| Thinking about utilizing solar energy as a way of | | | | determines the size of the solar panel. They key issue |
| greening your life and lightening your environmental | | | | to consider is that your system overall has enough |
| footprint? When choosing panels for your solar power | | | | Watts to power your appliances, and that the solar |
| system, there are a number of factors worth | | | | panels will physically fit in the area you wish to install |
| considering. | | | | them. |
| Cost | | | | Solar Panel Efficiency |
| The cost of a solar panel is determined in part by the | | | | There's much debate about efficiency in solar panels, |
| size (in Watts), the physical size, the brand, the | | | | i.e. how effective the panel is in converting sunlight to |
| durability / longevity (or warranty period) and any | | | | electricity; but the key point to remember is that a 100 |
| certifications the solar panel might have. Choosing a | | | | watt solar panel will produce 100 watts; regardless of |
| solar panel on price alone is not wise, as it may not fit | | | | its efficiency ratings. |
| the area you wish to install it, may not have the | | | | Solar Cell Type |
| necessary certifications to qualify for government | | | | There are 3 main types of solar cells. |
| rebates, or may not have the warranty required for | | | | Mono-crystalline silicon |
| economic payback of the power produced. | | | | The most efficient and produces the smallest solar |
| Durability / Longevity / Warranty | | | | cells, and therefore the smallest panels. |
| The durability or longevity of a solar panel is important | | | | Poly-crystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon |
| for a number of reasons. Firstly, if the solar panel only | | | | Produces the next most efficient type of cells, but |
| has a 10 year warranty and it is used in a grid connect | | | | equivalent wattage panels are larger than their |
| system you would expect the solar panel to produce | | | | monocrystalline counterparts |
| enough power to pay for itself within 10 years. | | | | Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon |
| Also, if the panel is to be used in a critical system you | | | | Uses the least amount of silicon and also produces the |
| shouldn't risk installing solar panels that aren't as robust | | | | least efficient solar cells. This means thin film system |
| as the others. Reputable solar panels will have | | | | take up more area than the other two, but it has the |
| warranty a period of 25 years. | | | | advantage of offering flexible panels that can be used |
| Solar Panel Size and Wattage | | | | on curved or irregular surfaces not suited to solid |
| The size of the solar panel in Watts will directly affect | | | | panels. |
| the price, as solar panels are usually priced (and | | | | Solar Panel Suitability |
| compared) in dollars per Watt. | | | | Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline work very well in |
| Watts are related to the output of each panel; | | | | bright cool conditions, whereas amorphous (thin-film) |
| meaning a 100 Watt panel under ideal conditions will | | | | silicon will be more efficient at higher temperatures. |
| generate 100 Watts of electricity each hour and a 200 | | | | We generally recommend monocrystalline or |
| Watt panel will generate 200 Watts each hour. | | | | multi-crystalline for large unshaded roofs, and |
| Therefore expect to pay double price for the 200 | | | | amorphous panels for roofs with partial shading. |
| Watt panel, compared to the 100 Watt panel. | | | | Regardless of the technology currently in use, a solar |
| The output of a panel also affects the physical size of | | | | panel in full shade will only generate a small fraction of |
| the panel, meaning the 200Watt panel will be larger in | | | | its rated capacity; so the "shade tolerant" features you |
| size to the 100 Watt panel. | | | | may see advertised can be somewhat misleading. |
| The type of solar cells used in its production also | | | | |