How to install solar power system for home in 7 easy steps

How to install solar power system for home? Can you do the solar power installation by yourself? Labor and related costs account for more than half of the price of the average home solar installation. You can install by your self and buy the product from China factory directly.

You can save thousands of dollars with this user-friendly manual.
And this blog is for a 5kw off-grid solar power system. Your system may be 10kw, 20kw, 50kw. The principle is same.

Through detailed directions and step-by-step photos, you can start to do it by yourself or by your electrician.

This comprehensive DIY guide covers everything from assembling rooftop racking or building a ground-mount structure to setting up the electrical connections and making a battery bank for off-grid systems.

Preparation

In this blog, we will use a 5kw off-grid solar power system as an example:

Picture	Specification	Qty
	TFL415W USA TR Technology panel( PERC Shingled solar modules ) Vmp:39V Voc:46.8V Imp 12.3A Isc:12.91A 210210 cells Efficiency:22.03% weight:20.6KG Size:17301080*35mm	12pcs
	Model:H4T-96v Multiple PV strings inputs. Simplify wiring between PV array and controller. Prevent hot spot effect，Reliable thunderstorm& surge protection Product Size:360345145mm	1pcs
	PV controller model:Real MPPT 96V/60A Charging efficiency:98% charging mode, intelligent control,various protection functions	1pcs
	IGBT Inverter:5KW96VDC 110V/120V/220V/230V/240VAC output City power and generator charger build in Overload, overcharge, over-discharge protection Fuji brand IGBT material	1pcs
	Capacity:12V/200AH The latest through-wall welding technology, more suitable for motor loads. Service life:6-8 years Size:522240219mm Connect way: 8pcs battery in series	8pcs
	1)7pcs 16mm235CM,2pcs 16mm22M battery cable，16mm *20M 2)4mm2 PV cable 100M, (black+ red) 3)1set MC4 Tools ,PV terminals and MC4 4)2P 63A Battery switch and box	1set

Required tools

how to install solar power system for home-Tools

Connection drawing

Step1. Mount Installation

The first step is to put up solar panel bracket. It can be Roof-ground mounts or for ground. And different bracket for different roof top.

For country in the Northern Hemisphere, the best direction to face solar panels is south. For countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the best direction is North.

Here is 4 types most common solar panel bracket.

When you put up the solar panel bracket, make sure all the bolts and nuts is tighten up.
Because you don’t want the solar panel fall down.

how to install solar power system for home-bracket

And here is the detail for the iron roof solar panel bracket.

how to install solar power system for home-bracket detail

Step2. Solar panel wiring

Next step is to do the electrical wiring for the solar panels.
The PV cable can be connect to different solar panel by MC4. Which is include in our accessory, when you receive, you can pick them up.
For the 5kw solar power system, there are 12pcs solar panel.
How to connect those solar panel?

In the 5kw solar system, there are 12pcs solar panel.
Connect way should be each 4pcs in series, 3 in parallel.

It's okay you don't know what is in series and what is in parallel.
Just follow our photo and do the installation step by step, and contact us if you don’t understand the meaning.

how to install solar power system for home-solar panel connnection

how to install solar power system for home-MC4

And here is the connection video for the MC4.
MC4 connectors are used because they are suited for all types of solar panels. Make sure to shut off all the breaker during the wiring installation.

how to install solar power system for home-what is MC4

This is a really great video showing how to do the connection for the MC4.

Use PV cable for the solar panel wiring. Which is include in our accessory package.

how to install solar power system for home-PV cable

Double XLPE/XLPO installations.
Over 25years life time.

Step3. PV combiner wiring

how to install solar power system for home-PV combiner wiring

Next step is to fix the solar panels with the mounting structure. This is done by tightening nuts and bolts. Care is taken to secure the whole structure properly so that it is sturdy and lasts long.

Connect the wire from solar panel to PV Array Combiner. Run the 4mm2 PV cables from the solar panels to PV Array Combiner, and cut it to length.

how to install solar power system for home-PV combiner

Ensure the PV combiner breaker is switch off, and use Multimeter to test each string voltage and total voltage.
It should be solar panel open voltage around 184V.
(solar panel Voc:46.8V X 4≈184V）

Step4. MPPT Controller wiring

Make sure every breaker is off during the installation.

