There are many preparations you must make before you build a full-scale photovoltaic solar panel project. There are many expensive components involved and installation alone may take days.
There is the joy and satisfaction of making your own solar power system rather than buying retail. This is true even if it is just a solar panel kit that you setup. However there are also dangers involved and you must be aware of this. Otherwise you may risk injury or even death.
Here, you will see some activities that are dangerous and the necessary precautions to prevent injury.
On roofs, while you are installing your solar panels, you risk falling. If you have gone up to your roof before, you will know how difficult it is to move from one end to another. Installing PV panels is twice as difficult as this.
You have to carry heavy items (such as your PV panel and toolbox), make sure they are positioned in their correct place, handle long cables, pull those cables, handle tools, et cetera. These activities are difficult enough on solid ground. Can you imagine doing these on the roof?
If you are not confident of this work, you can hire professionals to do the installation for you. They usually charge you an hourly rate for their work. But since they’re doing this type of work everyday, they’ll be able to get the job done much faster than you.
If you are going to install grid-tied solar energy systems, you will inevitably be in contact with the mains and those connections that go out to the power grid. As you already know, high voltages can kill. They can also cause damage to your equipment if wrong connections are made. Thus you have to take every precaution to prevent such events from happening.
In some locations, regulations restrict unlicensed personnel from meddling with connections that go out to the power grid. Therefore you may have to get a licensed electrician even if you know what to do.
When handling mains power, always wear thick rubber boots and insulation gloves for protection. Even if you are sure you have disconnected your equipment from the power source, wear them. Though you are a very careful person, just one mistake can injure or kill. Thus we can never be too sure.
Finally, when handling batteries, you have to make sure not to let metallic objects come near the battery leads. Keep tools away from them. This is because batteries, when short-circuited produce a huge amount of heat. This can cause the batteries to catch fire or explode.
Even though there are dangers when building full-scale PV panels, if you take precautions, you can stay safe and still have lots of fun with your DIY projects.
You can get FREE downloads about full-scale DIY solar panel projects as well as plans for small projects such as a solar powered water fountains at my website or from these links.