Solar Panels Salt Lake City improve a home’s resale value and reduce monthly energy costs. However, upfront costs are high.
Choosing the best solar panels is a complex process that involves multiple factors. The first step is to determine which solar panel type is right for your home. Efficiency levels are the next consideration. Panels with higher starting efficiencies save more money over time than lower efficiency models.
The monocrystalline solar panel uses a single, very pure, high-efficiency silicon crystal to convert sunlight into electricity. They produce more electricity than the polycrystalline and thin-film options and have a lifespan of up to 30 years. Monocrystalline panels have a black appearance and a sleek, sophisticated look. They are also less expensive than the other two types of solar panels. The efficiency of these solar panels translates into lower installation costs as well.
During the production process, the raw material, silicon dioxide, is turned into a semi-conducting material by melting it in an electric arc furnace. From there the molten silicon is pulled into a cylindrical shape called an ingot. This ingot is then sliced into thin discs, called wafers. These wafers then undergo a series of processes to improve their performance. They are then assembled into solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar cells have a uniform structure that helps the electrons to move consistently, which in turn increases their energy conversion efficiency. This is why they are regarded as the most efficient type of solar panel on the market.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when comparing monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline solar panels. First, the process of creating a mono ingot is more complex than the poly process. This can make mono-crystalline solar panels more expensive to manufacture. Additionally, the shaved pieces of the ingot cannot be reused, which results in wasted materials.
When determining whether to choose mono or polycrystalline solar panels, you should consider your budget and energy needs. Both options have many benefits, but the right choice for you depends on your particular situation.
While both mono and polycrystalline solar panels have high efficiency ratings, the best choice for you may depend on your specific project requirements. It is important to request quotes from several companies to compare their prices and services, so you can find the best deal on solar panels for your home. If you are interested in a new solar system, please contact one of the trusted EcoWatch partners listed below. They can answer any questions you have about solar power or assist you in finding the right solar panel for your home or business.
Polycrystalline
Polycrystalline solar panels are a familiar sight across many rooftops. They use multiple silicon wafers that are melted together and have a distinctive blue hue and pattern. While they don’t have the efficiency levels of monocrystalline solar panels, their streamlined structure makes them a great option for those looking to take control of their energy needs and cut down on utility bills.
To make the most efficient solar panels, manufacturers roughen and etch the surface of the silicon wafers to improve their conductivity. Then they inject them with phosphorus and nitrogen to create a powerful p-n junction that’s essential for producing electricity from sunlight. Creating this layer can be a lengthy process, but it helps ensure that the panel is as productive as possible.
The octagonal shapes of polycrystalline solar cells allow them to fit tightly together without any wasted space like round cookies on a baking sheet. This also allows them to fit more solar cells into the same space, cutting down on energy consumption and production costs. Polycrystalline solar panels are less expensive than monocrystalline solar panels because they require less energy and produce fewer waste products during manufacturing. They also have lower temperature coefficients than monocrystalline solar panels, making them a better choice for hot climates where the sun is more intense.
Although both mono and polycrystalline solar panels are designed for durability, the difference in their heat tolerance is noticeable. A solar panel’s temperature coefficient indicates how much its efficiency decreases as it heats up. Monocrystalline solar panels have a lower temperature coefficient than polycrystalline solar panels, but both types perform well in most conditions.
Regardless of your solar power system’s efficiency rating, you should always choose a solar panel type that will fit your home. Consider factors such as the number of hours of sunlight your location receives, the amount of roof space available for your solar panel installation, and how much electricity you need. Unbound Solar can help you determine the best solar panel type for your home, so contact us today! We’ll walk you through all the options and help you find a system that meets your energy needs.
Thin-Film
Thin-film solar panels are a second-generation technology that use thin layers of photovoltaic, or PV, materials. They are light and flexible, with a lower profile than monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.
The NREL defines a thin-film solar panel as any “photovoltaic cell in which the semiconductor layer is thinner than the photovoltaic material.” Thin-film technologies typically have very high energy conversion efficiencies, but they can also be more expensive to manufacture. Thin-film solar panels are most often used on commercial and residential buildings and vehicles, including curved roofs and windows. They may also be used to power portable items, such as laptops, mobile phones and cameras, or on RVs or boats.
There are several different types of thin-film solar panels, each using a slightly different process to create the PV cells. Some examples include cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and amorphous silicon (a-Si). These are all thin-film solar modules that are characterized by a non-crystalline silicon layer that is less dense than traditional silicon PV panels. As a result, they are more affordable and offer comparable performance to traditional silicon PV.
In addition, thin-film solar modules generally have better performance abilities in shaded conditions than crystalline silicon PV. This makes them an excellent choice for rooftops that are shaded by trees, neighbouring buildings or dirt build-up on the mounting system. Thin-film solar modules are also much more efficient in extreme angle sun exposures, making them an ideal choice for north facing roofs or a roof oriented at a tilted angle.
One key difference between crystalline silicon and thin-film solar technologies is that crystalline silicon is more sensitive to temperature, which reduces the efficiency of the solar module. This is a significant disadvantage when the climate of the location where the solar module is installed can be very hot or cold, as it is in many parts of the world.
Regardless of which type of solar panels you choose, it’s important to maintain them regularly. This helps ensure that the panels are able to produce as much electricity as possible, and it also prevents dust or other debris from blocking sunlight. Regular cleaning of the panels will also help keep them looking good.
Net Metering
With a properly-sized solar energy system, your home should be able to generate more electricity than you consume in a year. However, the amount of electricity your solar panels produce will vary throughout the year due to seasonal factors such as longer daylight hours in the summer and shorter ones in the winter. Net metering allows you to account for this variation by crediting you for the excess power your solar panels produce. This credit can then be applied to your utility bill on days when you need more electricity than what you are producing.
Most utilities have some type of net metering program for customers with solar energy systems. The program usually involves replacing your electricity meter with one that is bi-directional, allowing it to record the energy you are sending to the grid. This will give you a credit for each kilowatt-hour of electricity your solar panel system produces and use against the kilowatt-hours of energy you take from the grid during nighttime or cloudy conditions.
The credits you receive for the energy your solar panels produce are a great way to offset or even eliminate your utility bills. But it’s important to remember that these are credits, not a source of direct income. The value of your solar credits will decrease over time as you use up your excess energy, and they will expire after 30 months unless extended by the state or utility company.
In addition to the benefits of net metering, solar energy helps homeowners and businesses reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, which can increase costs and contribute to environmental degradation. In addition, solar energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the reliability of the electricity grid.
Before installing solar panels, make sure you research your local net metering and interconnection policies. These will vary by state, region, and utility company. Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) to learn more about how each state supports solar energy. Then, work with an experienced installer to find the best solar solution for your home or business.