Solar energy in an apartment building. Is it possible to install solar panels for an ordinary apartment

Owners of city apartments will certainly be pleased with the opportunity to turn their own balcony into a small power plant - a source of free electricity. Such a balcony is unlikely to be able to compete with a nuclear reactor in terms of energy efficiency, but provide own heating and the lighting will be quite capable of him. This idea can be realized with the help of solar panels. About what it is and how to install solar panels on the balcony - read in our material.

Free cheese without a mousetrap

The brilliant Nikola Tesla once said that the space around us is an ocean filled with free energy. Exhausted by oil and gas addiction, humanity has always been looking for an opportunity to attach itself to this ocean and scoop up at least a small part of its contents. One of the ways to achieve this is associated with the use of devices that appeared in the 50s of the 20th century, called solar panels. Since their invention, they have been constantly improved, becoming more efficient, reliable and durable.

So how does a solar battery work? most important part modern solar battery is a solar cell, the material of which has semiconductor properties. Many of these parts are interconnected, forming panels of various sizes. Under the influence of solar radiation, the photocell generates a constant electricity, but it cannot be used directly to power consumers. To give such electricity a "digestible" form, they use a special device - an inverter..

Another important component of a solar cell is battery. It allows you to accumulate electrical energy during a period of intense solar radiation and then use it as needed.

Today, solar panels are used to produce photovoltaic cells. various materials, which differ from each other in cost and efficiency. The most common include:

1. Silicon polycrystals

This kind of photovoltaic cells is in the highest demand because it has the best cost-performance ratio. Another advantage is the ease of installation, which even an unprepared person can easily handle. You can recognize polycrystalline elements by their characteristic blue color.

2. Silicon monocrystals

Photocells of this type are more productive than polycrystalline, however, and their cost is significantly higher. The main feature of single crystals is that they have the shape of a polygon. This determines their inherent disadvantage: single-crystal photocells cannot be combined into a continuous array, there are always gaps between individual parts. Thus, part of the area collected from similar elements of the panel is wasted.

3. Amorphous silicon

This type of photocell is inferior in performance to the two described above, but still it is in sufficient demand due to its affordable cost.

4. Cadmium telluride

Photovoltaic cells made of this material have the form of a film up to 0.5 mm thick. Such a film can be partially transparent, which makes it possible to use it over the balcony glazing. In this case, in addition to its main function, it will play the role of glass tinting.

5. CIGS (semiconductor material)

CIGS-based photovoltaic cells are also made in the form of a film, but in comparison with cadmium telluride, they have a higher performance.

The differences in performance between these materials are very significant. For example, a panel of 1 sq. m, made of single-crystal silicon, in ideal conditions generates 125 watts of electricity. An amorphous silicon battery of the same area has an electrical power of only 50 watts.

The apartment is always warm. And to keep it in it as long as possible will help. Read more about its characteristics and use in our article.

And if you decide to sheathe your balcony with siding, for its installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of solar panels

The advantages of solar panels are obvious:

• free electricity;
• environmental friendliness;
• durability (service life modern systems ranges from 20 to 25 years);
• reliability (since batteries do not contain moving parts, they fail only in exceptional cases);
• minimal maintenance (panels only need to be cleaned from dust and dirt).

Among the shortcomings can be noted:

• instability (battery performance depends not only on the time of day, but also on the weather);
• high cost (the price of a more or less serious installation for domestic use starts from 3500 euros);
• low productivity in comparison with traditional energy sources.

Installation and use on the balcony

Before you start installing solar panels on your balcony, you should understand two things. First: the battery included in the installation kit does not tolerate low temperatures, so the balcony must be at least and. Secondly, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of switching all electrical consumers to power from the conventional power grid in case the performance of the solar battery drops due to bad weather.

Installing the battery is fairly easy. The panels are fixed on a frame made of a corner with a shelf width of 50 mm. The frame must be securely attached to the capital elements of the building - walls or slabs, otherwise the structure will not withstand snow and wind loads.

Do not forget that the solar panel has to be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt remaining after precipitation, so its panels should be placed in an accessible area.

