If you've been considering adding solar panels to your home, you've probably thought about how much money and energy you can save this way. Potential savings are important, of course, but they're not the only thing to consider when making a switch; You also need to decide which type of solar panel is right for you.
With so many different types to choose from, it's not as simple as scheduling an installation appointment
How do I decide what type of solar panel to buy?
To find out which type of solar panel is right for your home, you first need to familiarize yourself with the options available, as well as how many solar panels you want.
According to Energy Sage, a US Department of Energy-approved online resource that allows consumers to compare solar energy , there are three main types of solar panels for home use. These are: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film.
A fourth option, solar panels, is a newer and more expensive technology, but certainly an affordable (and attractive) option for those with the budget to cover upfront costs.
Monocrystalline solar panels
When you picture rooftop solar panels, you probably picture monocrystalline because they're often used. While all solar panels offer energy efficiency, monocrystalline are the most efficient of the bunch. How effective is it? Energy Sage reports that of up to 20% of the sunlight that falls on a monocrystalline panel, 20% is converted into usable energy. Monocrystalline panels are also:
- Made from a silicon crystal (in other words, the silicon comes from one source)
- in the form of a cylinder
- ripe color
- Durable and long-lasting (some come with a 30-year warranty)
- Each can produce 300 to 400 (sometimes more) watts of power.
The other side of the coin? Monocrystalline often requires a higher initial investment than other solar panels. Because it costs more to do so - obviously the cost is passed on to the consumer.
What if 20% isn't impressive enough for you? Don't worry: an additional solar panel called PERC (Passive Emitter and Back Cell) falls under the monochromatic canopy. Although the use of this technology is still growing, experts say it offers higher efficiency than traditional monocrystalline panels (thanks to the silicon material added to the back of the panel) and is not particularly expensive to install.
Polycrystalline solar panels
Polycrystalline panels, on the other hand, are cheaper to manufacture and therefore cost less to the customer. Cost differences due to manufacturing process: Instead of the silicon crystals used to make monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels are made of many pieces of silicon that are pieced together.
Polycrystalline is slightly more efficient than monocrystalline, producing about 250 watts of power, not more than 300 each. Physically, it's the same as its monocrystalline counterpart and lasts nearly as long (warranty is on the order of 25 years, but varies by brand).
Thin film solar panels
Thin-film solar panels have several advantages over monocrystalline and polycrystalline ones. First, they are quite light. They are also flexible (others are rigid), making them easier to install than thicker, heavier types.
They are cheaper to manufacture and install than other solar panels.
Amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin films
Amorphous solar panels are based on silicon like all others, but in this case the silicon part is only the first of three very thin layers (the second layer is the thermal conductor; the top layer is the protective layer).
Amorphous panels also work well in hot climates because they can withstand intense heat and are more adept at generating energy on dark days (ie the sun doesn't have to shine through blue skies).
Unfortunately, amorphous panels don't last as long as other solar panels, according to the American Solar Energy Association, you can only use them for 10 to 20 years. Also, only 7% are effective.
Thin film cadmium telluride (CdTE).
Thin-film cadmium telluride, produced from cadmium, which is considered a toxic heavy metal by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, is the second most widely used solar cell in the world after crystal. However, CdTeas are not the best in terms of efficacy.
Copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin film.
Thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), also made of cadmium, has above average efficiency but is very expensive. The cells stack layers of copper, indium and gallium selenide on top of each other to convert sunlight into energy.
(PERC) passive transmitters and cell reading panels
PERC (Passive Emitter Back Cell) panels are a new type of solar technology designed to be more efficient than traditional monocrystalline panels. Although this technology is still under development, PERC panels have silicon material on the back of the panel for high power conversion efficiency. i am Also Their production is not very expensive.
Types of solar panels based on efficiency
Monocrystalline solar panels are more than 20% efficient panels. Polycrystalline solar panels are close competitors with efficiencies of 15%-17%. CIGS thin film efficiency is 13% - 15%, CdTe thin film efficiency is 9% - 11%, and a-Si thin film efficiency is 6% - 8%.
Types of Solar Panels by Price
Although monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient, they are also the most expensive type of solar panel , averaging $1 to $1.50 per watt . Polycrystalline solar panels are the most expensive, ranging from $0.70 to $1 per watt . CIGS thin films cost $0.60-0.70 per watt , CdTe thin films cost $0.50-0.60 per watt, and A-C thin films cost $0.43-0.50 per watt .
Types of solar panels according to output power
Most of the solar panels for homes on the market today are artificially produced 250 to 400 watts per hour. Monocrystalline solar panels can produce power between 320 watts and 375 watts, while polycrystalline solar panels produce power between 240 watts and 300 watts. Thin-film panels are not uniform in size, so there is no standard size for energy capacity. However, it has less power than thin film solar panels.
Depending on the type of solar panel it looks like this
One advantage of thin-film solar panels is their bright appearance. Labeled as the most attractive of the solar panel types, the thin black panel design can be placed on the roof to blend in well.
Like thin-film solar panels, monocrystalline panels have a sleek, solid black aesthetic. However, the panel's solar cells have a unique shape, which creates a lot of white space on the panel, making them more noticeable than thin-film solar panels.
In terms of appearance, polycrystalline solar panels are less attractive than thin film and monocrystalline. Each polycrystalline cell is produced with a blue marble look that makes each panel very different and more individual from the next.
