A Guide o Choose Right Solar Panels for your home
A Guide o Choose Right Solar Panels for your home
Investing in solar power is like spending money on something brilliant. Solar power is a type of energy that's good for the environment. When you get a solar power system, the solar pv modules are the most expensive part, about 60% of the cost. It's also important to know that once you decide to use solar power, you'll be using it for a long time, like 25 years or more. So, picking the right solar panels is a big deal because they need to last a long time and save you money. That's why it's super important to buy good solar panels. We can help you choose the best solar panel that works for what you need.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
Criteria you should use while selecting a solar panel
When selecting solar panels, it's essential to consider key factors for optimal choice. Efficiency, indicating how effectively panels convert sunlight to power, should be balanced with quality from reputable manufacturers offering reliable products. Consider following points before deciding the solar panels:
- Solar Panel Type
- Solar Panel Grading
- Roof Area, Capacity & Solar Panel Size
- Compatibility With Inverter
- Solar Panel Features & Performance
- Durability
- Certifications & Warranty
Lets discuss these criteria one by one.
1. Solar Panel Type
There are two main kinds of solar panels you can buy: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. They're named after the stuff they're made from. Monocrystalline panels are made from pure silicon, while Polycrystalline panels are made from many small pieces of melted silicon.
Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than Polycrystalline solar panels of the same size. They're also good at making electricity when it's not very sunny. But they cost a bit more. Some people pick Polycrystalline panels if they have a big roof and want to save money.
2. Solar Panel Grading: A Grade and B Grade
Solar panels come in different grades: A, B, C, and D. These grades depend on how good the solar cells are. Nowadays, most panels are at least B grade because solar technology has gotten better. The difference between A and B-grade panels might not be easy to see, but it matters in the long run. We recommend getting A-grade panels. They look nice and work well. They go through tests to make sure they're good quality. Even though solar panel prices are going up, it's better to spend a little more for good quality.
3. Roof Area, Capacity & Solar Panel Size
When you want to get solar panels, think about what you want them to do:
Make lots of money for you?
Save you money?
Not cost too much at first?
Once you know what you want, you can figure out how many panels and what size you need. There are three sizes: small, medium, and big. Bigger panels make more electricity. Look at your past energy bills to know how much electricity you use, and then you can decide how many panels you need. If you have a big roof, you can get big panels to make more electricity. If your roof is small or has shadows, smaller panels might be better. You can also use a special meter to get credit for extra electricity you make and give back to the power company.
Choose 395W over other two for better area utilization
Choose 72 Cells for larger rooftop area or higher capacity requirements
4. Compatibility With Battery
When you think about using batteries with solar panels, it's important to consider how much energy the batteries can store. This is especially useful when you can't use electricity from the grid, or if you want to save solar energy for later in case the power goes out.
To make sure the battery can provide power to your devices and make up for energy lost in inverters, you need to choose the right solar panel. Solar panels create energy from the sun, which can be stored in batteries for later use. The solar panel needs to produce enough energy to charge the battery and cover any energy losses.
Batteries have energy storage ratings mentioned in Ampere-hour (Ah), like 150Ah or 200Ah. They also have a certain voltage, which is like their electrical pressure, usually 12 volts. To pick the right solar panel, match it to the battery's rating and voltage. For example, if you have a 12V battery, use a 12V solar panel. If you have a 24V battery setup (which means you have two 12V batteries connected together), then you need a 24V solar panel.
To figure out how many solar panels and how much energy you need, you have to know how much current is required to charge the battery. For a 150Ah battery, you'll need a certain amount of current to charge it properly.
Charging current = 1/10 of batteries Ah
150Ah x (1/10) = 15A
Imagine you have a 100 watts Mono PERC solar Panel which has a Vmpp (maximum power voltage) of 5 amps, you will need to connect 3 of these panels together to get 15 amps of current. This will help you charge a 150 ampere-hour (Ah) battery in 10 hours. On the other hand, if you decide to use a 190 Watt Mono PERC Solar panel, you will only need 2 of these panels to charge the same 150Ah battery in 10 hours.
5. Compatibility With Inverter
Solar panels generate direct current (DC), while your household appliances require alternating current (AC) to function. Consequently, it is not feasible to directly link solar panels to your home appliances. To bridge this gap, an inverter is necessary to convert the DC generated by the solar panels into the AC that your household devices use.