Note: The battery has the highest efficiency if the rays fall on its surface at a right angle. In winter, the sun deviates from the summer position by an angle of 12 degrees, so the frame with photocells must also be able to rotate by this angle

Note to Samodelkin

The lack of sufficient financial resources is not a reason to give up on a dream. If you wish, you can organize a solar battery device with your own hands from quite affordable materials.

You will need:

• glass or plexiglass 4 mm thick - 700x1050 mm (one sheet);
• solar cells (can be ordered via the Internet) - 48 pcs. (4 rows of 12 pieces);
• aluminum profile (corner 20x20 mm);
• sealant;
• soldering iron;
• flux;
• tin;
• tires for soldering;
• multimeter.

Choice of photocells

Manufacturers offer us two types of photocells:

• monocrystalline (efficiency 13%);
• polycrystalline (efficiency 7 - 9%).

Single crystals serve up to 30 years, but they are sensitive to weather fluctuations: if the sun is covered by clouds, the power of the elements will decrease significantly. Polycrystalline elements can be operated for no more than 20 years, but they do not lose power in the presence of clouds.

Solar battery manufacturing

Speaking of solar panels, each of us, first of all, means their use somewhere in the country or in his country house. But few people think that batteries that consume solar energy can even be installed on the roof. apartment building, and in this case the solar system will have much more pluses.

This practice is highly developed in many European countries, but the good news is that Russia is not far behind them. Dozens of houses different regions countries are already equipped with solar panels, which have reduced lighting costs by several times. Who is the pioneer? How to organize this system? Answers to this and other questions in the following sections.

What is a solar panel kit suitable for?

There is no need to talk about the complete exclusion of the central power grid from the life of residents of an apartment building. Each apartment has a considerable number of electrical appliances, and the solar system is clearly not suitable for powering them. But street, access lighting, elevators, heating may well be carried out at the expense of solar energy.

In addition to installing solar panels, it will be necessary to provide for the replacement of conventional incandescent lamps. LED lamps consuming much less energy. And the use of motion sensors will allow you to turn on the lighting only if necessary, excluding the operation of lamps throughout the night. Practice shows that such a system can reduce the price per 1 kW by an average of 70-90%.

Organization of a system for an apartment building

The higher the power of the purchased solar system, the higher its price, but on the other hand, the less cost one individual element. A set of solar panels purchased by residents of the whole house will cost much less per person than a system installed in a country house. The SB system has the following advantages:

1. No need for additional space for installation. The solar panel kit is mounted on the roof of the house and on its south-facing side.
2. The energy accumulated during daylight hours can be spent on lighting and the operation of elevators at night.
3. High-rise buildings eliminate one of the main disadvantages of rooftop installation - shading by objects located in the neighborhood. This promotes good lighting. installed panels and, as a result, high performance.
4. The roofs of most houses are flat, which also simplifies the installation of batteries.

It turns out that the benefits of solar panels for an apartment will be much greater than for country house. For example, in Switzerland, a similar system for an apartment building was implemented 20 years ago. The SB set installed on it is used for heating and water heating for household needs. In Russia, similar systems do not have such a massive scale, but they also exist. More details in the next section.

Solar houses in Russian regions

Let's start with the capital. As an experimental site, on which a set of four solar panels was installed, house No. 15, located in Leontievsky Lane, served. Moreover, this idea was implemented already 6 years ago. To date, this is not the only sunny house in Moscow. The administration of the Svyatoshinsky district also distinguished itself, on the initiative of which 18 batteries were installed on the roof of the house at Bulgakov, 19. The generated energy is spent on lighting landings, attics, porches. According to the developer of the solar complex in Leontievsky Lane, their system paid off already in 2 years.

In October of this year, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, energy saving house, which is heated due to the fact that a set of collectors is installed on the roof of the house, which heats water in boilers in the basement of the building. Similar systems have also been implemented in Kemerovo and the Altai Territory. The residents of Yekaterinburg did not stand aside either. On its own initiative, the partnership of the house at 8, Rodonitovaya, installed a set of collectors, which is planned to be used to heat the apartments. Of course, we are talking about an additional source of heat supply, but this is already a big breakthrough for the Russians.

