The cost of solar panels has greatly reduced in recent years. Solar panels costs depends on various factors thus it’s very important when selecting the best solar panels to use for your solar power system installation to bear in mind a few crucial factors aside from the price tag.
Don’t base a purchase decision on solar panel cost alone – the following are a few tips for choosing the best modules for your installation situation.
3 Tiers Of Solar Panel Quality
There are three tiers of manufacturer quality and Energy Matters only supplies solar panels from the first two tiers.
Tier one producers use the best grade of silicon to produce solar cells – the higher the silicon grade, the longer the solar cell will last and the better it will perform. Tier one manufacturers produce some of the best performing solar panels and these can often be acquired at a very reasonable price.
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 200 watts; but due to quality control issues, may in reality only be 195 watts. A positive tolerance rating means the panel 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 panels with low temperature co-efficiency can be a little more.
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; 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 panel produces. A good solar panel will have little or no LID.
Don’t base a purchase decision on solar panel cost alone – the following are a few tips for choosing the best modules for your installation situation.
How much do solar panels cost?
The cost of a solar panel is determined in part by the size (in Watts), the physical size, the brand, quality of materials, the durability / longevity (or warranty period) and any certifications the solar panel might have.
3 Tiers Of Solar Panel Quality
There are three tiers of manufacturer quality and Energy Matters only supplies solar panels from the first two tiers.
Tier one producers use the best grade of silicon to produce solar cells – the higher the silicon grade, the longer the solar cell will last and the better it will perform. Tier one manufacturers produce some of the best performing solar panels and these can often be acquired at a very reasonable price.
Tier two includes companies who invest less in research and development, are reliant on both robotic and manual work on production lines and have often been in solar panel manufacture for 2 – 5 years. Generally, Tier two manufacturers produce good panels at good prices.
While Tier three are often available at a cheaper price, these manufacturers use human production lines for manual soldering of solar cells, which often isn’t the best approach as quality can vary operator to operator and
While Tier three are often available at a cheaper price, these manufacturers use human production lines for manual soldering of solar cells, which often isn’t the best approach as quality can vary operator to operator and
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 200 watts; but due to quality control issues, may in reality only be 195 watts. A positive tolerance rating means the panel will not only generate 200 watts, but perhaps more under standard testing conditions.
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 panels with low temperature co-efficiency can be a little more.
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 – assuming the claimed efficiencies are correct.
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 – 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; 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 panel 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 / WarrantyThe 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.
Size and Watts
The size of the solar panel in Watts will directly affect the cost, as solar panels are usually priced (and compared) in dollars per Watt. Watts are related to the output of each panel; meaning a 100 Watt panel installed under ideal conditions will generate 100 watt-hours of electricity each hour and a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 watt-hours each hour. The key issue to consider is that your system sizing is enough to power your appliances, and that the solar panels will physically fit in the area you wish to install them. Are you in a position to choose the best panels in the market?
Size and Watts
The size of the solar panel in Watts will directly affect the cost, as solar panels are usually priced (and compared) in dollars per Watt. Watts are related to the output of each panel; meaning a 100 Watt panel installed under ideal conditions will generate 100 watt-hours of electricity each hour and a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 watt-hours each hour. The key issue to consider is that your system sizing is enough to power your appliances, and that the solar panels will physically fit in the area you wish to install them. Are you in a position to choose the best panels in the market?
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