Solar panels are increasingly preferred by homeowners who are worried about the surging electricity cost. They want to have a system that not only cuts their electricity bills but also produces greener energy. The solar panel is the answer for all that. A glance at the solar panels market shows a huge variety.
Hundreds of different manufacturers offer varying products to cater to the different needs of the people. So much variety makes it difficult for potential buyers to pick the right product. This guide will help you to shortlist and eventually purchase the best solar panel for your specific needs in a wonderful city like Houston.
Things to consider while buying a solar panel
You need to evaluate all of the below features to get the best solar panel for your use:
Type
There are three major types of solar panels as described below:
- Monocrystalline
If you see a panel having black cells then it will most probably be monocrystalline. The black color depicts how light interacts with such panels. Their cells are made from silicon wafers.
- Polycrystalline
Polycrystalline is just like monocrystalline which is also made from silicon wafers. They both differ in the composition of the silicon been used. The polycrystalline cells are made from silicon crystal fragments which are melted together before they are sliced into wafers.
- Thin Film
Thin-film panels are composed using a variety of materials. The best type of thin-film is derived from cadmium telluride. The best thin type technology comes with a layer of glass given on the top for optimal protection and performance.
Size
Size is a very crucial determination for a solar panel. You need to determine where the amount of electricity needed to be consumed at home and also when you will be using it. As a rough estimate, a typical home usually consumes 20-kWh of energy in one single day. For such a home, a solar panel of 5kW would be good enough to meet the energy requirements during the day. This would give you a good idea to estimate the size of your solar panel system.
Capacity or the Number of Solar Panels Required
The power output of a solar system matters a lot more than only the number or size of the panels. The higher we have the nominal power rating for each of the panels, the fewer panels you will require to have for your home. If space on your roof is not an issue then it is much better to go for the cheaper panels with lesser efficiency. You may find same size panels with different but with different power output. Just a tip here is that fewer panels would mean quicker installation and lesser maintenance. To install solar panels we must be aware of the basics and get professional help if we need it.
Maintenance
The maintenance of solar panels is not much time-consuming but it is critical for optimal performance. They are exposed to sunlight, dust, and dirt which needs a thorough cleaning. You need to pick one which is easy to clean, as and when required. The solar panels usually come with a warranty of 25 years while you will get an inverter with warranty coverage of 5 to 10 years.
It is important to have your solar panel system tested after every 5 years by professional solar Florida companies and replace any stuff which is deteriorating the performance. It will mostly be the inverter that works nonstop for converting DC to AC energy.
Cost
The cost of the solar panels varies depending on the size and power out of the solar panel system. Starting with 3kW power output, you can consider spending anywhere between $3500 to $5000 covering all initial and setup costs. The 10kW solar panel system may cost $10,000 on average. Though on Fly zest you can find more about what to expect from the solar panels you buy.
Conclusion
Buying a solar panel is one of the smartest and the greenest choices that you could make for your domestic lifestyle. It will save you a good amount of money when evaluating on annual basis and the energy production will be cleaner as well as compared to the conventional one.
If you are looking to buy one then you need to consider your electricity needs as that would drive the size of the solar panel system for you. There are three different types available and you can buy one that meets our energy requirements and maintenance needs with excellent overall performance.