The largest number of houses, in which lighting is implemented using SB, is found in the Caucasus. In the village of Essentukskaya, at least 7 houses have already been disconnected from the central power supply network thanks to the installed solar modules, batteries and LED lamps. This allows apartment owners to save up to 2 thousand rubles a month. And in Novocherkassk in July this year, a house was put into operation, supply hot water in which SB is also provided.

The article was prepared by Abdullina Regina

Solar panels on the roof of a Yekaterinburg house:

Consumption ecology. Home: Alternative energy sources are becoming more affordable. Solar panels are increasingly seen on country houses or city balconies.

Despite all the advantages of using solar panels, alternative energy in our country is rather poorly developed.

Many reasons: from adverse weather conditions to high cost panels. But this does not stop many Russians, if you are one of these, then two options are possible: buying a ready-made set consisting of panels and a battery system, or self assembly individual details.

In the first case, the costs will be much higher. So, for example, a German company has developed a special solar design, the elements of which are 195 W panels. In the people they received the name "balcony power plants". Solar panels for the home, sold under the Sun Invention - Plug & Save brand, have standard sizes and special skills for their installation are not required. But their cost will confuse many - 2800 euros, such a solar system will not be affordable for everyone.

Another thing is the systems that numerous craftsmen make with their own hands. Information about them even sometimes appears in the media. The advantage of a solar battery assembled at home is not only its low cost (compared to a factory panel with identical characteristics, the costs will be 3 times less), but also the ability to take into account all the necessary technical details that suit your personal needs.

For Russian conditions experts advise choosing a polycrystalline module. It is better suited to weak Russian natural sunlight. All panel elements with this module are covered special laminate, which is resistant to both temperature extremes and the effects of snow and rain.

Most of the ready-made solar installations are equipped with batteries, controllers and devices with USB outputs and standard outputs suitable for charging lamps, portable devices and small household appliances.

Batteries on the balcony

Marina Bystrina from St. Petersburg installed a solar panel on the balcony.

I have a small solar battery, a polycrystal, standing on the balcony, my friends assembled it for me. It is connected to a USB adapter and I use it to turn on a mini-fan in the summer and for Turkish colored lamps throughout the year, says Marina Bystrina.

Ivan Gerasimov from Novosibirsk has medium-sized 65-watt solar panels on his balcony. According to him, they allow you to accumulate about 6 Amperes / hour. With this current, he manages to charge his laptop by about half. A phone from batteries can be fully charged in a few sunny morning hours, and two night lights from a fully charged battery can work for three nights in a row.

The installation generates more than 2500 watts, or 2.5 kW. An average laptop consumes about 100 watts per hour during operation, a phone - about 70, a lamp - 10-15 watts / h.

Permission to install

No additional legal permits are required to install solar panels on a balcony. The housing department at the place of residence clarified that if the batteries do not interfere with other residents, then they do not need to obtain permits for their installation.

Just in case, the Moscow Housing Inspection recommended contacting the Main Architectural and Planning Department of the Moscow Architecture Committee to find out if there would be any claims for a change appearance building. In some cases, when it comes to houses-objects cultural heritage, architectural monuments, changing the appearance of the facade of the building is possible only after obtaining permission.

The redevelopment associated with the installation of a solar battery is regulated by the Decree of October 25, 2011 N 508-PP of the Government of Moscow "On the organization of the reconstruction and (or) redevelopment of residential and non-residential premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings". It can be read in which cases approval is still required.

For enterprises, this is also relevant, but you need to order pnoolr to save on costs.

Moscow region experience

Dozens of companies offer the installation of solar panels in Moscow and the Moscow region. Even though battery performance is reduced by a factor of three to four during the winter months, using them can provide a small amount of energy. Vacation home from necessary minimum electrical appliances. solar installations enjoy increasing popularity among residents of the Moscow region.

