5 Key Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Solar Panels

Solar energy provides an alternative to primary electricity, helping to create energy independence. Being renewable is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable living. Not only does solar energy pay low maintenance costs and zero energy production costs, but it also enables smart home appliances to reduce electricity bills. 5 key Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Solar Panels

For a successful solar power installation project and when weighing the pros and cons of solar panels, there are a few things you should consider.

The main ones include your daily electricity load, panel efficiency and minimum allowable power. It is recommended to check the condition of the US PV test (PTC) and the quality of the installation site, all of which will have a significant impact on the power output of the panel.

Read: How Does Solar Power Work? – Step by Step Guide

Here are 5 Key Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Solar Panels

• Match your Weight to the Panel's rated Power

Calculate and determine the total energy consumption of your appliances to determine which solar panels and batteries meet your energy needs. The first step is to calculate the watt-hours by multiplying the power of the device by their operating time. For example, if the average wattage of appliances is 60W and they run an average of 6 hours per day, the total watt hours (Wh) will be 60 x 6 = 360 Wh. Assuming a 20% power loss in the system, the total power to work becomes 360Wh x 1.2 = 432.

Since the sun does not stay in any position, you need to choose a solar panel that will receive enough sunlight to convert to the power you need. Assuming the panel receives 4 hours of direct sunlight, you would need a panel that would produce 432 Wh/4 = 108 watts. To gather the nearest standard power, one 120-watt, 12-volt solar panel is enough to meet your power needs.

Read: Solar Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

• Consider the Efficiency of the Panels

Efficiency refers to the rate of conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. For example, a panel that takes half of the solar energy will have an efficiency conversion of 50%, but in the real world, the efficiency rate ranges from 15% to around 21%.

Why bother to evaluate effectiveness? It helps you determine if you are really saving money on solar panels. High efficiency means more electrical power per square meter, which requires less panels.

Solar technology determines the efficiency of the solar panel. Polycrystalline cells have cells with many pieces of silicon, and they are recognized by their blue color. Monocrystalline panels are made up of cells with a single crystal of silicon and are known for their better performance.

• Check the Guaranteed Minimum Power

Each solar panel has a minimum guaranteed rating that reflects the maximum efficiency you can expect from it. The peak power of similar panels from different solar energy devices can vary from 5% to 12%, depending on the clarity and quality of the materials used. This means that for a 180-watt panel with a negative energy rating of 10%, you will have a capacity of 172.

Advanced models try to keep the level below 7% to ensure you get the most power from the panel. The higher the percentage, the lower the output, which may increase the need for solar panels to meet your energy needs.

Key Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Solar Panels

Read: 20 Facts About Solar Energy that Might Surprise You

• Search for PTC Rating

Unlike the standard test level (STC) provided by the manufacturer, photovoltaics for large applications (PVUSA) test conditions (PTC) from third parties, which provides the advantage of impartiality. It is a common requirement in the United States for parts entering the market to undergo this test.

The purpose of this test is to protect you, the consumer, from the fire alarm system. For example, there are two panels that both have an STC rating of 150 watts. If the result shows that the first panel has a PTC rating of 130W while the second has a PTC rating of 150W, it would be wise to go for the second one as the difference in the first panel shows an increase in rating.

• Location is Critical

The time and amount of sun exposure affects the energy level used by the converted panel. To improve your travel, make sure that the house is not placed with tall trees that can block the sun's rays. When you install, fix the parts facing east or west.

This setting ensures that they are aligned in the sun's path for maximum radiation absorption. The panels will produce electricity in the morning or in the evening, depending on where they are installed. As long as the spaces are covered in the sun for several hours, you work harder. It's easy to move portable solar panels around while camping to ensure they get the best exposure to the sun.