There are other factors to consider when comparing panel types
In addition to efficiency, cost, power and cost, there are many other factors to consider when deciding which type of panel is right for you. For example, you should consider the weather in the area where you live.
A healthy assessment
Although most solar panels are protected by a thick layer of tempered glass that can withstand heavy impacts, hail can cause serious problems for solar panels. Therefore, they study the effect of hail.
On average, solar panels can withstand hail at speeds of about 50 miles per hour. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are ideal for areas prone to heavy hail. At the same time, thin-film solar panels are not ideal for hail because of their thin design.
Hurricane rating
Hurricanes are inevitable in some places, so solar panels must withstand strong winds and rain. Although there is no official solar rating, most solar panels can withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour and come with fasteners, bolt-on modules or three-frame rail systems to ensure safety during storms or storms. hurricane .
temperature
Outside temperature can determine how efficiently solar panels produce energy. Solar panels work best at temperatures around 77 degrees Fahrenheit. If the maximum temperature of the solar panel exceeds 149°F, the efficiency of the solar panel may decrease.
rate of fire
In the event of a fire, solar panels must match the fire resistance of the roof they are installed on to avoid accelerating the spread of fire. For this reason, solar panels have the same fire rating as roofs, for example
- Class A: Severe fire test
- Class B: Moderate exposure to fire
- Class C: Flame light exposure test
How do solar panels work?
Before you can figure out which type of solar panel is right for your home, you need to know how solar panels work and what to expect when you use them. The first thing you need to know is that solar panels harness the energy of the sun and are an inexhaustible source of energy capable of performing all the necessary functions. Solar panels can produce this energy in a way that not only saves the planet, but also your money.
Solar roof
Efficiency and cost aside, some homeowners don't want to go solar for purely aesthetic reasons. In other words, they don't like the look of solar panels. If you do, consider solar panels.
Solar panels allow you to get many of the benefits of solar panels without compromising the look and feel of your roof. They are manufactured using the same technology as solar panels and are available at different prices (depending on the brand).
Unfortunately, there are worse ones. First, price is a big concern: Roofs are almost always more expensive (especially if you go for a brand like Tesla, which launched a line of solar roofs in 2019). Not only that, solar panels are in short supply. So even if you have a budget and desire to add to your roof, you won't be able to track them.
In terms of efficiency, solar panels are also between 14% and 18% efficient, which is not bad compared to less efficient amorphous panels, but the downside is that they don't look very good next to solar panels. Monocrystalline.
Also, solar panels won't necessarily work on all types of roofs. Most are built just to replace asphalt pavement (with a few exceptions). Cheapest route? Adding solar shingles costs more to combine with a total roof replacement, but is likely to pay off more in the long run.
Which type of solar panel is best?
With a huge range of options, qualities, price ranges and features, buying the perfect solar panel for your home can be overwhelming. However, with a little help, you can usually find the right type of panel for your home's needs.
For example, monocrystalline solar panels have been shown to be the best type of solar panel with a solar efficiency of 20% or more, although they can be the most expensive type of solar per watt. The second most common type of solar panel is polycrystalline, also made of glass, but less resistant, efficient and expensive to manufacture and buy. Finally, thin-film solar panels are the least efficient and most expensive, and are more common in commercial applications.
Should I buy solar panels?
Now you know your solar panel options, but is it still a good investment? Before you get pregnant, ask yourself a few questions:
- আমার কি সৌর প্যানেলের জন্য সঠিক ছাদ আছে? পুরানো বাড়ির ছাদগুলি প্রায়শই সোলার প্যানেলের সাথে সামঞ্জস্যপূর্ণ নয় এবং স্কাইলাইটের মতো জিনিসগুলিও একটি সমস্যা হতে পারে। নিশ্চিত হতে আপনার ছাদ এবং সৌর প্যানেল ইনস্টলার দিয়ে পরীক্ষা করুন।
- আমার HOA এটা অনুমতি দেয়? আপনি যদি HOA সহ আশেপাশে থাকেন তবে নিয়মগুলি সোলার প্যানেল ইনস্টল করার অনুমতি দিতে পারে বা নাও দিতে পারে।
- আমার কি খরচ মেটানোর টাকা আছে? সোলার প্যানেলগুলি সময়ের সাথে সাথে আপনার অর্থ সাশ্রয় করবে, তবে এখনও একটি অগ্রিম বিনিয়োগ রয়েছে। যদি আপনি এটি সামর্থ্য না করতে পারেন, ভবিষ্যতে সঞ্চয় এটি মূল্যবান নয়.
- আর কতদিন থাকব এই বাড়িতে? আপনি যদি ভবিষ্যতে আপনার বাড়ি বিক্রি করার পরিকল্পনা করেন, তাহলে ভবিষ্যতের মালিকদের জন্য সৌর প্যানেল কেনার সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া একটি ভাল ধারণা। অন্যথায়, আপনি পছন্দ করেন না এমন সুবিধার জন্য অনেক টাকা বিনিয়োগ করতে পারেন (আপনার বিনিয়োগ পুনরুদ্ধার করতে কয়েক বছর সময় লাগবে)।
- আমি প্রতি মাসে কত বিদ্যুৎ খরচ করি? কম বিদ্যুতের বিল আছে এমন বাড়িগুলি সোলার প্যানেল থেকে ততটা উপকৃত হতে পারে না যতটা বেশি বৈদ্যুতিক বিল সহ বাড়ির মতো, তাই আপনার সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়ার আগে নম্বরগুলি চালাতে ভুলবেন না।
