What Are The Best Solar Panels For Homes?
With the electricity prices on the rise, you can expect your energy expenditure to be high as well. One of the surest way to insure yourself from the extravagant expenses is by installing a solar panel in your home. It will not only have an impact on your expenses but it also reduces the environmental impact by reducing your carbon emissions. Now that you have decided to purchase a solar panel, you have to decide which the best unit for your home is. With the technology advances there are so many different solar panel options in the market today. However, their performance is different. This article looks at how different panels differ from each other.
Efficiency
The first thing you should check is the efficiency of the solar panel you are planning to purchase. Efficiency means the rate at which the panel converts solar energy in to power. The more efficient the better they are since it means that you need less panels to generate the power you need for your house hold. Purchasing more efficient panels will not only save you on cost but will also save you on solar panel installation costs. Top tier panels will often operate at 20% efficiency but normally most of the panels are rated between 14% and 18%.
Power Output
Power output usually refers to the DC current that the solar panel is capable of producing. Most solar panels usually have a power rating of between 200 to 350W. The amount of electricity a solar panel is capable of producing is dependent on several factors. The first is size, the larger the solar panel the more the energy it is capable of producing. The angle and direction of your roof is the second factor, it is ideal that your roof be facing south and be between 10 degrees and 60 degrees inclined. The time of year also affects the electricity production. Longer day time means more electricity production. Even though power output is important, you should keep in mind that there are other factors that can affect the amount of power produced.
The Credibility of the Manufacturer
Purchasing and having solar panel installation in Naperville is an investment and just like any other investment you would make you need to make sound decisions. When it comes to solar panels you have to consider how credible the manufacturer is. You have to dig deeper and find out about their history, their experience and other factors such as annual performance. Most of the panels will come with a 25 year warranty and you need to consider if the company will survive to serve the panel warranty. While many new companies have joined the panel manufacturing industry, you should try and purchase from reliable manufacturers that are known for their durable products. Being a one-time purchase you need to purchase the most durable panel in the market.
Before purchasing solar panels for home use, it is advisable to do some research on the different panels in the market. Get familiar with the terms so you know exactly what you are purchasing. It also helps to talk with the experts for advice given your electricity requirements.