How Not to Do It - Arizona Solar Center - Your Guide to Solar and Other Renewable Energy Sources in Arizona

How Not to Do It

Following is a collection of common mistakes made when installing solar electric systems.

	How Not to Install PV - Shadow Considerations This PV array was installed under a tree and as a result the branches of the tree were casting shadows on the PV modules.
	How Not to Install PV - Orientation & Shadowing Here the photovoltaic module is facing West and gets very little sunshine. In addition, a shadowing issue further reduces the output.
	How Not to Install Batteries - Battery Post Meltdown! What's the Ampacity of a 3/8" Bolt? Bolts are not for current carrying. Bolts are to hold lugs, etc. in tight contact with electrical terminals.
	How Not to Treat Batteries - Maintaining Electrolyte Levels During normal operation, water is lost from a flooded lead-acid battery as a result of evaporation and electrolysis...

Please contact us if you have additional examples for posting here. These can be related to photovoltaic installations or to other solar technologies. We will arrange with you to get pictures and explanations. Thanks.