Find out How to Select the Best Solar Panel for Your Home in 2023
Solar panels are a clean and renewable energy source that is becoming popular as people seek to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Installing solar panels not only helps to reduce your carbon footprint but also can save you money on your energy bills.
Solar panel technology has been continuously evolving, with new innovations and advancements emerging every year. With so many different types and brands of solar panels on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your home. In this article, I will guide you on how to choose the best solar panel for your home.
Determine Your Energy Needs
The first step in choosing a solar panel is to determine your energy needs. You can do this by looking at your electricity bill and determining how much energy you use daily. If you want to estimate it more precisely, you may follow the steps given below:
Energy Consumption ( Watt-Hours ) = Power (Watts) × Time (Hours)
You can get the power rating from the power label ( Name Plate ) of the appliance or you can measure the actual power consumption by using a wattmeter. I have used MECO Wattmeter to measure the power consumption of a few appliances.
Manual Calculation:
If you’re running 2 Nos of 6W LED bulbs for 5 hours a day, 1 No of Fan (80W) for 4 hours, 1 No of Laptop (65W) for 3 hrs, and a WiFi Router (6W) for 24 hours.
1. LED Bulb: 2 x 6W x 5 hr = 60WH
2. LED TV: 1 x 65W x 3 hr = 195WH
3. Ceiling Fan: 1 x 80W x 4 hr = 320WH
4. WiFi Router: 1 x 6W x 24 hr = 144WH
——————————————————-
Total = 719WH
You can calculate the energy consumption manually as shown above or use an Online Calculator
Knowing your energy needs will help you determine the size and number of solar panels you need to install.
From the above estimate you can calculate the number of panels that you need for your installation. You may go through my step-by-step guide on DIY Offgrid Solar System
Choose the Right Type of Solar Panel
Image credit : epsolarpv
Solar Panel converts sunlight into electricity. A specific amount of the sun’s energy can be converted to electricity by solar panels since they are not 100% efficient and they cannot trap the full energy of sunlight. Most of solar panels are less than 20% efficient, which means that they can just trap about 20% of sunlight energy.
Commonly they are 3 types: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin Film.
1. Monocrystalline:
Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon.
As monocrystalline solar cells are made out of a single crystal of silicon, electrons are able to flow easier through the cell, which makes the efficiency higher than other types of solar panels. The efficiency can range from 19% to 22%.
Because of the way that monocrystalline panels are manufactured, they end up costing more than other kinds of solar panels.
2. Polycrystalline:
Polycrystalline solar cells are blended from multiple silicon sources and are slightly less efficient. The multiple silicon crystals in each solar cell make it harder for electrons to flow. This crystal structure makes the efficiency rate of polycrystalline panels lower than monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline panel efficiency ratings will typically range from 15% to 17%.
Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper to produce than monocrystalline panels. Most residential installations use Polycrystalline solar panels.
3. Thin Film:
Thin-film solar panels are made by depositing a thin layer of a photovoltaic substance onto a solid surface, like glass. Examples of these photovoltaic substances include Amorphous silicon (a-Si), Cadmium telluride (CdTe), Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC).
The main advantage of amorphous solar cells is that they can generate electricity in weak light conditions. However, the main problem of amorphous solar cells is the low photoelectric conversion efficiency, which is about 10-13% only.
Which One You Should Choose?
For most residential solar panel installations, it makes the most sense to install monocrystalline panels. Although you have to pay a higher price, you get better efficiency and a sleeker aesthetic than you would with polycrystalline panels.
If you’re on a tight budget, however, polycrystalline panels might make more sense for you.
Thin-film solar cells are mostly used in large-scale operations, such as utility or industrial solar installations because of their lower efficiency ratings.
Note: Choose the type of panel that best fits your budget and energy needs.
Image credit : epsolarpv
New Solar Panels in The Market:
PERC ( Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell ) Panels
Image Credit: solarquotes
PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) solar panels are an improvement of the traditional monocrystalline cell. The PERC solar panel works by adding an additional layer to a standard solar cell. This layer acts as a passivation layer, which reduces the recombination of electrons and holes. The passivation layer also helps to reflect more light back into the solar cell, which increases the amount of energy that can be converted from the sun’s rays.
