just need to reserve a flat surface of 2 meters, or several fixing points, unroll the wire and plug it into any electrical outlet in the house. This only takes about 15 minutes. However, you must respect the rules to fully benefit from the electricity produced by the solar panels:
- you must ensure that the electrical wire is connected to the outlet connected to the ground, without going through the meter;
- if you do not have a flat surface of 2 square meters, you must fix it on the wall or fence of your house. In this case, to benefit from optimal electrical performance, you must respect an inclination of 30%;
- the installation of such a device implies administrative formalities that must be settled at the town hall or prefecture.
There are also optimal electrical performance techniques that you need to be aware of.

Take advantage of high sunshine

A solar panel should not be installed just anywhere outside. For the production of electricity in sufficient quantity, you must orient the panels due south. If your geographical location is a handicap, you must at least respect a south-southeast or south-southwest orientation.

In the case where you use several photovoltaic solar panels, you will not need to orient them in the same south direction. You can therefore distribute them to the east or west, so as to capture the sunshine all day long. You must also have a space to install them outside or a place reserved for this. You must always respect the inclination of 30º with respect to the ground. This allows you to optimize electricity production and promote self-consumption and the resale of surplus flow. Finally, you must remove obstacles that are nearby such as shadows, trees, garden sheds, etc.

Have a secure fixing system

Whatever location you are going to reserve for the installation of the plug and play photovoltaic panel (on the wall, the roof, the garden shed, etc.). Or in the case of several photovoltaic solar kits, you can distribute them to take full advantage of the sunshine. For this, you can install them everywhere on the roof, the wooden fence, the lawn, etc.

However, you must equip yourself with different installation systems that depend on the surface such as the location at height. You must also equip yourself with several metal fixing brackets on the wood or brick wall and a ballast tray for surface mounting. Such equipment helps you stabilize the panels and allows them to resist the power of the wind.

Advantages of a plug and play photovoltaic panel

- A device that has been designed to be easy to install and does not require the user to spend less than 15 minutes to make the connections;
- the electrical regulator that transforms direct current into alternating current is directly integrated into the panel;
- a wired outlet connected to the ground allows the distribution of solar electricity in the house;
- as soon as the electrical connection is made, the system is operational immediately thanks to the plug and play function;
- a model of plug and play solar panel facilitates the production of domestic electricity and promotes self-consumption for several years. Thus, it is possible to fully benefit from this green energy and increase electrical comfort such as the use of washing machines, air conditioners, several outdoor lights, etc.
- the immediate reduction of your electricity bill;
- a solar panel requires only a small surface area for installation (2 m²). In the case where you live in the city, it is easy to place it on the terrace, the balcony, the garden, even the roof of a shed;
- it is a removable solar kit that is easy to change its location in the case where the sunshine becomes a handicap, or, you plan to move to a new home;
- this device is extensible and modular so you can add other plug and play solar panels to meet your electricity needs.

Disadvantages of the plug and play solar panel

- It is a model of solar kits designed exclusively for self-consumption and intended for individuals. So far, it is not possible to resell the energy produced to the external electrical grid, especially if only a few electrical panels are used;
- if the installation does not require the intervention of an RGE certified technician, then the purchase of photovoltaic solar panels does not benefit from state aid;
- the production of electricity remains insufficient and is not enough to cover all your Kwh needs. For this, you must equip yourself with several plug and play solar panels;

The price of a solar panel varies depending on the e-commerce sites. You can acquire an entry-level model for less than €500. For quality solar kits, equipped with a fixing system, can be negotiated around €700 to €800. However, some sales stores may offer discounts in case of purchase of several photovoltaic panels, whose delivery may be free.

You must also check their power at the time of purchase, which must be displayed on the article and expressed in watts. For example, a solar kit equipped with several plug and play photovoltaic panels that displays 405W can develop a power of 750 to 9000 watts. Enough solar energy to cover your daily electricity needs.

How to benefit from the performance of a solar panel?

To reduce the electricity bill as much as possible and fully benefit from the performance of your photovoltaic panel. You must add more panels to increase its power. For example, if you install 16 solar panels that each produce around 260 peak Watts. The total production of the panels must be more than 3,536 kWh while including the conversion factor which is 0.85. If you add this power to your electrical grid, you can realize a gain of €615,000 in the year.