The price of a solar panel is determined by a few different factors. Factors include physical size, size in watts, material quality, warranty period, panel certifications. Do not simply choose a solar panel solely on cost. You may find they do not suit the area where you wish to install it, may not the necessary qualifications for government rebates, have a firm warranty, or worse, give you the expected performance for power produced. As a result, it will take longer for you to see any savings as a result of your solar panel installation. SunBug Solar advises you to consider the following when purchasing solar panels.

Quality

As part of your research you need to know how your potential panels were manufactured what materials were used in production. There are three classes, or tiers, of production quality. Tier one producers have been producing panels for over five years, use robotic processes to create their solar panels, and use the highest grade of silicon. They also invest in the most research and development (R & D). The second tier does not invest as heavily in R & D, and use both manual and robotic processes to produce their panels. They have been in the business of making solar panels for about two to five years. Tier three companies are the newest manufacturers of solar panels. They account for about 90 percent of the solar panel production industry. They use manual processes for creating their solar cells. As a result, the quality of the solar panels coming out of their factories can change from day to day, and even employee to employee.

Tolerance

Tolerance is the range that a solar panel will meet or exceed the power (wattage) on its nameplate. A positive tolerance level means the solar panel will, at the very least, meet its wattage rating, possibly even more than expected. On the other hand negative tolerance means it does not meet its wattage rating.

Size – Physical and Wattage

How many watts a solar panel is expected to generate effects the cost directly. As the wattage increases, so the does the cost. The expected output also affects the size of the solar panel. A 200 watt panel is twice as large as a 100 watt panel. Before you determine what size of panel your roof or freestanding unit can hold you need to sort out what appliances you plan on power with solar power and whether or not you have the space.

Solar Cells

There are three kinds of solar cells used in the production of solar panels; Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Amorphous (thin-film). Monocrystalline is the most expensive and most efficient silicon cell. It presents good heat tolerance and uses a very small footprint. Polycrystalline is the most common cell used for residential installations of solar panels. They are close to matching monocrystalline in efficiency and tolerance. Amorphus are the least efficient solar panels and use the least amount of silicone in production.

SunBug Solar is a company that can help you make your decision when it comes to solar panels in an honest and reliable way. They can help you make the transition to solar easily. They offer free solar evaluations and will help you design a solar system that fits your needs. They even help you process all the necessary rebates and permits for your installation.