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Tips For Selecting Solar Panels

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Thomas Shaw
Tips For Selecting Solar Panels




Thinking about utilizing solar energy as a way of greening your life and lightening your environmental footprint? When selecting panels for the solar power system, you'll find a number of elements worth considering. Get a lot more information about DIY Solar Panels



Expense



The cost of a solar panel is determined in part by the size (in Watts), the physical size, the brand, the durability / longevity (or warranty period) and any certifications the solar panel could have. Picking a solar panel on cost alone is just not sensible, as it might not fit the region you want to install it, might not have the needed certifications to qualify for government rebates, or might not have the warranty required for economic payback of your power made.



Durability / Longevity / Warranty



The durability or longevity of a solar panel is essential for any number of motives. Firstly, in the event the solar panel only has a 10 year warranty and it really is used within a grid connect system you'd expect the solar panel to produce enough power to pay for itself within 10 years.



Also, when the panel should be to be used in a critical system you should not threat installing solar panels that are not as robust as the other folks. Respected solar panels will have warranty a period of 25 years.



Solar Panel Size and Wattage



The size of the solar panel in Watts will directly affect the price, as solar panels are usually priced (and compared) in dollars per Watt.



Watts are associated with the output of every single panel; which means a 100 Watt panel below perfect conditions will create one hundred Watts of electricity every single hour along with a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 Watts every single hour. Consequently anticipate to spend double value for the 200 Watt panel, compared to the 100 Watt panel.



The output of a panel also affects the physical size in the panel, which means the 200Watt panel are going to be larger in size towards the one hundred Watt panel.



The type of solar cells used in its production also determines the size on the solar panel. They key issue to consider is the fact that your system overall has enough Watts to power your appliances, and that the solar panels will physically match inside the region you want to install them.



Solar Panel Efficiency



There is considerably debate about efficiency in solar panels, i.e. how efficient the panel is in converting sunlight to electricity; however the key point to remember is the fact that a one hundred watt solar panel will generate 100 watts; no matter its efficiency ratings.



Solar Cell Type



There are 3 key sorts of solar cells.



Mono-crystalline silicon



Probably the most effective and produces the smallest solar cells, and consequently the smallest panels.



Poly-crystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon



Produces the next most efficient form of cells, but equivalent wattage panels are bigger than their monocrystalline counterparts



Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon



Uses the least volume of silicon as well as produces the least effective solar cells. This indicates thin film system take up additional region than the other two, however it has the benefit of providing flexible panels that may be used on curved or irregular surfaces not suited to strong panels.



Solar Panel Suitability



Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline work really nicely in bright cool conditions, whereas amorphous (thin-film) silicon are going to be additional effective at larger temperatures.



We generally advocate monocrystalline or multi-crystalline for substantial unshaded roofs, and amorphous panels for roofs with partial shading.



Irrespective of the technology at present in use, a solar panel in complete shade will only create a smaller fraction of its rated capacity; so the "shade tolerant" features you might see advertised can be somewhat misleading.

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