Humans have been using various forms of energy, such as fossil energy like petroleum, coal, natural gas, geothermal energy, wind energy, hydropower, and nuclear energy, for a very long time. However, some of these energy sources create a lot of pollution. So to protect the earth from harm, we need to switch to smart way of energy sources that do not cause pollution. The first thing that comes to mind is the ultimate source of power, “the sun.” The energy from the sun is called solar energy.
A lesser-known fact is that this technology was discovered in the 7th century B.C. During those times, people used glass to focus the sunlight to start a fire. However, the times have changed, and with rapid advancement in technology, today we have solar-powered vehicles and buildings. This technology is getting quite trendy, and lots of people all around the world are buying and installing solar panels because of its multiple advantages.
So, if you are planning to buy a solar panel but, before making the purchase you want to gain some insights about it, then you are in the right place. Here, in this detailed guide, we will provide you with all the information about solar panels, like the types, benefits, costs, and other important things to consider that will help you select the right solar panel.
What Is A Solar Panel System?
Solar panels are also called photovoltaic (PV) panels. They are designed to collect the energy from the sunlight and transform it into electricity; this whole process is called the photovoltaic effect. This energy is used for powering homes, offices, buildings, and even vehicles like cars. These solar panels are created by solar cells that are made from a crystalline silicon material. Every solar panel contains a large number of solar cells placed on the surface of the solar panel. These solar cells work both as receivers and transformers as they gather the light from the sun and convert it into energy.
“Once you got a solar panel on a roof, energy is free. Once we convert our entire electricity grid to green and renewable energy, the cost of living goes down.” - Elizabeth May
Types Of Solar Panels For Home
There are mainly three types of solar panels that are made for homes. They are monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels, and thin-film solar panels. Each one of them is unique and has a different appearance. Below you will find detailed information about these solar panels.
1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are made by using pure silicon, which is why they are also considered the best solar panels. One of the biggest advantages of this panel is that it requires very little space in comparison to other types of solar panels, yet it is the most efficient. They are the best option for commercial use and have a very long lifespan. Monocrystalline solar panels can even perform well when there is less sunlight. These solar panels can be installed quite easily without putting much effort into them. They are completely black because of the use of pure silicon. However, you can choose the colour of the frames and back sheets from a variety of colour options. Because of all these reasons, monocrystalline solar panels are also the most expensive solar panels on the market.
2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are also made by using silicon, just like monocrystalline solar panels. However, they cost much less than monocrystalline because instead of using a large silicon crystal, they use fragments of silicon, which makes them a pocket-friendly option. Because of this, polycrystalline solar panels have gained huge popularity among people. Polycrystalline solar panels are quite an eco-friendly option because, unlike monocrystalline solar panels, these panels do not require heating, shaping, slicing, or placing. Instead, the bulk of the silicon is used during production, so the amount of waste is very low. They appear blue in colour when the light of the sun is reflected upon them. Apart from that, they come in square shapes and have some empty gaps between them, and the frames mostly come in silver colour.
3. Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels are the latest type of solar panel and have become very popular for their quality of being the most adaptable solar panel among all three of them. The reason for their unique and flexible nature is that they are made using different types of materials. Other than only using silicon, they also use materials like cadmium telluride (CdTe), amorphous silicon (a-Si), and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). They are manufactured by spreading these materials into a thin sheet and layering them with a protective glass covering. Thin-film solar panels can be easily identified because they have a very thin appearance. However, the frames for these panels are about as large as the other kinds of solar panels. The colour of these solar panels completely depends on the materials, but mostly they can be found in either black or blue.
The Benefits Of Solar Panels
Nowadays, more and more people are switching towards solar panels as they provide their users with multiple benefits. Below you will find some points that give you information about how using solar panels can be beneficial for you.
1. Saves Money: This is the first and one of the greatest benefits that you get by using solar panels. It saves you money from spending on energy bills as your home is powered by a personal electric grid.
2. Increase The Property Value: A house that is powered by solar panels works as a great bonus point. So, if you are planning to sell your house, then this will become a major factor in increasing the overall rate of your property.
3. Environment: Friendly: Solar panels provide you with lots of energy without causing any pollution or damage to the environment, as the sun is the ultimate natural source of power.