How larger size battery, the more efficient it works. Yes, for lighting. country house an installation costing no more than 150-200 thousand rubles will be required. For big house- respectively, a large and expensive installation. Snow in winter is cleaned with an ordinary brush, and water does not linger on the panels due to the installation position, which the master selects, taking into account the conditions at a particular site.

On the feasibility of using solar panels for country house in the absence of a central power supply, it’s not worth talking about. Such systems are completely cost-effective and highly economical when compared to fossil fuel generators. But what about the apartment? How suitable are solar panels for apartment buildings Or individual apartments? What are the features of the installation and operation of such systems, we will try to analyze in this article.

Features of installation and operation of solar power plants in apartment buildings

IN last years it has become extremely fashionable to build "Eco houses", including multi-storey complexes with low energy consumption, energy-efficient lighting on LED lamps or geothermal heating. Awakened the interest of people and to solar energy as a renewable and endless source electrical energy. Solar power plants have become so common in the suburbs of megacities and in the news media that there is probably not a single person left who has not even heard about this technology. But use new technology in high-rise, multi-apartment complexes sometimes fraught with many restrictions:

• the space available for installing a solar array is generally too small in relation to the energy consumption per square meter building area;
• shading from adjacent buildings;
• high initial cost equipment,

All this makes it impossible to implement solar systems into existing infrastructure. After all, it is sometimes impossible to justify to each resident of an apartment building the cost of introducing a novelty. Therefore, in practice solar houses» are designed long before they are built, selecting locations and infrastructure that best meets the requirements of energy supply systems. At the design stage, engineers will think through all the nuances, minimizing the future energy costs of residents. Or solar panels are installed in homes for general needs, such as:

• illumination of entrances and nearby territories;
• power supply of the security and communication system;
• uninterrupted power supply of electricians of boiler rooms and other public systems.

Justifying such systems is much easier, and the cost of their initial installation is usually lower and pays off faster, bringing benefits to every tenant.

The third option for the use of photovoltaic cells in apartment buildings is individual systems backup power supply installed by residents of individual apartments for their own needs. As a rule, the problems faced by apartment owners dreaming of solar power plants are of the widest range:

• the impossibility of installing the system on the roof of the building due to the failure of the management company;
• lack of windows and, accordingly, adjacent walls (sometimes balconies) oriented to the south;
• shading from trees and nearby buildings, and as a result, limited space for placing an array of solar panels;
• prohibition of management companies on the installation of extraneous equipment on the facade of the house;
• other restrictions on the installation of other components of the equipment.

But despite a long list of restrictions, resourceful tenants multi-storey buildings nevertheless, they install backup systems that succinctly fit into the design of high-rise high-rise buildings.

Non-standard design of a balcony or a mini-power station in an apartment?

The south-facing balcony and radio engineering education of the owner of this apartment predetermined the future of its residents. Now they are not afraid of temporary blackouts or power outages. And the bills for light will flicker in smaller numbers. Indeed, on the balcony of this apartment, instead of the usual PVC panels, there are solar panels.

Four monocrystalline solar panels fit perfectly into the frame of an ordinary balcony, replacing its non-functional elements. Oriented almost due south, they are not shaded nearby standing houses, and generate almost the maximum possible energy. At the same time, the batteries do not damage overall design building, without being conspicuous and succinctly coexisting with other elements of the house.

In summer, such a system generates 1.0 -1.5 kWh per day and can provide energy for a small refrigerator or energy-saving apartment lighting. In winter, when the insolation drops to a large extent, the system will perform the function of an uninterrupted power supply when the mains electricity is turned off.

Currently, the use of energy generating technologies and devices for private use is gaining popularity. This allows to some extent save on the cost of heating and energy supply to the home. Multi-story houses are considered an excellent option for the placement of such systems, since in most cases the exposure to sunlight is maximum. Solar batteries on the balcony of the apartment will be able to ensure the operation of such devices as a lamp that can fully illuminate the balcony, loggia and other rooms, charge small battery equipment, appliances, etc.

