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Written by
Shaun McGowanSolar panels, photovoltaic solar panels; solar PV panels - whatever you know them as, these brilliant pieces of technology are the key to generating energy in any solar energy system.
Solar panels are constructed using various semi-conductive metals and silicone.
Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy and convert this energy into DC current. They then pass this through a solar inverter to create usable energy for the home.
Since their invention, solar panels have been hindered by two primary issues:
Experts have been continually trying to make solar panels cheaper to manufacture and better at generating electricity. Due to this continued hard work, solar panels are now a viable option for wide-scale residential adoption.
Read our Residential Solar Starter Guide to learn more about solar electricity basics, or continue below to learn how to choose the right solar panels for your home.
Solar panels are the most critical part of any solar power system installation, so you’ll want to take your time choosing the right panel brand and how you’d like to install them.
Just as crucial as choosing the right panel, you’ll want to spend time researching and finding a trusted, accredited solar installer to ensure the panels are fitted safely and in an optimal direction to match your needs for solar energy generation and use.
Below are 7 points to consider when comparing solar panels.
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy that can be generated by the solar panel in relation to the surface area capturing the sun’s energy.
Panel efficiency is displayed as a percentage and, if you’re new to solar energy, learning about efficiency can be somewhat disheartening.
Well, let’s say your solar panel manages to convert half the light that hits it during the day.
The panel efficiency would be 50%, and most of us would agree that’s…kind of okay?
The truth about modern solar panels is that they only convert somewhere between 12 and 20 per cent of the sunlight they receive into usable energy, but this isn’t as bad as it sounds.
The most important consideration is the available space for panels on your roof, and installing a solar system capable of meeting your energy requirements. Aim for around 15% efficiency and you’ll find plenty of options to choose from at a reasonable price.
The quick and dirty napkin calculation would be to simply calculate the cost of each panel against the value of the energy produced in kWh.
However, the number of variables that go into the actual value of your panels require more consideration to determine an accurate cost, both upfront for installation, and in potential repairs or replacements down the line.
What determines the difference in price between each individual brand and solar panel will include:
The materials used to construct solar panels are often rare or difficult to manufacture in large quantities. The most significantly affected is silicone, which is universally used in solar panel manufacturing and can lead to inflated prices should the cost of silicone rise in the future.
When determining the overall quality of a solar panel, you can look at the product’s warranty statement to determine if it meets Australian Consumer Standards.
What determines the difference in price between each individual brand and solar panel will include:
The materials used to construct solar panels are often rare or difficult to manufacture in large quantities. The most significantly affected is silicone, which is universally used in solar panel manufacturing and can lead to inflated prices should the cost of silicone rise in the future.
The majority of the world’s solar panels are manufactured in China, at around 70% production, followed by South Korea, Malaysia, and the U.S.A.
Where your solar panels are manufactured is a minimal consideration compared to the reputation of the brand, the customer reviews, and whether you can access an Australian-based support team and customer care service for replacements or issues.
Solar panel specifications are about 10% beginner and 90% expert level in their relevancy, so here are the three most important things you need to know when comparing products:
In Australia, this can be a crucial consideration due to our often-harsh climate.
Lastly, if you’re not buying a trusted, reputable brand, make sure you look for the original manufacturer - it’s not unheard of for companies to purchase competitor products and rebrand them for profit.
Solar panels have come a long way since they first appeared on the roofs of our homes, and increased public adoption of the technology has furthered development in other areas, such as aesthetics.
How your solar panels look may not be as important as other aspects, but most of us would agree that the more subtle they are, the better.
While there are panels that can be integrated directly into your roof or through solar tiling, your stock-standard solar panel will look perfectly fine on any home provided it’s installed and fitted correctly.
Deciding how to place your solar panels during installation can maximise two aspects of solar generation:
Most rooftop solar panels installed in Australia are mounted in portrait (vertical) because it’s cheaper and easier - they require fewer supports and a less complex installation foundation.
Quicker and cheaper doesn’t always mean better, and that can apply here.
Depending on your rooftop, it may be possible to install more capacity if the panels are installed landscape - this isn’t a standard installation approach and may require an installer with experience in complex solar installations.
You can learn more about each of the components of a complete residential solar energy system in the guides below.
Before you go ahead with installing solar to reduce your energy bills, it’s worth taking a look at the available solar rebates in your state.
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Shaun
McGowan
Shaun McGowan
Shaun is the founder of Money.com.au and is determined to help people pay as little as possible for financial products. Through education and building world class technology. Previously Shaun co-founded CarLoans.com.au and Lend.