How to Choose the Best Solar Panel for Your Home?

If you are thinking about buying solar panels or want to install a solar energy system, then you are in the right place. there are several options available in the market; buying without knowing the difference between solar panels can be a regretful result. Here we are proving details overview to buy the best solar panel for your home.

There are three main types of solar panels available on the market.

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels,  2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels, 3. Thin-Film Solar Panels

Let’s discuss one by one to know the perfect solar panel for your home.

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels

It is one of the most efficient solar panels available in the market. It is made of a single pure silicon crystal, making it the most energy-producing solar panel. Due to its complex manufacturing process, it will be costlier than other solar panels. Let’s discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

PROS 

• • SPACE EFFICIENCY These panels are not only energy-efficient but also space-efficient as they produce high energy with limited panel installation and do not cover much space.

• • HIGHEST EFFICIENCY If we talk about efficiency rate then there is no doubt it’ll be the best option in the market. That has a decent efficiency rate of 15 to 23%, based on company quality. If you want the highest efficiency panel then this will be the best solar panel for your home.

• • LONGEVITY Most solar panel comes with a lifespan of 10–15 years. On the othere hand, monocrystalline solar panels give you a decent 25 years of durability and longevity warranty by most of the company. therefore it will be the best fit for long-term investment.

CONS

• • HIGHER COST Although monocrystalline solar panels give you more energy on the limited installation of panels. However,the cost is much higher than other solar panels due to its complex and high-cost manufacturing process. It will ultimately constrains your budget. 

• • LOW PERFORMANCE IN HIGH TEMPERATURE  You may think that a higher temperature means a higher output of solar energy, but it works the opposite. It reduces its efficiency when the temperature of the sun is high due to its material properties and other factors as well.

Who should buy monocrystalline solar panels?

Before selecting this solar panel you need to keep a few things in mind, let’s discuss them.

• • LOCATION Before buying any solar panel, please consider your location. It plays a major for better output. If you live in a city or urban area where space is a problem then this solar panel will be the right choice for your home. As it will produce high energy per square foot compared to other solar panels.

• • WEATHER Weather conditions also paly a significant role in selecting a good solar panels, if weather conditions in your area remain cloudy then Monocrystalline solar panels will be a good choice for you.

• • BUDGET After all for any kind of investment, budget plays a significant role. If you have a good budget then obviously it will be a beneficial investment in the long run.

COST OF MONOCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANEL

If you are buying a monocrystalline solar panel then it’ll cost you around  $1-$1.5 per watt. If your home energy requirements can be met with 2kw solar power then you’ll have to spend a hefty amount of around $2000 to $3000, only for solar panels.

2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline solar panels are another type of solar panel available on the market. They are less expensive than monocrystalline solar panels and made of melting different fragments of silicon crystals. The manufacturing process is not as complex as monocrystalline solar panels.

PROS

• • SIMPLE MANUFACTURING PROCESS A simple manufacturing process of Polycrystalline solar panels makes them more affordable than monocrystalline solar panels. 

• • COST EFFECTIVE: Polycrystalline solar panels are much more affordable than monocrystalline. If you want to buy a good solar panel while keeping your budget under control, then it will be the perfect solar panel for your home. 

• • GOOD EFFICIENCY It will give you decent efficiency compared to other solar panels while costing under budget. It has around 13-16 % efficiency, which is quite good. 

• • DECENT LIFESPAN For any solar panel, lifespan or longevity plays a vital role. Choosing polycrystalline gives a good lifespan of 25-30 years compared to other solar panels.

CONS

• • NEED MORE SPACE One of the major problems of solar panels is space if you go for lower-efficiency solar then you need more space to meet your energy requirement. It needs more space compared to monocrystalline. 

• • LESS EFFICIENCY It is less efficient than a higher-grade solar panel however it can be covered by installing more solar panels which need enough space.

• • LESS PERFORMANCE IN HIGH HEAT Similar to the monocrystalline it does not work well in high temperatures due to its material, it needs stable weather conditions.

Who should buy  Polycrystalline solar panels?

Before buying any solar panel we need to figure out three to four aspects, that can help you to choose the right category of solar panels.

