Okay, so you've decided to install solar panels on your home and generate your own (clean!) electricity, but aren't sure how to choose a solar panel? Hope this list will guide you to a good purchase. You should always keep in mind that a solar panel system is a long-term investment, so there are many other factors to consider besides price.
1. Solar panel cost
This is probably the first factor people consider when comparing solar panels. The cost of a solar panel is determined by different variables: size (measured in watts), physical size, brand, material quality, durability (or warranty period), and certifications the solar panel may have.
A key guideline in how to choose solar panels is to consider cost. However, it shouldn't be the only factor to consider, as the cheapest panel may not be the most efficient or the best choice in the long run. Choosing solar panels can be risky, but they have a long lifespan (over 30 years), so ensuring a good quality system is more important than choosing the cheapest option.
2. Quality of solar panels
This takes into account how the panels are manufactured and the quality of the materials used to make the solar panels. There are different types of manufacturers producing panels that vary in quality, price, and efficiency. There are vertically integrated solar panel manufacturers who control every stage of the production process. They place great emphasis on quality and invest heavily in research and development (R&D). There are other manufacturers who just assemble the panels, but usually they don't make their own cells and don't invest in R&D. They use more manpower than robots to produce, yet produce the most affordable panels.
When choosing a solar panel supplier, it is wise to look at the reviews or track records of the companies to see what customers have experienced with each company. Since you'll be making a substantial investment, it's important to do some research to see if customers are happy with the product and customer service, and if the company delivers on everything it promised.
3. Energy Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency refers to how much of the light received by the panel is converted into electricity, and therefore how much electricity your system will generate. The more efficient the better (and more expensive). Getting the largest and most efficient solar panels is not always the best option, as you may end up spending more money than you should for your energy needs.
You need to assess your requirements and find the panels that best suit your needs: this means not underestimating, but also not overestimating your needs. Likewise, you don't need a Ferrari to drive your kids to school (you certainly can, but you can do the same thing for much less money).