If you’re in the market for a new solar panel and you don’t know how much energy it will generate, then this article is for you. We’ll cover everything from the size of the panel to the efficiency of the cells, so you can have an idea of how much power your wallet can afford.
Size
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the size of the panel. The larger the panel, the more energy you can generate. Furthermore, bigger panels can handle more electricity, so if you have a large family or need to power multiple devices, then you might want to buy a bigger panel. On the other hand, if you are looking for a tiny roof-mounted solar panel, then you can find smaller models that produce more energy.
Efficiency
The next thing you’ll want to consider is the efficiency of the cells in the panel. These are the things that determine how well a solar panel is able to convert sunlight into electricity. The more efficient the cells are, the more energy the panel will produce per unit of time. Sadly, cheaper panels have less efficient cells and therefore generate less energy. For the same price as a more expensive but efficient panel, you could buy a whole bunch of solar cells and put them in a jar on your kitchen window sill. The amount of energy you can get out of a solar panel is determined by the sunlight that falls on it, so you might want to pick a location that gets plenty of sunlight so you can get the most out of it.
Warranty
A lot of money can be saved by buying a solar panel with a warranty. The warranty of a solar panel protects you from any faulty workmanship for a certain period of time. Some warranties extend to multiple years, guaranteeing you that your panel will function for at least that long. Buying a solar panel with a warranty is definitely cheaper than buying one without, so if you can afford it, then go for it! There’s no shame in covering the costs of a few faulty panels over multiple seasons. Nobody wants to buy a solar panel that breaks down after a month or two of use.
Cost
Last but not least, let’s discuss the cost of a solar panel. Pretty much any home-brewed solar panel will cost you a fortune, because it takes a lot of expertise and lots of parts to put one together. To give you an idea of what yours will cost, let’s use a simple 5-watt solar panel made of selvedge denim, which in reality is a little more expensive than your ordinary blue jean. Yours will set you back a whopping $500, which is equivalent to 500 watts or 0.5 kilowatts of power. Power costs around $0.10 per kilowatt-hour, so in a week, you’ll spend around $50 for electricity. In a month, it’ll hit you for around $100. Add another $100 on top of that for the storage capacity of a battery, and you’ll have a total of $150 per month on your wallet. For comparison, the average American household spends around $130 per month on electricity, around $13 per day. So if you’re aiming for cost-efficiency, then avoid buying ready-made solar panels and create your own instead, as it’ll be a whole lot cheaper and it’ll give you full control over what goes into it.
When it comes to choosing a new solar panel, make sure that you do your research before purchasing one. Be sure to check out all the specs and features before making a decision. Look for a panel that has high efficiency cells and is guaranteed for at least 3 years. If you have a solar farm to power, then bigger is better when it comes to panels. The more rows you have, the more energy you can produce. Furthermore, make sure that the panels are weather-resistant and have a good anti-climb feature. Check out all the different types of solar panels here and take your pick!