PERC solar panels are more efficient than traditional solar panels because they are able to capture more energy from the sun. This means that fewer solar panels are required to generate the same amount of electricity, which can reduce the cost of solar energy systems.
By using the Mono-PERC cells following types of panels are manufactured :
Half-Cut Solar Panels
Image Credit: prostarsolar
Half-cut solar panels, also known as split-cell solar panels, are a type of solar panel that is made up of two smaller cells that are connected in series to create one larger cell. These smaller cells are halved, hence the name “half-cut”. The benefit of using half-cut solar panels is that they can offer improved efficiency and reliability compared to traditional solar panels. By splitting the cells, the panel is able to reduce resistive losses and improve overall efficiency, allowing the panel to generate more power per square meter.
Traditional monocrystalline solar panels usually have 60 to 72 solar cells, so when those cells are cut in half, the number of cells increases. Half-cut panels have 120 to 144 cells and are usually made with PERC technology, which offers higher module efficiency.
Bifacial Solar Panel
A bifacial solar panel is a type of solar panel that can generate electricity from both sides of the panel. Unlike traditional solar panels that generate electricity from only one side, bifacial solar panels have solar cells on both the front and back sides of the panel. The advantage of using bifacial solar panels is that they can generate more electricity than traditional solar panels, especially in areas with high levels of reflective surfaces, such as snow or water. When the sun’s rays reflect off the ground or water onto the back side of the panel, the additional light can increase the energy output ( Between a 10-15% increase ).
Consider the Efficiency Rating
Solar panel efficiency refers to the amount of energy that a solar panel can convert from sunlight into usable electricity. It is typically expressed as a percentage of the total amount of sunlight that hits the panel. The efficiency of solar panels has been improving steadily over the years, as researchers and manufacturers have worked to develop more advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. The average panel conversion efficiency has increased from 15% to well over 22%. This large jump in efficiency resulted in the power rating of a standard-size panel increasing from 250W to over 500W.
solar panel efficiency is determined by two main factors; the photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency, based on the cell design and silicon type, and the total panel efficiency, based on the cell layout, configuration and panel size. Increasing the panel size can also increase efficiency due to creating a larger surface area to capture sunlight.
Image Credit: JASOLAR
The higher the efficiency rating, the more electricity the panel will produce. In 2023, look for panels with an efficiency rating of at least 19%.
Check the Warranty
The warranty on a solar panel is important because it guarantees the panel’s performance over time. A solar panel has two warranties: performance and equipment guarantee.
A solar panel’s performance warranty will typically guarantee 90% production at 10 years and 80% at 25 years. An equipment warranty will typically guarantee 10-12 years without failing.
Image Credit: Vikram Solar
However currently few manufacturers provide their higher-rated panels with a performance warranty of around 27-30 Years.
Example: Vikram Solar – 30 years and Waree – 27Years
Choose a Reputed Manufacturer
Finally, choose a solar panel from a reputable manufacturer that has been in business for several years.
When choosing a reputable solar panel manufacturer, here are a few factors you should consider:
Quality: Look for manufacturers that have a proven track record of producing high-quality solar panels that meet international standards. Check their certifications and product warranties to ensure that they are reliable.
Experience: Look for manufacturers that have been in the solar industry for a considerable period of time.
Price: Price is an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor you consider when choosing a solar panel manufacturer.
Customer support: Look for manufacturers that offer good customer support, including after-sales service and technical support.
Reputed Manufacturers in the Indian market
Domestic Manufacturers:
- Tata Solar
- Vikram Solar
- Waree Solar
- Goldi Solar
International Manufacturers:
- Longi Solar
- Trina Solar
- Jinko Solar
- Canadian Solar
You may read my article on Top 5 Solar Panels in India 2023
Read Reviews
Before purchasing a solar panel, it is important to read reviews from other customers who have installed the same panels. This will give you an idea of the panel’s performance and any potential issues. Look for panels with positive reviews and a proven track record of reliability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best solar panel for your home requires careful consideration of your energy needs, the type of panel, efficiency rating, warranty, customer reviews, and manufacturer. By taking the time to research your options and consult with a professional, you can find a solar panel that will provide reliable and efficient energy for your home for years to come.
