Solar panels are the future of domestic energy production, and it’s an undeniable fact. Many homes can easily invest in solar technologies because of their lower acquisition costs and increasing suppliers.
However, finding the perfect solar panel will be quite a challenge with the many options homeowners can find out there. Thankfully, you have three easy ways to find the perfect solar panels using these three steps.
Price
All good solar panels cause a huge dent in the budget, but it doesn’t mean the priciest ones are always top-performing. You can also find a great number of solar panels that perform exceptionally well with a justifiable price tag. If it’s challenging to find proper solar panel pricing, you can always get recommendations from a trustworthy solar panel installation team in Golden, CO.
Manufacturing
You can find plenty of solar panel manufacturers with top-rated products with a single search engine query. It’s tempting to order solar panels from high-quality manufacturers, but you’ll need to make sure they have excellent solar installation teams to attach them to your roof. We highly recommend considering this step greatly because many homeowners have excellent solar panels that some installation teams can’t touch because they’re untrained and unqualified for the brand’s offers.
Installation team
Always choose a high-quality solar panel installation team in your area. Just like solar panels, a higher price tag doesn’t mean better service. Read reviews, evaluate their portfolio, and look through everything they can do for you before choosing to use their services.
If you need more technical details on how to select the perfect solar panels, here are further reading options from Energy Matters. Read more about it below.
As not all module manufacturers are equal. There are a variety of other factors that should influence your purchase decision rather than focusing solely on cost.
Tolerance
This is the range a panel will either exceed or not meet its rated power. For example, a solar module you purchase may have a ‘nameplate’ wattage of 200W. However, due to quality control issues, the output in ideal conditions may in reality only be 195W. A positive tolerance rating means the module will not only generate 200 watts, but perhaps more under standard testing conditions.
Temperature co-efficient
The temperature co-efficient rating is important to determine what the impact heat has on a solar panel’s operation after installation. The lower the percentage per degree Celsius, the better. The price of a module with low temperature co-efficiency can be a little more, but in Australia’s often hot conditions, a little extra cost can be worth it.
Conversion efficiency
The efficiency of how a solar panel converts light into electrical energy will determine how much power your system generates. If two solar panels cost the same, but one has a higher conversion efficiency, then that module provides the better value for money. That is assuming the claimed efficiencies are correct.
PID resistance
PID stands for potential-induced degradation. Caused by stray currents triggered by certain climate conditions, the phenomenon can cause substantial power loss. Good solar panels will display little or no PID.
LID resistance
LID stands for Light induced degradation. This is a process that occurs in the first few months after solar panels are installed. While this stabilises after a period, it can reduce the amount of power the module produces. A good solar panel will have little or no LID.
Embodied energy
Another important aspect to look at is the embodied energy of the solar panel. That is how energy intensive the production of the panel was and how quickly it will have paid itself back by producing more energy. Consider this aspect an environmental cost.
Durability / Longevity / Warranty
The durability or longevity of a solar panel warranty is important for a number of reasons – it can be an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in its products. Reputable solar panels will have a performance warranty a period of 25 years. All of our key modules; including REC Solar, feature this 25 year warranty period.
However, an important point to remember about warranty is that it will only be honoured for as long as the company operates. It’s another reason to select a well known brand of module rather than purchase an obscure low-cost brand that may disappear overnight. (Continue reading here to learn more)
If you have yet to find a reliable solar panel installation team in Golden, CO, you can always count on us at Roper Roofing & Solar to provide you with the best services for all your needs. Contact us today to learn more about everything that we can do for you.