Step5. Battery wiring

how to install solar power system for home-Battery

You will be wiring the battery bank with 8pcs batteries, to create a 96V±10V battery bank.

When wiring the battery cable, ensure that you fully attach each cable at both ends before moving onto the next.

how to install solar power system for home-battery cable

Make sure every nuts and bolts is fasten.

how to install solar power system for home-battery connection

how to install solar power system for home-battery terminal

Step6. Install Solar Inverter

how to install solar power system for home-inverter

Connect the batteries via breaker to the inverter. The inverter usually installed near the main panel and better to put in in cool place. It should be indoor and well kept.

Usually there are 2 mode for inverter option. You can choose according to your need.

City first: In daytime, solar panel charge the battery. When city grid cut off, the inverter switch to use battery power.

Battery first: In daytime, solar panel charge the battery. Battery supply power. When battery power not enough, inverter switch to use grid power. When battery is fully charged, the inverter will switch to use battery power again.

Click here to know more about how the inverter work.

Use Multimeter to test the voltage, and do not reverse the polarity, it will harm the battery and the inverter. Battery voltage should be 96V ±10V

Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!

how to install solar power system for home

Connect AC input from grid and AC output for your home appliance.

how to install solar power system for home-city grid

Step7. Start and Test Solar system

The final step is to turn on all the breaker in step and test the newly installed solar panel system. After that, the solar power system installation process is completed.
① 2P breaker from battery to inverter

② Inverter battery Switch

Wait for 10second

③ Inverter Rectifier Switch

④ Inverter Output Switch

Turn on home appliance one by one

⑤ PV Array combiner breaker

⑥ 2P breaker from controller to batter

Solar Panel Maintenance

There are not much costs for the Maintenance solar power system. Once you have covered the installation, there are no moving parts and require little maintenance for the solar panel.

We suggest you check and clean your solar panel every season. Because if there are dirt in the solar panel, it will block the solar panel from absorbing the sun. And this may harm the solar panel.

We suggest clean the solar panel in early morning or at night. Using normal garden hose to wash the face of the panels. Also avoid spraying them with cold water while they are hot because that might damage them.

Battery Maintenance

Because battery is a very important in an off-grid solar power system. It’s necessary to maintain the battery on time.
Check your battery every now and then to make sure its terminal connections are clean. Keep the area around batteries clean and dry.Monitor the voltage every 2-3 months.
If one battery voltage drop a lot, pull that battery out and recharge it. But you should contact us first. And we will send you guidance accordingly. Don’t do that before letting us know.

And if you have any question, contact us in any time.

Jim Lai

Jim is the creator of InkPV. An good solar installer, he is passionate about all aspects of solar projects for the home and commercial.

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E-mail : info@inkpv.com

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Address: 3rd Floor, Block 3, area C,European Industrial Park, Chancheng District, Foshan, Guangdong, China

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How to install solar power system for home

How to install solar power system for home in 7 easy steps

Preparation

Required tools

Connection drawing

Step1. Mount Installation

Step2. Solar panel wiring

Step3. PV combiner wiring

Step4. MPPT Controller wiring

Step5. Battery wiring

Step6. Install Solar Inverter

Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!

Step7. Start and Test Solar system

Solar Panel Maintenance

Battery Maintenance

Jim Lai

share to:

Our products

latest QA center

Feature Blog

Contact us

Customized 24-hours off-grid solar electricity

What our customers say?

Joseph D

Rich H

Anees Abdullah lutf

Bill M

Norla M.

Dirp O

Write to us

How to install solar power system for home

How to install solar power system for home in 7 easy steps

Preparation

Required tools

Connection drawing

Step1. Mount Installation

Step2. Solar panel wiring

Step3. PV combiner wiring

Step4. MPPT Controller wiring

Step5. Battery wiring

Step6. Install Solar Inverter

Don’t reverse the polarity!Don’t reverse the polarity!Don’t reverse the polarity!

Step7. Start and Test Solar system

Solar Panel Maintenance

Battery Maintenance

Jim Lai

share to:

Our products

latest QA center

Feature Blog

Contact us

Customized 24-hours off-grid solar electricity

What our customers say?

Joseph D

Rich H

Anees Abdullah lutf

Bill M

Norla M.

Dirp O

Write to us

Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!
Don’t reverse the polarity!