Most home solar power systems work by converting photovoltaic energy into usable electricity which is then fed into a home circuit via an inverter. However, not all home solar panels are made equal and it is important to know which type of solar panel is the best for your home.
There are a variety of solar panel options to choose from when deciding on a power system for your home but not all will fit perfectly. This article will help you identify the best solar panels for your home based on five key criteria.
Weight
The weight of a solar panel is one of the most important factors to consider because what you are looking for is a light and nimble product that you can carry around yourself without difficulty. A heavy solar panel is going to be cumbersome to transport to and from your car as well as difficult to install on your roof. There is a wide variety of solar panels available so if you are searching for a lightweight option then you should consider those products instead of a heavy and clunky system. This being said, if you have a sizable roof with limited room for maneuvering then a heavy solar panel may be the answer you are looking for.
Size
The size of a solar panel is another important consideration because you want to make sure that the product is going to be able to fit on your roof without causing you any problems. There are a variety of solar panels to choose from with different sizes and shapes so if you are searching for a specific one then you should consider all the different options. For example, if you have a small roof then you may want to go for a thin and sleek design otherwise you may want to build up on this basis and opt for a wider and more robust unit. This factor will obviously depend on how much room you have on your roof but also how much you want to install.
Output
The output of a solar panel determines how much electricity you can generate from it on a sunny day. The amount of electricity you produce will depend on how much power your solar panel has and how much light there is. Therefore, the higher the output the more electricity you will produce. The most common unit for this measure is watts but you can also use kilowatts or megawatts to describe the unit. This is important because you want to produce as much electricity as possible from your solar panel so you should opt for a higher output option instead of a lower one. This option is generally determined by the make or the brand of the product. The higher the output the more it will cost you but in return you will gain performance figures. Check out the Xtra Watt solar panel from Sunrun for an example.
Voltage
The voltage of a solar panel is yet another important consideration because you want to make sure that the product you are purchasing is going to be safe to use with your electrical appliances. If you live in a country where power cuts occur often then a higher voltage solar panel may be the answer you are looking for. The voltage of a solar panel is measured in volts and the higher the number the safer it is for your electrical appliances. For example, a typical North American power outlet accepts 120 volts while some European ones only accept 230 volts. Some other parts of the world even accept more than what is needed by default so you may want to consider shopping around for a specific voltage output if you live in a country like this.
Watt Hour
The watt hour of a solar panel is yet another important consideration because you want to make sure that the product you are purchasing has a long enough lifespan to provide you with the benefits of solar energy. This is going to depend on how often you use your solar panels and how large your solar panels are. The more watt hours a solar panel has the longer it will last and the more often you utilize its capacity the more electricity you will produce. This is why you want to opt for a longer lasting and more powerful option instead of the ones with fewer watt hours. This factor is going to affect how much you are willing to spend on a solar panel but the benefits are worth it.
Based on these five factors it is easier to determine which solar panel is the best for your home. Keep in mind that there are a variety of solar panels to choose from with different weights, sizes, outputs, voltages, and watt hours so if you are looking for a specific one then do your research and make a purchase decision. For example, if you have a small roof then a slim and lightweight option may be your perfect fit but if you have a larger one then a larger and more robust unit may be the answer you are looking for. Always make sure that the unit you purchase allows for sufficient maneuvering and is of a safe and appropriate weight for the purposes which you have in mind for it.