Vertical or horizontal: how to install solar panels

Módulos en vertical u horizontal: qué cambia realmente

If you are thinking about installing solar panels, there are many factors that you need to check. However, the demand for solar panels is increasing worldwide as it is an evergreen and cost-effective way to use the sun’s energy. 

Choosing the right angle is one of the main concerns for solar panel installation in Madrid . The two ideal options are vertical and horizontal orientations. But, if you are not sure about the correct orientation, this blog highlights the basics that will help you achieve your solar goal. 

What is vertical solar panel installation?

In vertical solar panel installation, the array of panels is mounted in a vertical orientation on a roof or other structures.

This type of installation is also known as vertical orientation. The panels are placed flat, parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the roof surface. However, this installation orientation is useful in regions far from the equator or with long winters. 

Advantages:

Better Performance in Winter- It captures more sunlight during winter, ensuring higher energy output even in low sunlight. 
Space Efficiency- It is ideal for irregular or space-limited roofs and good solar system efficiency. 
Unique Design Possibilities- With vertical solar panels, you can enhance the visual appearance and aesthetics of your home. It comes in modern designs that give a peachy look to any space. 

Cons:

Less exposure to sunlight – a vertical orientation receives less sunlight, even in the middle of the day, than horizontal solar panels.
More complex installation – installing vertical solar panels is demanding, as it requires skilled labour and custom racking systems.
Aesthetic considerations – people usually prefer a conventional solar system, as they find vertically mounted panels out of keeping with the roof.

What is horizontal solar panel installation?

People with flat roofs can install horizontal solar panels. This method involves placing the panels on a surface such as a roof or a ground-mounted structure, lying flat and parallel to the ground. It is the conventional way of installing solar panels so that they absorb sunlight directly.

Ventajas:

Greater solar exposure – converts sunlight into electricity effectively by capturing much of the sun during the day.
Simple installation – installing horizontal solar panels is straightforward and cost-effective. It only needs rails and brackets to fit the panels to your roof.
Visually discreet – these panels blend into the design of your home and preserve the look of your property.

Desventajas

Less energy in winter – during the winter months, when the sun is lower in the sky, horizontal solar panels may receive less sunlight. This can also reduce energy output in cold climates.

Lower space efficiency – if roof space is limited, horizontal solar panels are not the most suitable option, as they need more space to produce solar energy efficiently.

Why are solar panels installed in a vertical orientation?

Solar panels are generally installed horizontally to increase their exposure to the sun. In some cases, however, residential solar systems may be installed vertically for specific reasons.

Vertical installation uses fewer rails, which lowers costs.
It makes better use of roof space and suits roofs with constraints.
Many companies prefer it for its practicality and efficiency.
It adds architectural value.
It is particularly effective in cold climates for residential solar needs.

Why are panels installed in a horizontal orientation?

Choosing horizontal solar panels helps you save on maintenance costs. If your budget is limited, horizontally oriented panels are a good option. There are several reasons to choose a horizontal orientation, such as:

Flat or pitched roof: Horizontal panels are ideal if vertical panels protrude too far.
Aesthetic harmony: Horizontal panels fit with local visual standards where this orientation is common.
Optimal sunlight: Ensures constant light exposure throughout the day for better energy generation.
Cost-effective: Minimal installation costs, no need for specialized labor and fewer components.

Conclusion

Solar panel systems are beneficial for both residential and business areas. However, both options are ideal for reducing your electricity bill and helping you move towards a sustainable future. 

Whether you need a horizontal or vertical solar panel installation in Madrid, Keiken Engineering can help. Rely on the experts for a quality solar panel installation. Contact us for a sustainable and green future with the best energy saving solutions.

Energy Saving Strategies For Small Businesses To Maximize Savings

Medidas de ahorro energético para pequeñas y medianas empresas

In the present economy, small business operations have received significant attention, with one of the prime responsibilities being operating expenditure management. 

Energy is one key area where businesses can minimize costs. By implementing energy-efficient practices, companies can invest in a brighter future and save money simultaneously.