4. Reduces The Risk Of Electric Grid Failures: Installing a solar panel will allow you to have your own electric grid system. This is especially beneficial for people who live in areas where they frequently face issues with power cuts.
5. Great Source Of Power: Sunlight is one of the greatest sources of energy. By having solar panels, you will be able to fulfill your electrical requirements. Even if you are living in an area where people do not get much sunlight, it will still help you reduce the cost of your electricity bill.
“The use of solar energy offers huge potential for natural resources and climate protection, and for the expansion of renewable energies on the road to a future-oriented energy supply.” – Margareta Wolf
Things To Consider Before Buying Solar Panels
Once you have learned about the different types of solar panels and the amazing advantages that they provide, you must be planning to buy and install a solar panel in your residential or commercial area. But before you go ahead with your plan, there are a few important things that you should know. Below, you will see some essential factors to consider about solar panels.
I. Research On The Advertised Products
Nowadays, lots of companies are getting their hands on the solar panels industry. Each one of them has been manufacturing many different kinds of solar panels, and they also provide you with the facility of installation. These companies are trying their best to make appealing advertisements so that they can attract you to buy their products. However, you should not fall into their trap by getting all excited about the product. You need to make sure that you do proper research on the particular product that you are planning to make the purchase.
It’s not a tough task to do, as you will be able to find plenty of online reviews. If there’s someone in your connection, like friends, colleagues, or relatives, who has the product of that particular brand, then it will be greatly beneficial for you. You will be able to find out about the quality, installation, problems, and many other things. This will help you decide if that brand of product is worth spending money on.
II. Know About The Materials
After you have decided which brand you can trust, the next step for you is to inspect the materials before buying. There are many different kinds of solar panels available on the market. The two most common materials that are used on a solar panel are polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Both of them have completely different characteristics and features. So, you need to check which one of them will be best suited for your home requirements and budget. Each one of the solar panels is different from the others and has its own unique advantages.
However, because of this, there is a big difference in the price range of the solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels have developed crystal panels that are made by using pure silicon, so they have the best quality. This is also the reason that they are the most expensive solar panels on the market. Even though monocrystalline is great, the materials for polycrystalline solar panels are just as amazing, as they also use silicon to manufacture them, and thin films are made by using plenty of different types of materials.
III. Plan Your Budget
Planning your budget is one of the most important things that you should do before you decide to buy a solar panel. It is no secret that both buying and installing a solar panel are quite expensive things that can even empty your pockets. However, it is also considered a one-time investment that is sure to save a large amount of money in the future. This will help you reduce your energy bills, and with regular maintenance and proper care, you can be sure that these solar panels will go on for a very long period of time.
Planning your budget will also let you decide the price range of the solar panel that you can afford, and after that, it will be way easier to pick the best quality solar panel system for your house. Always remember that the price of each solar panel is different, and the amount is decided by the quality and power of it. A 6KW solar panel will cost between $3,990 and $6,010 in most places, whereas a 10KW will cost about $7,490 to $10,490.
IV. Choose Panels According To Location
The location of your house plays a very big role in choosing what kind of solar panel system you should install. If you are living in a place where most of the time there is a bright sunny day, then you should choose the monocrystalline solar panels. These panels are quite efficient and take up very little space, which makes them an ideal option for choosing from smaller roofs. However, if you are residing in a place where you do not get much sunlight, then the best option for you will be polycrystalline solar panels, as they are specially made to absorb sunlight from all directions to satisfy your requirements.
Polycrystalline is best suited for areas with high temperatures, but its efficiency is lower in comparison to other solar panels. Other than these, there are half-cut solar panels. This is quite a new technology, as it was first introduced in the year 2014. They not only have high efficiency but also work great in locations with high temperatures. This makes them a bit more costly than polycrystalline solar panels.
V. Check Certificates And Warranty
Lastly, the thing you should always check about the solar panel is its certification and warranty period. Always remember that the salesmen or saleswomen’s main target is the customer, so they will try their level best to convince you to make the decision right then and there. This will prevent you from checking the documents properly and asking the necessary questions about the guarantees. So, you should be alert and stop yourself from falling into their trap. You should take your time in making the decision, as this will allow you to choose the most suitable product for your home.