Just as with batteries, it's important for the solar panel's specifications to match the inverter's capacity. Inverters come in various capacities, such as 12V, 24V, 48V, and so on. This means a 12V solar panel should be paired with a 12V inverter, while a 24V solar panel should be matched with a 24V inverter. Additionally, a series connection is essential to ensure a consistent voltage across the battery, inverter, and solar panel.
12V solar panel &#; 12V inverter &#; 12V battery
24V solar panel &#; 24V inverter &#; 12V x 2 battery
For 48 Volt Inverter:
Either connect two 24V solar panels in series or connect four 12V solar panels in series, along with four 12V batteries connected in series.
24V x 2 solar panel &#; 48V inverter &#; 12V x 4 battery
6. Solar Panel Features & Performance
The electricity output of a given solar panel is determined by various factors, including its power rating, power tolerance, efficiency, and temperature coefficient. These factors collectively determine the panel's potential power generation.
Power Tolerance: Solar panels are assigned a "tolerance" rating, indicating whether the panel will perform below, meet, or exceed its stated "nameplate" rating. This rating is indicated as a percentage range (-%/+%) on the panel's specifications sheet and physical label.
For instance, an ordinary solar panel might claim a guaranteed output of 375 watts, but in reality, it might only produce 370 watts under standard test conditions (STC). This panel could have a tolerance of -3%/+3%, meaning it could produce 3% less than the stated wattage due to production issues, but it also has the potential to generate 3% more than the specified wattage under optimal conditions.
An A-Grade solar panel, such as the Bluebird 400W Mono PERC solar panel, boasts a tolerance of 0%/+3%. This implies that the panel only exhibits positive power tolerance, ensuring it will consistently generate more power than its rated wattage. This tolerance, or efficiency rating, should be a key consideration.
7. Durability
Must be constructed with A-grade solar cells.
The robust silver anodized Aluminum frame enhances the panels' durability.
Essential resistance to PID, salt mist, and ammonia corrosion.
Anti-reflective (AR) coated tempered photovoltaic (PV) grade glass minimizes light reflection.
Since solar panels are exposed to outdoor conditions, the solar panel junction box must possess an IP68 rating, ensuring resistance to water and dust ingress.
8. Certifications & Warranty
It's also important to ensure that the solar panels you install are designed to endure the specific conditions of your region. Seek out panels that meet the IEC standard, which is established by the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) to assess reliability. The IEC involves an accelerated outdoor stress test to verify the panels' durability. In India, solar panels certified by BIS, such as Bluebird Solar, are recognized as a symbol of trust.
Solar product warranties operate similarly to the warranties you receive when purchasing consumer electronics like iPads, televisions, or computers. However, while most electronic products typically offer around one year of coverage, and possibly up to three years with extended protection, PV (photovoltaic) product warranties function differently. Solar technology, lacking moving parts, ranks as one of the most robust energy generation technologies globally. Furthermore, each component undergoes rigorous testing prior to being introduced to the market.
A solar panel is covered by two warranties:
(1) Performance Warranty: Under standard conditions, solar panel output will naturally degrade, though it should not deteriorate by more than 10-20% over 25 years. Typically, performance drops by approximately one-half to one percent annually.
Typically, a solar panel's performance warranty guarantees 90% production for 10 years and 80% for 25 years. When panel performance falls below these thresholds, the performance warranty takes effect, allowing for the repair or replacement of underperforming panels. The company may assess your solar panel either at their testing facility or through a third-party testing facility. After confirming that the panel's underperformance is due to internal defects, they will honour the warranty.
(2) Product Warranty: The manufacturing or product warranty safeguards your product against manufacturing defects.
This includes any deterioration in the product's appearance (such as mechanical wear, rust, hot spots, snail trails, and other aesthetic flaws).
Damage to the frame or glass.
Loose junction boxes or faulty connectors.
Malfunctioning cells or damaged cell connections.
Flawed back sheet.
When Can the Company Deny Your Warranty?
If solar panels are repaired without the company's authorization or tampered with in any way.
If solar panels are exposed to unusually high salt or chemical exposure.
If solar panels undergo improper installation, application, alteration, unauthorized servicing, or improper system design that results in constant shading on the products.
If damage to solar panels is caused by power failure or surges, flooding, fire, direct or indirect lightning strikes, or other natural events.
