How To Create a Simple Wiring Diagram for Solar Panels?

According to USA Facts, energy consumption from hydroelectric power, wind, and solar energy exceeded coal consumption for the first time in 2019. Solar panels for homes became a trend, so it is not surprising that more than 4% of all energy was received from the sun in 2021. Several factors contributed to this:

• Rapid development of technologies
• Increased environmental awareness
• Financial incentives from the state
• Economic benefit

Pew Research Center reported a noteworthy shift in American attitudes, revealing that a majority of individuals began considering the installation of solar panels on their houses only in 2022.

Source: Pew Research Center

Installing solar panels on your roof, while both troublesome and exciting, introduces a potential health risk due to the involvement of solar wiring. To ensure your well-being, familiarize yourself with the fundamental guidelines governing solar panel wiring. 

In this article, we will tell how to wire a solar panel following the simplified scheme and how you can do this using digital means.

Why Is This Relevant Now?

The Department of Energy informs that the pace of using the power of the sun as a source of new electricity in America is increasing more than ever.

According to AD, solar panels can cost you between $17,430 and $23,870 (minimum and maximum price, respectively). Also, solar panel installation cost varies by the state in which you live.

Source: CNET

Your decision to abandon fossil fuels will save you money in the future. According to Statesman, the decreasing cost of solar energy, which has seen an 87% reduction over the past decade, contributes to the significant drop in solar panel prices.

So don’t miss your opportunity to install a solar system in your home not only for environmental goals but also as a cost-effective solution.

Solar Wiring Diagram: What It Is and How It Will Help You

First, let’s define a diagram of a solar system as a graphical representation of how the panels are physically and electrically connected in a solar installation.

There are many examples of such schemes online, but this variety should not be intimidating. It is not important how your scheme will look, as the main thing is the correctness and comprehensibility of its construction.

Why do you need a solar energy diagram? It serves a crucial purpose: to illustrate the trajectory of energy flow from solar panels through various electrical components to the input points of wiring solar panels. It’s like a manual for a newly purchased shelf, following which you step-by-step assemble all the parts into a pile.

Schematic Components of Solar Panel

Solar panel diagram includes various components that work together to collect, convert, and use energy. Let’s consider the main elements of the connection scheme:

1. Solar panels: Converts solar radiation into electricity using the photoelectric effect
2. Charge controller: Manages the process of charging batteries and protects them from overcharging and discharging
3. Accumulators: Store the generated energy for use during periods of poor solar radiation or at night
4. Inverter: Converts direct current into alternating current, suitable for use in electrical devices and input to the network
5. Protective automation (fuses, voltage limiters): Provides safety by protecting against electric shocks and overvoltages
6. Elements of electrical connection: Lines and cables connect all components and transmit electricity

Creating a Scheme for Connecting Solar Panels at Home

We have good news: you can design an electrical panel wiring diagram for solar panels without even leaving your home.

Here’s what you should know before starting work on the scheme:

• Basics of solar energy and its conversion into electricity, as well as relationships between voltage, current, and power.
• Personal energy needs and the required power of the panels.
• The functioning of each component in a solar system.
• Optimal location of panels, whether rooftop or on the ground.

If you have any doubts or questions, consider contacting electrical and solar engineering professionals.

You can depict the panel connection scheme in any convenient way for you:

• On paper by hand
• Enhance a ready-made scheme by adding details on the printout
• Utilize online tools to create

In our assessment, the final choice stands out as the most efficient for several reasons:

1. You can easily change, delete, and add new things. 
2. There is an opportunity to use ready-made pictures, lines, or shapes. 
3. The digital format ensures a cleaner and more realistic representation of the scheme.

Digital Tools for Creating a Circuit

Online tools can streamline and expedite scheme development, offering diverse capabilities for various stages of creation:

• Interactive calculators are convenient for calculating the number of a certain category and counting numbers.
• Digital builders simplify the process of developing a solar panel wiring diagram.

For technically accurate schemes, it is recommended to use specialized tools for designing solar systems:

1. PVsyst: designing detailed schemes, optimizing, and analyzing system performance.
2. Helioscope: 3D model design and panel placement optimization.
3. Microsoft Visio: the creation of simpler data visualizations and process execution.

To develop simple and creative schemes, we recommend using such digital designers as Photoshop or Canva.

Photoshop is the perfect choice for those looking for complete control over the design of their solar system schematic. With advanced editing and display capabilities, you can draw every part of the system.

Canva is the easiest tool to create attractive and informative diagrams quickly and easily. Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily add graphics, text, and shapes and use ready-made templates to speed up work.

You can see an example of building a scheme with a thorough explanation in this video.

Our experts will tell you how to create a solar system diagram using the Canva online platform.

Creating a Solar Panel Connection Diagram in Canva

We chose Canva to create the scheme for a reason. According to statistical data from Style Factory, this online platform has gained popularity with more than 150 million users.

Source: Style Factory 

The core advantages of this tool are accessibility, broad functionality, and the ability to organize joint work with others.

Stages of Creating a Scheme in Canva

Thanks to the simple interface, you will quickly understand how to work in Canva. Follow these steps for success:

Stage 1. Registration

Log in to Canva or create a new account to get started.

Stage 2. Choosing a Template

Select the size of the document or one of the ready-made templates for diagrams. The size can depend on your need, but a horizontal or square format is often more convenient.

Stage 3. Search for Co-Authors

If you want to work on the design at the same time as someone else, just give that person access: click on Share Design. Next, in the collaboration link, select “Everyone with the link,” copy it, and send it to your colleague.

Stage 4. Adding Graphics

Go to the Elements tab in the menu on the left, click on the search field, and select the desired Graphics frame. Write in the search field, for example: “battery”, select a picture and add it to the diagram. You need to add all the solar system components from this article.

Stage 5. Adding Text

Go to the Text tab in the menu on the left, choose a style (heading, subheading, main), and insert the text. You need to sign all the components of the solar system, as well as the “+” and “-” poles of panels and other elements.

Stage 6. Adding Items

Go to the Elements tab in the menu on the left, click on the search box, and add arrows to indicate the direction of energy flow, lines to indicate the connections of system components, etc., to your document. You need to add and combine all the components of the solar system.

Stage 7. Change Color and Font

Click on any text in the diagram. Then, the top panel will open, and you can select the font and its color. Your scheme will be clear and readable.

Stage 8. Saving Changes

When you’re done, save your diagram by clicking File –> Save. You can also share the schematic link with others by clicking Share Design and Download.

By following our instructions, you will easily create a solar system connection diagram in no time.

Empowering Your Solar Future With Solar Panel Wiring Diagrams

By 2027, the amount of energy generated by solar installations will surpass that produced by coal, becoming the largest in the world. So, the installation of panels is a visionary decision.

Now, you know how to work with Canva to create a custom panel connection scheme. It will save you money and deepen your knowledge of energy and engineering.

Take the scheme’s creation seriously because it is not just a picture but your step-by-step action plan to make your dream come true.

Frequently Asked Questions