• • LOCATION OR SPACE With Lower-efficiency solar panels, space will always be a problem until and unless you live in rural or suburban areas where most people have plenty of space to install enough solar panels. If you live in such areas then it will be a good option for you.

• • WEATHER For polycrystalline panels, you don’t have to worry about weather conditions as they work efficiently in various weather conditions. So if your area gets moderate sunlight then you can go for it.

• • BUDGET The main and most important thing is budget. If you are under budget and want a good solar system this will be a good choice. As it will give you enough energy without compromising quality and efficiency.

COST OF POLYCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANELS

The cost of polycrystalline solar panels is affordable than monocrystalline solar pane which will cost you around $0.75 and $1 per watt, If you choose to install 2kw solar panels, you have to invest $1500 to $2000.

3. Thin-Film Solar Panels

This is one of the inexpensive solar panels available in the market. As mentioned, it is a thin solar panel made of photovoltaic material that can be installed on any surface due to its flexibility. Easy Manufacturing process makes it more affordable than any other solar panel.

PROS

• • LOWER COST If you are planning to buy this solar panel then you will save a lot of money because of its affordability. However, you have to compromise with other factors.

• • EASY TO INSTALL If your roof is uneven and curved then it will best fit you in terms of installation. Its flexibility allows you to install on any uneven or curved surface.

• • GOOD LOW-LIGHT PERFORMANCE
    Thin-film solar panels work very well in low-light conditions and are less affected by shading and high temperatures making it a perfect choice in terms of performance.

CONS

• • LOWER EFFICIENCY Thin-film solar panels disadvantage is their low efficiency compared to other solar panels. It will give you an efficiency of 7% to 15%, depending on the material used. Some high-quality thin film solar panels can surpass this efficiency mark.

• • REQUIRED MORE SPACE Due to its lower efficiency, It needs much installation space to meet the energy requirement. Which is not feasible to set up in urban.

• • LESS DURABLE
    It has a shorter lifespan compared to other solar panels and degrades faster than crystalline solar panels. For a longer setup, it’s good to avoid this solar panel.

Who should buy thin-film solar panels?

• • LOCATION  Due to the lower efficiency it needs more space to meet the energy requirement, Rural areas or homes are the best fit for this type of solar panel that can fulfill the space requirement. 

• • WEATHER If your areas always have low shading and low temperature then it will be the best option to choose, it works well in high temperatures as well.

• • BUDGET If you are searching for more affordable solar panels, then it will be the best cost-saving option available in the market, lower production costs make it more accessible.

• • SPACIOUS ROOF It is suitable for homeowners with enough roof space to produce the same amount of energy as much as mono or polycrystalline solar panels do. The more solar panels you install, the more you get the energy.

• • EASY TO ADJUST These solar panels are one of the most convenient and easy to install and can adjust on any kind of surface, whether it is curved surface or even surface.

COST OF THIN-FILM SOLAR PANELS

This is the only most affordable solar panel available in the market. It will cost you around $0.50 – $1.50 per watt. If you purchase  2kw  solar panels, you will need to pay  $1000 to $3000. However. the cost may fluctuate based on the material and quality of the product.

How to choose the best solar panel for your home? Buying guide.

After considering the above factors, You need to keep some points in mind while buying solar panels.

1. Warranty: If you are buying solar panels, warranty plays a major role because installation of solar panels may need a significant expenditure. If anything goes wrong you can easily approach your provider or the company. It is recommanded to look for at least 25 years of warranty on solar panels. Warranty may vary depending on the catogeory and quality of the solar panel. You need to check different companies.

2. Durability: Solar panels are directly exposed to different weather conditions like hail and storms so their strength and durability matter a lot for long-lasting accessibility. Before buying solar panels always look for solid tempered glass and frames that can withstand diverse weather conditions.

3. Review company: Before opting to buy the solar panel always look for reviews, reputation, and customer service of the company which can assist you in the long run.

Click her to know the solar power intallation beginners guide.

Keeping all these things in mind, you can easily decide the best solar panel for your home according to your requirements. Along with location, weather conditions, and budget play an important role in this selection of solar panels, so please consider all these things before buying any solar panel.