If damage is the result of accidental breakage, vandalism, explosions, acts of war, or other events beyond the manufacturer's control.
If solar panels are moved from their original installation location.
If PV panels are exposed to voltage exceeding the maximum system voltage at the lowest temperature of the location or power surges.
If the serial number on the solar panel is modified, removed, or becomes unreadable.
What Does the Company Provide Under Warranty Eligibility?
-
Replacement of the solar panel. -
Replacement of non-functional solar modules with new ones of equivalent labelled power wattage as the Warranted Wattage of the replaced Products (Warranted Wattage refers to the contracted power wattage of the Products minus permissible accumulated degradation).
-
Refund of the amount
- Refund of the depreciated purchase price paid by the customer for the module as compensation.
Conclusion
The article examined the crucial aspects to take into account prior to selecting the most fitting solar panels for your needs.
Key considerations include:
Your objectives
Type of solar panels
Grading of solar panels
Rooftop space availability and solar panel dimensions
Suitability with battery and inverter systems
Features and overall performance
Certifications and warranties
If you are considering acquiring solar panels, we are available to help you procure the ideal PV Module that matches your specifications. Please reach out to us for additional details.
Most Efficient Solar Panels
Key takeaways
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Most home solar panels are between 19% and 21% efficient, but many manufacturers are achieving efficiencies of 22% and higher.
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The highest efficiency home solar panels today are from Maxeon and have an efficiency rating of 22.8%
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Other top efficiency panels come from REC, Jinko, Heiliene, and Yingli.
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High-efficiency solar panels can add about $2,000 to the cost of a solar installation.
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Solar panel efficiency is impacted by the solar cells used, how the panels are installed, and local climate and weather conditions
What is solar panel efficiency?
A solar panel&#;s efficiency rating tells you how good solar panels are at turning sunlight into usable electricity. The higher the efficiency rating, the more electricity that panel can generate.
Today, most home solar panels have efficiency ratings between 19% and 21%. But as solar technology improves, more and more solar manufacturers are reaching 22% or higher efficiencies. For comparison, data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the average solar panel was only 14.1% efficient in . Solar panel efficiency has changed over time, and we&#;ve come a long way!
22% efficiency might not seem that impressive - but most things don&#;t operate as close to 100% as you think. According to Penn State University, gasoline car engines are about 25% efficient, and power plants are just 36% efficient.
What are the most efficient home solar panels in ?
Maxeon offers the highest efficiency solar panels of , with maximum efficiency ratings of 22.8%. That&#;s impressive! REC, whose Alpha Pure-RX models can reach 22.6% efficiency, is not far behind.
Here are the top five highest efficiency home solar panels:
Solar panel model
Efficiency rating
SunPower Maxeon Residential AC 440 W
22.8%
REC Group Alpha Pure-RX 470 W
22.6%
Jinko Eagle G6 440 W
22.53%
Heliene 108 HC M10 TPC SL
22.49%
Yingli Panda 3.0 Pro
22.28%
1. SunPower Maxeon Residential AC 440 W
Maxeon&#;s SunPower Residential AC 440 W residential model takes first place as the most efficient residential home solar panel. Maxeon has been using the same technology it patented in , keeping it a top maker of high-efficiency solar panels for years.
The combination of Maxeon&#;s patented interdigitated back contact technology, high-quality silicon, and an integrated microinverter on the back of each Maxeon AC panel has allowed the company to reach efficiencies of 22.8%.
Although Maxeon manufactures the solar panels, they are only available through SunPower dealers. But, other high-quality Maxeon models can be purchased through non-SunPower companies.
Read more about what our solar experts have to say in our full Maxeon solar panel review.
2. REC Group Alpha Pure-RX 470 W
The REC Alpha Pure-RX 470-watt panel has an impressive efficiency rating of 22.6%. In , REC started using half-cut technology to improve the efficiency and performance of its panels. Ten years later, the company still uses it and is seeing fantastic results.
One Alpha PURE-RX model takes up 22.4 square feet, making it slightly larger than the size of a standard residential solar panel. The increased footprint makes the panel more powerful, so fewer need to be installed to produce enough power to run a home.
Use our expert review of REC to learn more about other high-efficiency panels the brand offers.