A solar panel on a balcony can produce more than 2500 watts on average, depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe battery, its efficiency, as well as the time of year and weather. Lamp in the closet or outside, radio or small Appliances, laptop or phone - this is just an incomplete list of whose normal work can provide small solar panels. To date, garden lamps for private households are popular, however, the use of solar panels in high-rise buildings also became less popular.

The installation of solar panels does not require additional approvals or permits from the authorities or institutions that operate the residential building. The main condition for the unhindered use of such an innovative system as a solar panel on a balcony is the absence of discomfort for neighbors and ensuring the safety of persons and material assets located or located in the immediate vicinity of a residential building.

Many manufacturers and users declare the many benefits of using solar energy, thanks to which the demand for such technologies is growing every year. These should include:

• Saving the cost of power supply to a residential building (at the same time, you can illuminate an apartment, an entrance, or install a lamp that can illuminate the entire yard);
• Environmentally friendly technology for generating electricity;
• Long service life;
• Installation of a solar battery can be done by hand;
• The solar panel on the balcony is alternative source energy, albeit defective, in case the main power supply is turned off;
• The solar battery on the balcony is easy to install and does not require additional costs for periodic maintenance.

Despite many advantages, such systems also have a number of disadvantages, which, however, do not affect the technical and rational attractiveness of such a technology. The "cons" of using solar panels on a balcony or loggia include:

• Massive batteries that store energy. Their placement on the balcony significantly reduces the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis room;
• The high cost of finished equipment. In this case, you can significantly save on assembling the system with your own hands, however, the constituent components and parts are also very expensive;
• The solar battery on the balcony of the apartment is effective and useful only during daylight hours in clear weather.

Solar panels have different efficiencies, which largely depend on the type of solar cell used. There are the following types:

• silicon polycrystals. The most popular photocell in a solar battery, because it has an optimal ratio of price and electricity produced. In addition, polysilicon batteries are much easier to install. They are bluish in color.
• Silicon monocrystals. More productive than the polycrystalline version of the batteries, but also more expensive. Them distinguishing feature- their form. It is a polygon. This is their main drawback - it is impossible to assemble such photocells into a solid panel without gaps, therefore they are poorly suited for mounting on a balcony due to space limitations.
• amorphous silicon. Less efficient type of photocell compared to silicon. However, it is also quite often used for mounting on a balcony.
• Cadmium telluride. Photocell in the form of a thin film, up to 0.5 mm. Can be used over glazing to create a tinted effect.
• CIGS. It is a semiconductor material, also looks like a film, but is more productive than a panel based on cadmium telluride.

Different types of solar cells generate different amounts of energy. For example, a panel of 1 sq. m. of single-crystal silicon generates up to 125 watts, and the same area of ​​amorphous silicon will give only 50 watts. In addition, they are affected by different weather. Monocrystalline panels lose a lot of performance in cloudy weather, while polycrystalline panels produce the same power. Finally, they differ performance characteristics- the service life of a single-crystal panel is up to 30 years, a polycrystalline panel is up to 20.

The solar battery on the balcony provides for the use of special batteries, which are contraindicated low temperatures And high humidity. That is why, before installing such systems, you need to take care of the insulation of the loggia or balcony.

In the event that this room has a sufficient level of thermal insulation, you can proceed with the installation of solar panels.

Solar panels on the balcony are photocells in the form of plates, which are installed with the calculation of direct sunlight on their surface. For their reliable placement, a frame is formed from a metal or aluminum profile with a side thickness of about 50 mm. Electric welding is used to connect the parts of the frame. The distance between horizontal profiles should not exceed 20 cm. Metal carcass securely fastened with a bolt tie to the wall of the balcony, taking into account the fact that the user will be provided with full access to the entire surface of the photocells in order to care for them.

It should be taken into account the fact that the angle of incidence of direct sunlight changes throughout the day, so it would be useful to provide for the possibility of adjusting the angle of inclination of the main frame, which will allow rational use of solar panels on the balcony.

The frame must be treated with anti-corrosion agents or paints, which will reliably protect against the effects of precipitation.

After the external part of the system is installed and connected to the batteries, they must be connected to a group of electricity consumers with a power wire.