What equipment do you need for a solar panel system?

To go solar, you'll need solar panels, inverters, racking equipment, and performance monitoring equipment––at a minimum. Depending on where you live, you may also consider a solar battery. 

The components of a solar panel system are pretty simple. But different product options and brands can sometimes make the equipment selection process feel complex and confusing. We'll break down everything you need to know about solar equipment to prepare you.

The 5 main solar power system equipment types and technologies

Your primary equipment decision is the brand and type of panels for your system. For an easy guide to comparing and contrasting the top panel brands, check out our complete ranking of the best solar panels on the market, which puts panels from SunPower, REC, and Panasonic at the top.

Some factors to consider as you weigh your options are efficiency, cost, warranty, and technology type. Solar panels will generally be categorized as one of two technologies: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both types have the same function and are made from silicon cells, but the outward appearance and price differ significantly. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient and expensive and come with a dark blue or black tint. Polycrystalline panels are a lighter blue hue, the cheaper and less efficient option.

Generating rooftop solar energy is a simple process in which solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) power that can be delivered to a home's power system. However, most homes and businesses are wired to use alternating current (AC) power. That conversion from DC to AC is where inverters come into play, and there are several options to compare:

Homeowners are often surprised to learn that their solar panels are not nailed directly onto their roofs but instead mounted onto solar racking equipment. Racking allows your solar installer to optimally angle solar panels for maximum performance and helps attach the array to your roof without causing damage. Solar panels will ideally face south at an angle of between 30 and 50 degrees.

The term "racking" refers to a rooftop installation. There is also mounting equipment that is ideal for ground mount solar and solar carports, which can both serve the same purpose of maximizing the angle of the panels for sunlight exposure. With ground-mount solar, you can choose between fixed and track mounts. Fixed mounts are stationary, placed at a set angle and orientation, whereas track mounts are designed to adjust and "follow" the sun during the day as it moves across the sky.

One of the best reasons to go solar is the experience of watching your electric bills diminish over time. Having a good performance monitoring system is a key interest for solar homeowners. This nifty piece of solar energy equipment reports the hourly electricity production of your solar system.

In addition to being a fun way to watch your panels power your home, monitoring systems allow you to recognize potential performance issues and ensure maximum electricity production. There are two types of monitoring systems: onsite monitors, where the system is installed with your panels, and remote monitors, where your system is tracked through the cloud and can be monitored online.

Many homeowners interested in solar want to include some form of energy storage that will allow their solar panels to offer power during nighttime and disadvantageous weather. Many states offer net metering, which allows you to use the electrical power grid to essentially store excess electricity for use later on. If you have access to net metering, you probably don't need a battery unless you experience a lot of power outages. 

Without net metering, you should get a battery to maximize your solar savings. Solar batteries, like the Tesla Powerwall, typically use lithium-ion technology and last anywhere from 10-20 years. They usually add about $10,000 to your solar panel system.

There are three critical cases when your solar equipment decision really counts: