You’ve heard of the benefits of going solar and are now in the market for a solar panel solution that’ll work for you. It turns out, there’s a huge variety of solar panel systems accessible to residential customers. Some of these may even price well into the tens of thousands of dollars. So how do you choose the right solution, and what can you expect from your investment? Read on to find out how to use the advantages of solar energy to your benefit.
What’s the best Solar Panel on the market?
One of the most common questions that come up when thinking of investing in solar energy at home is: what is the best solution for my household? There are a variety of products and brands on the market and the choice can be confusing.
Leaving out thin-film solar panels, which require an amount of space prohibitive for most residential applications, the first distinction to make is between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. Although slightly cheaper upfront, polycrystalline tend to be less pure than thin film or monocrystalline solar panels. In the longer term, however, what brings real value is the space-efficiency of a panel, or what percentage of solar energy (or photons) hitting the panel surface is then converted into usable household electricity. Given that a solar panel is an investment that will pay for itself over the years, monocrystalline panels (which currently deliver 17-19% efficiency) are to be preferred over polycrystalline ones (13-16% efficiency).
When it comes to brands GoSolar Newcastle are constantly evaluating the performance of the panels we use in terms of efficiency, longevity and the ability to work well in any weather. Our products represent some of the best solar panel technology available, ensuring a very sound investment moving forward. Our recommendation is to invest in a product that has been thoroughly market-tested and is backed by a reputable brand.
When deciding what size of system to buy for your home, factors to consider include: past usage data from your bills (we like to see a 12-month span to ensure we’ve got the most precise estimate); whether you’d like to invest in batteries to be able to store your electricity for later use (in which case you want to oversize your system to allow you to collect an excess); and any future investments you’re planning (say, a spa that might consume extra kWh).
Solar Panel Installation Requirements
Another question that might come up when researching residential solar energy generation is where should solar panels be installed, and whether the space required is indeed available. Most roofs will fit about 20 x 400W panels. Solar panel installation on the North side of the house is not necessarily the best as one might be tempted to think. We recommend a North / West split orientation to generate electricity in the afternoon and evening, between 2pm and 8pm, when most people get home and start consuming. This is also to counter the peak hour tariffs in this timeframe.
We hope that we helped you gain some clarity on the subject matter of solar panels. For a more accurate appraisal contact us for a free quote.