3. Jinko Solar Eagle G6 440 W
Jinko Solar&#;s new Eagle G6 440-watt solar panel is 22.53% efficient, making it the third most efficient solar panel for homeowners. Like many solar manufacturers, Jinko Solar adopted n-type TOPCon solar cells for the Eagle G6.
TOPCon technology reduces heat losses from recombination that occurs within solar cells. But the specifics of how electrons bounce around inside solar cells don&#;t matter to homeowners; what does matter is that TOPCon cells allow solar panels to generate more electricity out of the sunlight they capture.
JM contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Jinko is another huge name in the solar industry, and it&#;s spent a lot of time on research and development to reach such impressive results. Some of Jinko&#;s models, like the Tiger NEO Mono 60 HC, are 22.71% efficient. These models, however, aren&#;t available in the United States.
Read more: Expert review of Jinko Solar
4. Heliene 108 HC M10 TPC SL All Black 440 W
Heliene isn&#;t as popular as some other brands, but its 22.49% efficiency panels are not to be ignored. Another panel that uses TOPCon cells, Heliene&#;s 108HC TPC SL All Black Module, exceeds the performance of many panels on the market today.
Despite having less brand-name recognition than companies like Panasonic, Heiliene is a Tier 1 company producing powerful, quality solar panels.
5. Yingli Solar Panda 3.0 Pro 435 W
Yingli Solar has been in the industry since , manufacturing solar panels for home, commercial, and utility projects. Yingli&#;s panels come at an affordable price, especially for their performance.
The Panda 3.0 Pro module series also uses TOPCon solar cells and a multi-busbar design to boost efficiency ratings to an impressive 22.28%.
How much do high-efficiency solar panels cost?
High-efficiency solar panels tend to come with a higher price tag and can add a premium of over $2,000 to the total cost of your system. That means a 7 kilowatt (kW) solar system using premium efficiency panels might cost around $23,100, while the same system using standard efficiency panels might be closer to $19,900.
But, the cost of highly efficient solar panels is getting lower, thanks to brands like Canadian Solar and LONGi. These companies are making great-quality panels with excellent efficiency ratings for a fraction of the cost of premium brands like SunPower. As these brands develop more products, efficiencies could rise while solar panel costs remain the same.
How much will a solar system cost for your home?
What impacts solar panel efficiency?
How efficiently a solar panel generates electricity is influenced by several factors, like the type of solar panel, the angle and direction in which it&#;s installed, and climate and weather conditions.
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. However, almost every home solar installation uses monocrystalline panels because they&#;re the most efficient and look good!
Because monocrystalline solar panels are the most common, it&#;s important to understand the different technologies used in them that have made them even more efficient! Some of the most popular solar cells used today are Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC), Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon), Heterojunction (HJT), and bifacial cells.
Solar technology is always evolving, so panels could be even more efficient in the next few years! One of the most promising new solar developments is perovskite solar cells, which could potentially reach an efficiency of 38%. But, perovskite panels won&#;t become mainstream until the price to manufacture them comes down.
Solar panel direction and angle
In the United States, solar panels generate the most electricity on south-facing roofs because the sun spends the most time in the southern sky. Solar panels installed facing west or east will still generate electricity, but they will be less than those installed towards the south.
The angle at which solar panels are installed can also make a difference. The ideal solar panel angle is based on the latitude of your home, so it varies by location. Solar panels are generally installed anywhere between a 20 and 45-degree angle for maximum solar energy generation.
Weather and climate conditions
The weather can impact how solar panels generate electricity. For example, solar panels that are covered with snow can&#;t generate electricity!
But, believe it or not, solar panels produce electricity more efficiently in colder temperatures! As the surface of a solar panel gets hotter, the efficiency drops slightly.
Cloud cover and shade can also cause solar panels to produce less energy. In general, though, these types of weather and climate conditions are taken into account by your solar installer when they design your system, so your panels will still generate the power you need!
How many solar panels do you need where you live?
How to increase your solar system&#;s efficiency
There are three steps you can take to keep your panels operating at their best:
Monitor your system&#;s performance: With solar monitoring software, you or your installer can keep tabs on your solar system&#;s performance. When an issue arises, you can address it right away!
Install panels on optimal roof space: Not everyone likes the look of solar panels. In fact, some homeowners opt to install them on the back of their house &#; but there might be better directions for solar panels than the back of your roof! If you want the most efficient system possible, ensure you get them where they&#;ll get maximum sun.
