Going Solar: Which Solar Panels Are Best for Home Use?
If you’re considering going solar, you may wonder which solar panels are best for home use. Although solar panels for homes are similar to solar panels for industries, with so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start.
In this article, we’ll cover the different types of solar panels, their efficiency ratings and performance, popular brands, and maximizing limited roof space, installation, and maintenance to help you choose the best solar panels for your home.
Understanding Residential Solar Panels
Like any other type of solar panel system, residential solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using solar cells through the photovoltaic effect. There are different types of solar panels for home use, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panels, each with its own efficiency rating and performance.
By understanding the different types of solar panels and their performance, homeowners can choose the best solar panels to maximize their solar energy production.
Efficiency Ratings and Performance of Solar Panels
The efficiency rating, performance, and durability of solar panels are all crucial factors to consider when installing a solar power system. Other factors to consider include the specific energy needs of your home and the available roof space.
Each panel type has unique features, advantages, and disadvantages. Here are some of the key differences to consider:
- Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient solar panels, with ratings between 15-21%, as they are made from a single crystal of silicon, which makes them more durable and premium quality. They are among the best solar panels available but also the most expensive. Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are also deemed the most durable solar panels on the market, with a life of about 25-30 years.
- Polycrystalline solar panels are slightly less efficient than monocrystalline panels, with efficiency ratings ranging from 14-18%. Polycrystalline panels are made from multiple silicon crystals, which makes them less expensive than monocrystalline panels.
- A thin-film solar panel is the least efficient solar panel, with efficiency ratings ranging from 7-10%. On the other hand, the advantage of thin-film solar panels is that they are made from layers of photovoltaic materials, which makes them less expensive and more flexible than other types of panels.
Choosing the best solar panel for your home involves considering various factors, including the type of solar panel, efficiency rating, and the solar panel warranties. A reputable solar panel manufacturer will offer a solar panel warranty that covers all types of solar panels manufactured to guarantee solar panel performance in the long run.
When purchasing solar panels, consider solar panel brands and companies that offer premium solar panels and are affirmed in the solar industry, such as SunPower, Panasonic solar panels LG, Canadian Solar, and Q Cells solar panels.
How Many Solar Panels Will I Need?
To determine how many solar panels you need, consider your home’s energy needs and the amount of available roof space:
- To calculate the energy needs of a household, review past electricity bills and consider factors such as the number of people in the household, their daily activities, and the types of appliances used, and then use online calculators or consult with a solar professional to design an appropriately sized solar energy system.
- To design a solar system that meets the household’s energy needs, consider solar panel efficiency, solar panel wattage, solar battery type, and capacity. Then estimate how many solar panels are needed to meet the electricity need. It will be apparent if the roof has enough room for the solar panels needed.
Solar panel companies can help homeowners choose solar panels based on their specific needs and, in most cases, cover their energy needs with renewable energy. Working with reputable solar installers will streamline the solar panel installation process to guarantee a proper design and solar installation.
Purchasing Solar Panels
Regarding solar power installations, some things to consider include the cost of installation and financing options available.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can save 30% on home solar panels and equipment costs. Moreover, a solar system can help to save up to $125. And thanks to net metering, homeowners can sell the excess energy generated through solar energy systems to the utility company and back to the grid.
Homeowners should also expect a smooth installation process and post-installation servicing provided by solar companies, which includes cleaning and inspections to ensure the system functions correctly since solar panels require minimal maintenance.
It’s always good to ask the opinion of expert solar companies working with the best solar panel brands and ask for warranties on their products and work.
High-Efficiency Panels for Your Home
Thanks to the advancements in solar technology, solar panel manufacturers can now guarantee that every homeowner has access to high-efficiency solar panels for a fraction of the cost of 10 years ago.
High-quality solar panels last a long time, have high efficiency, and are an investment that will pay itself off and will satisfy the electricity needs of the home on which they are installed.