There are 2 main types of solar photovoltaic (PV) panel to choose from: monocrystalline or polycrystalline. This refers to the type of silicon in the panels and impacts how effectively they will produce energy for your home.
Generally speaking, monocrystalline panels are more efficient, last longer and look sleeker in design. The recent upgrade on these are the mono-PERC panels offered by Panasonic. However, as you might expect, these benefits come with a higher price tag than their counterparts. Most professionals will recommend that you opt for monocrystalline, but mono-PERC could still be an effective option if you’d rather keep costs to a minimum.
In terms of aesthetics, monocrystalline panels tend to be black in colour (which many homeowners find a more attractive option) and polycrystalline are blue. You can opt for photovoltaic panels which are attached to frames and sit slightly above the roof, while others can be integrated with your tiles so they blend in more seamlessly.
The efficiency of your solar panels is one of the biggest factors to consider. The higher a panel’s efficiency, the more energy it will generate for your home.
When comparing efficiency remember to look at ‘module efficiency’ rather than ‘cell efficiency’. The efficiency of the individual cell will be a higher number but doesn’t represent the overall capacity of the solar panel. Modern solar panel efficiency usually sits between 16 – 20%. A solar panel with an efficiency of 19% or more is what you should be looking for, but they are more expensive.
However, you should also consider the size of your roof. If you don’t have very much roof space then you’ll need to buy a small number of the most energy efficient panels you can afford. But if you have a large roof, you can install more panels of a lower efficiency which may enable you to reduce your upfront costs.
As with any warranty, the longer the manufacturer is willing to guarantee their product for, the more confidence you should have in its quality. In the case of solar panels, they come with 2 types of warranty period:
The higher the power output of your solar panels the more electricity it will supply your home with. The power output is measured in watts (W) and generally domestic solar panels range from 300 – 400W.
Solar panels with an output of 380W+ are the best choice if you want to generate all (if not most) of your electricity with them, but these will be more costly to purchase but they can still significantly reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.
You can often get a good overview of a brand’s reputation by browsing through online forums and consumer review websites.
Don’t underestimate the value of good old fashioned word of mouth. As solar panels have become more affordable they are becoming a more popular choice among homeowners, so the chances are you’ll have family or friends who have their own. Which brand did they choose? Were there any problems during installation or since? Have they noticed a significant drop in their energy bills?
Once you’ve identified a few brands you’re interested in, the next step is to contact some approved installers in your area. They’ll be able to assess your home, lifestyle, energy requirements and give you a bespoke quote. Get quotes for solar panels now.
On average, a solar panel system costs around Rs 8500 to Rs 9500/-. The cost will be impacted by the brand, type, power output and efficiency of the panels
However, when you are considering the upfront cost of a solar panel system it’s important to factor in the long term financial benefits, brand and warranty and country of origin. Generating your own electricity will mean a significant drop in your energy bills.
Generating energy for free with your own solar panels means you’ll need to buy less energy from your supplier and you should quickly see a reduction in your bills.
Unlike standard electricity the production of solar electricity doesn’t require the burning of fossil fuels and solar panels don’t emit carbon into the atmosphere.
While solar panels are obviously more effective during the summer when there are more hours of sunlight, solar panels will also be generating energy on cloudy days so can contribute to your home’s energy supply all year.
Generating energy from solar panels takes you several steps closer to independence as you need to buy less and less electricity from your supplier. If you also install a solar battery storage system, you can keep hold of solar electricity you’ve not used during the day for use at night which is yet again another step closer to energy freedom and increase the money saved on energy bills.