Factors You Should Consider Before Choosing Home Solar Power Panels

What are home solar power panels? The primary function of a solar panel is to transform sunlight into usable electricity. This effect is a physical manifestation of the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are made up of solar cells that are gathered together within a frame.

The Quantity of Solar Power

Each solar cell can convert the sunlight into useful electricity. However, the conversion rate of each section is somewhat limited when measured in total wattage output. Each cell only produces an amount of electricity equivalent to 1 to 2 Watts.

Therefore a considerable number of solar cells need to be integrated into each solar panel. Usually, a significant number of meetings are connected to form a so-called solar panel array. This procedure is necessary to produce a usable quantity of solar power for a complete home. In this case, you can consider hiring trusted residential solar services in New Orleans to install your solar panel.

This joining of solar cells to establish higher power is an inherent advantage of the solar cell system. It follows that when you require additional power for personal consumption, you only have to add more panels.

There are several solar power panels, which have different power generating characteristics and features dependent upon the material from which they are made. They can be made up of either thin-film, monocrystalline, or polycrystalline modules. The Thin-film solar cell consists of alloys (amorphous-silicon), stored in thin layers deposited on a substrate. This means it can be quite supple (dependent on the substrate used) and is, therefore, more readily applicable in specific environments.

On the other hand, Monocrystalline is created from one silicon crystal rod and can be considered as having a rigid structure. The silicon rod is cut into thin wafers to provide the base within which solar cells are formed. Polycrystalline solar cells are processed from numerous silicon crystals heated together and then cooled in molds to form ingots of silicon. The ingot is then cut into wafers and processed as before to produce solar cells.

The output and input power ratio measure the efficiency of a home solar power panel. Generally, solar panels return an efficiency range of from approximately 10 percent to about 19 percent. As might be expected, the higher the efficiency rating obtained, the more likely each panel’s cost will also be higher. Therefore, when planning a new installation, it is necessary to consider initial installation costs against better long-term efficiency savings to make the right choice for you.

Determining the right solar panels, therefore, requires a knowledge of some specific parameters. These parameters will help you decide which solar panel to use in your application. Three critical measurements to be aware of include ‘efficiency’, ‘rated power at STC,’ and ‘rated power per square foot.’ ‘Efficiency’ is the ratio of the solar panel’s output power to the input power of the sunlight reaching it. ‘Rated power at STC’ measures the total output in watts from the panel under Standard Test Conditions. ‘Rated power per square foot’ is the solar panel’s power output at Standard Test Conditions per square foot of the panel’s surface area.

Finally, modern home solar power panel designs maximize the generation of electricity from solar energy. They are now a viable option if you wish to harness this form of ‘renewable’ energy to meet your home consumption.