This blog explains how to choose the ideal corporate power source for optimization, energy efficiency for industry solutions, business electricity suppliers, and the best five energy-saving recommendations. 

Understanding Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the capacity to perform a job with less energy than renewable energy, which concentrates on lowering energy waste. Energy efficiency is crucial in the SME sector since it reduces businesses’ energy expenses. It involves employing energy-saving measures and putting adequate energy into practice using effective tools and mechanisms.

Selecting the ideal Business Electricity Supplier

A newly established company’s energy efficiency depends on the kind of power source selected. Therefore, small business electricity suppliers lead the market based on price, service availability, and electrical energy plans that meet customers’ needs. Consider the following points when comparing small business energy suppliers:

Business Energy Plans- When you search for business energy-saving services, please ensure the plans are ideal for your company’s activities.

Business Energy Prices- To obtain the user data,  the prices offered by different providers must be evaluated to choose the best deal.

Customer Service- Always look for an energy solution company with an excellent track record regarding client relations.

Top Energy-Saving Tips for Small Businesses

Conduct Energy Audit
It is better to conduct periodic energy audits to determine where the company is losing energy and what changes need to be made. These audits can identify energy waste and give suggestions for reducing it.

Employ Energy-Efficient Appliances
One way to reduce energy consumption is to buy energy-efficient alternatives. It can be washing machines and tumble dryers with Energy Star ratings. Several energy-conversant appliance options are on the market now that don’t compromise performance.

Upgrade Lighting Systems
Energy-efficient light bulbs, those with light-emitting diodes, must be used instead of outdated ones. They consume less energy and are more effective than older types, which need to be replaced frequently and add to the high price tag with time.

Install Smart Thermostats
These appliances let businesses operate AC and heating systems as efficiently as possible. Additionally, they are programmed to maintain their current temperature and save money on electricity consumption in the early hours of the day.

Insulate Your Property
Double or even triple-glazed windows, weatherproofing doors, windows, and other building components can significantly help reduce heat loss during certain seasons, like winter. This helps control the workspace’s energy efficiency by reducing the number of times the space has to be warmed.

Renewable Energy Solutions
Small businesses are moving toward environmentally friendly solutions for their organizations. One of the best options for this is solar panels. Employing renewable energy sources will help businesses reduce their energy usage, given the recent rises in power prices. For example, solar energy generators are a valuable asset in offering a steady flow of electricity to the building and can result in significant long-term savings.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and Systems
It is beneficial for small firms to switch to energy-efficient equipment like HVAC systems, tumble dryers, and washing machines, which significantly impacts their energy use. These appliances are designed to consume less energy while performing their functions, reducing their carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy costs.

Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

There are many potential benefits to installing energy-efficient solutions in commercial buildings, including- 

Energy Assessments

Biannual energy audits can offer recommendations and help identify areas that could be functioning at optimal efficiency.

Reducing Energy Consumption

The benefits of energy conservation go beyond financial considerations; that is, it includes environmental preservation. Here are some methods to make this happen: 

Energy Conservation

Regular reminders to turn off lights and devices that don’t need to be on to save energy.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

Change out the fixtures and the conventional bulbs for energy-efficient alternatives. 

Optimise Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling devices run at a steady temperature, and the models used must be low-energy.

Achieve Optimal Energy Efficiency

The methods to enhance energy efficiency are to replace inefficient solutions with more efficient ones and to support sufficient energy planning. As a result, small companies that choose cheap energy and encourage an efficient energy consumption system gain financially from their efforts and contribute to the sustainability objective. 

The bottom line

Small firms can meet their company electricity goals and achieve energy efficiency for industry by carefully choosing their electricity supplier, being consistent with energy-saving techniques, and thinking about the possibilities for green energy uses. Using energy-saving techniques also encourages ecologically responsible corporate operations, not making it only about saving energy. For more such tips on energy-saving solutions, contact Keiken Engineering. 