Keep them clean: Solar panels covered with dust or debris can&#;t generate electricity effectively. Make sure your solar panels are clear, and consider professional solar panel maintenance every year if your roof accumulates significant amounts of debris.
Your solar panels won&#;t operate at 100%! If your panels aren&#;t generating the same amount of electricity today as they were the day before, that&#;s okay! Solar panels don&#;t always yield the same amount of electricity, which is considered when the system is designed. You&#;ll know if there&#;s an issue if the entire system or sections of panels are offline or if you experience low output over an extended period
What else to consider when buying solar panels
The efficiency rating isn&#;t the tell-tale sign of a good solar panel. You&#;ll also want to check out the power output, which outlines how much power the solar panel can actually produce.
Another thing to consider is the solar warranties. Most solar panels today have a performance warranty of 25 years and a product warranty of 12 to 15 years. Anything less than that is a red flag.
The right panels for you also depend on the type of solar system you're installing. For example, if you're looking to go off-grid, you might want to spend a little more for premium efficiency to get the maximum amount of power possible.
Our solar experts also recommend getting panels from reliable manufacturers. Solar panels are a decades-long investment, and although solar panel failure is extremely rare, make sure you get panels from a manufacturer that will be around to honor the warranty. According to our Solar Industry Survey, the most common brands offered by installers were between Qcells and REC group.
Choosing the right installer is the most important step in going solar
What matters more than anything else when going solar is choosing the right solar installation company. At SolarReviews, we firmly believe that choosing the right solar installer is the key to getting the best solar system possible.
Good solar companies will have positive consumer reviews, won&#;t try to push you to get solar if you&#;re not ready, have been in business for at least five years, and employ certified, well-trained crews.
So, how do you find the best company near you? We can help. Using our solar calculator, you can discover how many solar panels you need and how much solar can save you on your electricity bills. Plus, we can get you in touch with trusted local solar companies in your area. Don&#;t worry - we never connect you
Looking for trusted solar installers near you?
Methodology: How we found the most efficient solar panels
We reviewed solar panels offered by 28 brands and identified their most efficient residential solar panels. Residential solar panels were classified as panels that contained up to 66 cells or 132 half-cells.
If the company only had panels that exceeded this size limit, we used panels that the company classified as &#;residential&#;. Similarly, we did not include models with bifacial cells unless they were the only type of cell offered by the brand, such as REC Group&#;s panels.
Here is a complete list of the solar panels reviewed and their efficiency ratings:
Solar panel brand
Panel model
Efficiency rating
Maxeon
SunPower/Maxeon 6 AC 440 W
22.8%
REC Group
REC Alpha Pure 410 W
22.6%
Jinko Solar
Eagle 54 G6R 440W
22.53%
Heliene
108HC M10 TPC SL 440 W
22.49%
Yingli
Panda 3.0 Pro 430 W
22.28%
REC Group
REC Alpha Pure 410 W
22.2%
Panasonic
EverVolt EVPV410H
22.2%
Silfab
Silfab Prime NTC 430 W
22.1%
SEG Solar
SEG Yukon N-Series 430 W
22.02%
VSUN (Vietnam Sunergy)
VSUN430N-108BMH
22.02%
JA Solar
Deep Blue 3.0 PRO 440 W
22.0%
Qcells
Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 440 W
22.0%
LONGi
Hi-MO 5m 425 W
21.8%
Phono Solar
Twinplus X Series 420 W
21.51%
Axitec
AXIblackpremium XXL HC 420 W
21.5%
Sunspark
SST7F54M(H) 415 W
21.30%
Trina
Vertex S DEO9C.05 405 W
21.1%
ZNShine
ZXM6-NH132 Series 420W
21.03%
United Renewable Energy Co., Ltd.
Peach FBK410MFG 410 W
21%
SolarEver
HC 108 410W
20.97%
Aptos
DNA-108-BF10-410
410 W
20.96%
Hyundai
XG BK Series - Black Max 280 W
20.86%
Waaree
Arkra Series 415 W
20.78%
Boviet
Gamma Series 415 W
20.7%
Certainteed
Solstice 440 W
20.5%
Solaria
PowerX 400 W
20.5%
Freedom Forever
400 W module
20.48
Mission Solar
MSE PERC 66
19.9%
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Perc Solar Panel Price.
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