Thinking about utilizing solar energy as a way of greening your life and lightening your environmental footprint? When selecting panels for your solar power system, there are a number of factors price considering.

Price

The price of a solar panel is set partly by the size (in Watts), the physical measurement, the brand, the durability / longevity (or warranty interval) and any certifications the solar panel would possibly have. Selecting a solar panel on price alone just isn't wise, as it may not fit the world you wish to install it, might not have the required certifications to qualify for government rebates, or might not have the warranty required for economic payback of the ability produced.

Durability / Longevity / Warranty

The durability or longevity of a solar panel is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, if the solar panel only has a 10 yr warranty and it is used in a grid connect system you would anticipate the solar panel to produce sufficient power to pay for itself within 10 years.

Also, if the panel is to be used in a critical system you should not risk installing solar panels that are not as sturdy because the others. Reputable solar panels could have warranty a interval of 25 years.

Solar Panel Measurement and Wattage

The scale of the solar panel in Watts will directly have an effect on the price, as solar panels are usually priced (and compared) in dollars per Watt.

Watts are related to the output of every panel; that means a one hundred Watt panel under excellent conditions will generate 100 Watts of electricality each hour and a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 Watts every hour. Subsequently anticipate to pay double worth for the 200 Watt panel, compared to the one hundred Watt panel.

The output of a panel additionally affects the physical size of the panel, meaning the 200Watt panel shall be larger in size to the one hundred Watt panel.

The type of solar cells used in its production additionally determines the dimensions of the solar panel. They key situation to consider is that your system overall has enough Watts to power your appliances, and that the solar panels will physically fit in the space you wish to set up them.

Solar Panel Effectivity

There's much debate about efficiency in solar panels, i.e. how efficient the panel is in changing sunlight to electricity; but the key point to recollect is that a a hundred watt solar panel will produce a hundred watts; regardless of its efficiency ratings.

Solar Cell Type

There are 3 most important types of solar cells.

Mono-crystalline silicon

Probably the most efficient and produces the smallest solar cells, and due to this fact the smallest panels.

Poly-crystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon

Produces the subsequent most efficient type of cells, however equal wattage panels are bigger than their monocrystalline counterparts

Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon

Makes use of the least amount of silicon and also produces the least efficient solar cells. This means thin film system take up more area than the other two, but it has the advantage of offering versatile panels that can be utilized on curved or irregular surfaces not suited to stable panels.

Solar Panel Suitability

Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline work very well in brilliant cool conditions, whereas amorphous (thin-film) silicon will be more environment friendly at higher temperatures.

We typically suggest monocrystalline or multi-crystalline for large unshaded roofs, and amorphous panels for roofs with partial shading.

Regardless of the technology at the moment in use, a solar panel in full shade will only generate a small fraction of its rated capacity; so the "shade tolerant" features you may see advertised might be somewhat misleading.