How to treat industrial wastewater with polyelectrolyte filtration

Coagulación y floculación en el tratamiento de aguas residuales industriales

Industrial wastewater poses a great threat to ecology and human health. The main concern is how to reduce the harm of industrial wastewater and recover its useful components. This would achieve the double benefit of environmental protection and economy. 

However, outdated methods have disadvantages such as low treatment efficiency, strict environmental conditions, huge amounts of sludge and secondary pollution. The preparation of polyelectrolytes using ultrafiltration technology has advantages such as high treatment efficiency, no phase change, low energy consumption and no secondary pollution.

The principle of polyelectrolyte ultrafiltration

The combination of polyelectrolytes and contaminants occurs through electrostatic interaction and complexation. The technology mainly utilizes the electrostatic attraction between polyelectrolytes and contaminants. The polyelectrolyte, when dissolved in water, ionizes into a polyon and many counterions that have opposite charges to the polyon. Since there are many fixed charges in the molecular chain, an electrostatic field exists around it.  

When the charged contaminant and the oppositely charged polyelectrolyte are mixed, the diameter of the contaminant widens. It is easily retained by the ultrafiltration membrane. Although water and some unbound contaminants can pass through the membrane, most contaminants are effectively separated from the wastewater. Of course, in the wastewater, metal ions form complexes with the functional groups of the polyelectrolyte.  

Either by electrostatic attraction or by coordination bonds, metal ions bind to the polyelectrolyte, causing it to widen in diameter and be retained by the ultrafiltration membrane. This is done to remove heavy metals from the water.

Types and applications of polyelectrolytes

Based on the properties of the molecular chain groups, polyelectrolytes can be divided into three types:

cationic polyelectrolytes
anionic polyelectrolytes
amphoteric polyelectrolytes
For different treatment objects, polyelectrolytes should be chosen based on the contamination of the wastewater. This helps to determine the specific circumstances of the object.

What are the factors that influence polyelectrolyte ultrafiltration?

1. The concentration of polyelectrolyte

As the polyelectrolyte concentration increases, the number of binding sites that can bind contaminants in a unit volume of solution increases, and the rate of contaminant removal by polyelectrolyte ultrafiltration increases. 

Therefore, the polyelectrolyte concentration should be appropriately considered. The contaminant removal rate and permeation flux are the best values ​​that can maintain a high permeation flux while meeting the removal rate needs. 

2. The pH value of industrial wastewater. 

The pH value is one of the most crucial factors affecting the interaction of polyelectrolyte and metal cations. This influences the complex process of metal ions and polyelectrolytes. Different metal complexes have varying sensitivity to pH. Compared with Hg2+, the change in pH significantly affects the rejection of Cd2+, and this sensitivity occurs mainly in the pH range 5-6.

3. The influence of coexisting ions 

In the polyelectrolyte structure, the coexisting ions compete with the target ions for binding sites, which affects the combination of the target contaminants and the polyelectrolyte. The second fact is that the presence of salt ions increases the ionic strength of the solution and the polyelectrolyte. 

The electrical double layer is compressed, which reduces the electrical potential. This reduces the electrostatic interaction between the contaminants and the polyelectrolyte, leading to a decrease in their retention rate.

Methods for recycling polyelectrolyte

One of the methods is to improve the recovery and utilization of polyelectrolytes. A large amount of polyelectrolyte is used in the preparation of polyelectrolytes. Therefore, the operating cost is high during continuous operation. In this case, it is directly discharged into the environment, which is likely to cause secondary pollution. 

Therefore, to recycle polyelectrolytes, reduce operating costs and minimize the risk of secondary pollution. Polyelectrolyte recovery methods mainly include 

  • acidification ultrafiltration
  • ultrafiltration with salt addition
  • electrolytic recovery
  • combination of these three methods.

Conclusion

Water treatment is an essential process that requires constant innovation to solve global challenges related to water quality. The preparation of polyelectrolytes is one such advancement in water treatment solutions. 

Keiken Engineering has been a leader in unlocking the potential of polyelectrolytes to improve water treatment processes. Contact us today if you need help getting clean, safe water to your home or business.