When you are buying, ask the salesperson to show the certificate, as this will make sure that the product is trustworthy. Another major question that you should ask is about how many years of warranty the product offers. Many companies provide you with an approximate guarantee of between 20 and 25 years. So, it is also important to choose a company that has a good reputation so that even if the product gets broken, you will still have the warranty to either replace it or fix it for free.
Cost Of Solar Panels In 2024
If you choose to get the professional solar panel installers to do the work, then it will cost approximately $3,000 to $9,000. However, the cost also depends on the type, size, location, and other factors. So, the price is not one for all the places. Below you will see a table that will show you the cost of solar panels according to the size of your house, the number of panels, and the size of solar panels.
| Home Size | No. of Panels | System Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 7 | 1.5KW | $1,490 - $2,490 |
| Small - Medium | 9 | 2KW | $3,599 - $4,990 |
| Medium | 12 | 3KW | $3,600 - $5,599 |
| Medium - Large | 18 | 4KW | $3,990 - $6,599 |
| Large | 21 | 5KW | $4,599 - $8,499 |
Final Thoughts
Selecting the correct solar panels for your house or commercial property is an important decision that you should always make by considering all the things in mind. Here, you have gained knowledge about what exactly a solar panel is, the different types of solar panel systems, their benefits, and important things to consider before buying a solar panel, such as research about the brand, their materials, making your budget, whether the panels should be suitable according to your location, and the certificates and warranty. With the help of all this information, you will be able to make the right decision for an eco-friendly and bright future.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are multiple financial benefits of using solar energy. It saves you from spending a large amount of money on electricity bills. With the rapid increase in electricity rates, choosing solar energy is a smart investment. You will be able to notice in 3 to 5 years that your financial savings have increased.
The photovoltaic (PV) inside the solar panels collects the energy from the sun in the form of sunlight and then converts it into a direct current (DC), which is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an alternative current (AC). Almost every residential and commercial building uses alternative current; these photovoltaic cells play a big role in providing power to your home so that you are not required to use any other kind of energy source.
The solar panels are made from high-quality, long-lasting tempered glass and require very little maintenance. It needs to be serviced every two to three years. The cost for maintenance is calculated as per kilowatt hour (KWH); for every 2 KW, it costs approximately $340, or $0.21 per KWH. However, the cost for 3KW is estimated at $0.15 per KWH, which makes it about $430, and it costs $800 for 9KW, making it 0.10 per KWH.
No, installing solar panels will not do any kind of damage to your roof. However, it is also important to understand that solar panels should be installed correctly to not only make them work properly but also guarantee that they will not cause any harm to your roof. So, it is important to hire a professional installer to do the job.
For a professional installer, it takes about two to three days to fully install solar panels. However, before that, you need to be sure that you have the best person for the job, which will also take some time. Apart from that, the total time to install solar panels also depends on what type of solar panels you choose to install. If you are picking simple solar panels, it will take less time in comparison to battery-installed solar panels. The size and complexity of a solar panel also play a big role in the total time of installation.
A goodquality solar panel can last between 21 and 33 years. Since they are installed on top of the roof, the manufacturers make sure that they are made from highly durable materials so that they can survive through the worst weather. It would not get damaged by rain, snowfall, or winds. However, it is important to make sure that the solar panels are getting proper care and maintenance.
The number of solar panels required to power a house completely depends on the size of the house. For a standard-size house, about 18 to 20 solar panels are more than enough to fulfil the electricity requirement of the entire house. However, the number of solar panels will increase according to the location and the rate of energy consumption.
The best roof condition for a solar panel is a household roof with lots of space. Always remember that you should install your solar panels facing the south or southwest side at an angle of 30 degrees. By doing this, you will be able to use the full capacity of the solar panels, as they will have the maximum amount of sunlight. A newly constructed rooftop will also be the best for installing a solar panel.
The energy that is received from the light of the sun is called solar energy. There are multiple ways that you can use solar energy, like using photovoltaic cells, solar-powered devices, and many other ways. It is one of the most economical and environmentally friendly, pollution-free energy sources in the world.
