Solar panels are electronic devices that generate electricity sourced from the radiation of the sun. They are mainly installed on rooftops or on an open area of land that receives the most sunlight. Today, there are various solar panel types and these devices can also be optimized depending on their intended purpose.
Solar panels offer a great method to save on energy bills and reduce our carbon footprint. Other benefits that solar panels provide include:
– Providing shade for a home during the summer months
– Adding more value to a home
What Type Of Solar Panel Is Better For Home Use?
Solar panels are available in different sizes and shapes, and each offers different features. But it’s always good to consult with expert solar Florida companies for guidance on the best options.
Solar Panel Types
The three main solar panel types include polycrystalline, amorphous silicon, and monocrystalline.
Polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels contain silicon cells. The monocrystalline cells feature a single silicon crystal and polycrystalline cells feature several smaller crystals.
The amorphous silicon solar panels feature an additional layer made up of an amorphous-semiconductor material that protects the surface of the photovoltaic cells from the harmful UV rays of the sun. These rays can reduce the efficiency of the cells or even damage them.
The most efficient and common solar panel type is monocrystalline. These panels offer high-efficiency ratings and most are backed by a 25-year warranty. They cost more than the polycrystalline panels, yet provide advantages such as durability and efficiency that make these products well worth the additional cost.
Solar Panel Inverters
The solar inverters are available in micro-inverters and string inverters. The string inverters are the more common solar-power system type used today. In this system, every panel connects to a single central inverter. The systems that use micro-inverters involve solar panels that each connect to their own inverter. The main benefit of the micro-inverters is their higher efficiency and they also produce an improved quality of power when compared to a string inverter system. With the micro-inverters, each of the panels can be maintained and monitored independently.
How To Choose The Best Solar Panels For Your Home
Before choosing a solar panel system for your property, here are a few factors to consider:
– Efficiency
The first consideration before installing solar panels is to determine the product’s efficiency. For example, SunPower offers the highest rating when it comes to efficiency, but you can choose from many other types of high-efficiency panels. The standard for efficiency when it comes to solar panels is 17% to 20% (anything higher is regarded as top of the range).
– Check The Warranty
Before you invest in solar panels, find out about the warranty. Look for a minimum of 10 years so that you know your investment is covered. Solar panels are also often eligible for incentives and rebates, so visit the government website in your local area to find out, and find out from different solar panel retailers if you can get any additional savings.
– Compare Efficiency And Price
Before buying solar panels, you should also compare the efficiency and price of various products. These are not always equal, which can mean more expensive products might be less efficient when you compare them to cheaper ones. Over and above efficiency and price, there are other factors including inverters and installation costs that also need to be considered before making your final purchase decision.
The number of solar panels your home will need will also depend on several factors, including your energy-consumption habits. EnergySage is one of the best places to compare quotes on different solar systems. This site will allow you to compare your options based on your specific needs, budget constraints, and preferences.
Conclusion
When adding a solar panel system to your property, your first consideration should be your energy requirements. These factors include how big your family is and the types of appliances that you are using. Choosing how many solar panels you will need will depend on the exposure of your roof to the sun, consumption levels, and what type of surface area is available. You should also account for the solar panel types you are interested in. Some will be a lot more efficient when compared to others, so make sure you do a bit of research before deciding on the best system for your home.
