Whether you are new to this ever-growing world of solar energy or are considering installing solar panels in your home or business premises, you are in the right place. Undoubtedly, solar power is one of the world's most widely available and popular renewable energy options today. Fortunately, it can power various appliances, from your TV, cookers, and air conditioners to refrigerators, and keep your house and business premises lit at night.

Due to its many benefits, installing solar panels is becoming a more alluring choice for many homes and businesses. Aside from helping you offset or reduce your energy bills, relying on solar energy as your energy source can help reduce your carbon footprints on the environment.

However, installing solar panels in your home can be challenging, especially now that several different types of panels are available in the market. Hence, prior research is vital before you embark on this life-changing investment in your home or business premises.

What You Need to Know About Solar Panels

Most people know solar panels generate electricity using sunlight, but few know how this revolutionary invention works. A solar panel is typically a group of silicon-made photovoltaic (PV) cells enclosed in a metal frame. During a sunny day, the PV cells in your solar panel absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) through a process known as the photovoltaic effect.

However, since most appliances do not use DC, you will need an inverter in your solar panel system to convert this current into alternating current (AC) to power your business or home. Since some days your solar panel system can generate excess energy, you should have solar batteries in place to store excess energy for your use when the sun goes down or during blackouts.

The four primary types of solar batteries most people use to store the excess energy produced by their solar panels include:

  1. Lead-acid batteries.

  2. Lithium-ion batteries.

  3. Nickel-cadmium.

  4. Flow batteries.

Various Types of Solar Panels You Need to Know

Even though most solar panels have comparable parts, there are still various types of panels you ought to know if you want to go green.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Also known as mono panels or single-crystal panels, monocrystalline solar panels consist of a single crystal sliced into many thin wafers. Since they contain pure silicon crystals, you can easily identify these solar panels due to their dark color, making them less noticeable on roofs.

If you are looking for an ideal solar panel for your residential building or business, monocrystalline solar panels are ideal because they are very efficient and best suited for limited roof spaces. However, if your home energy needs are higher than the average energy needs for most homes, you could also consider purchasing monocrystalline solar panels.

Depending on your preferences and energy needs, you could opt to install any of the following types of monocrystalline solar panels in your home or business:

  • Passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC).

  • Interdigitated back contact.

  • Bifacial.

  • Roof tile.

To know the most suitable type of monocrystalline solar panel for your home or business, consult a solar panel installation specialist for guidance and installation. Aside from being energy-efficient and space-efficient, monocrystalline panels have several advantages that make them popular for most businesses and homeowners. Examples of these advantages include the following:

  • They have a long lifespan.

  • They can produce electricity even on cloudy days.

  • They have a sleek appearance that makes them aesthetically appealing.

  • They are easy to install.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners on a budget. As the name suggests, polycrystalline solar panels consist of several silicon crystals, which are melted and poured into a square mold. The manufacturing process of these panels makes them more affordable since there is minimal wastage of materials used to make them.

However, because their silicon crystals are less pure, these solar panels are less effective at converting sunlight to electricity than monocrystalline panels. Still, polycrystalline solar panels remain a popular choice for many homeowners and businesses due to their affordable pricing. Other advantages of these solar panels include the following:

  • They are eco-friendly because they use less energy and create less waste during the manufacturing process.

  • They are durable.

  • They have a high power density.

If you live in an area that is rich in sufficient sunlight, polycrystalline panels could be an excellent choice for your home or business. However, if you do not like their speckled appearance and bluish tint, which makes them conspicuous, you should consider other solar panel alternatives.

Thin-Film Solar Panels

Another revolutionary and popular type of solar panel you would want to consider is thin-film solar panels. The name of these solar panels is derived from how they are manufactured. The process of making these panels involves rolling out thin films of semiconductor PV materials on a surface.

These thin, light-absorbing layers of PV materials could be over 300 times thinner than those used to make a standard silicon solar panel, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a portable device. Unfortunately, they are not as efficient as traditional polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels, meaning you will need more to produce the same amount of energy.

Since several thin-film solar panels are needed to generate sufficient electricity for your business or household use, you will also require more space to install them. That is why they are more often used in industrial and commercial projects. While they are less efficient than polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels, thin-film solar panels are aesthetically pleasing and customizable to fit your roofing shape.

If you want a solar panel that is less noticeable on your roof, thin-film solar panels are an excellent choice. Depending on the material used to make them and your budget, you can opt to install any of the following types of thin-film solar panels in your home or business to offset your electricity bills:

  1. Cadmium telluride.

  2. Amorphous silicon.

  3. Gallium arsenide.

  4. Copper indium gallium selenide.

Generally speaking, the main types of solar panels available in the market are discussed above. When deciding which solar panel is best for your home or business, you should consult a local installer to help you make this decision.

Types of Solar Inverters You Can Choose for Your Solar Panel System

If you are considering investing in solar energy, you would also want to consider the type of inverter most suitable for your solar panel system. Below are three types of solar inverters you can choose to ensure the DC produced by your solar panels is converted to AC, which is ready for use:

  • String inverters.

  • Micro inverters.

  • Power optimizers.

A seasoned solar panel installation contractor can assess your needs and budget to determine the best interpreter for your unique solar panel system.

What Should I Consider When Choosing a Solar Panel Type?

Unlike in the past, when most would go for the cheapest commodities, modern-day shoppers take time to research the items they want to buy and explore the available options. While it could take some time and effort, doing that can ensure you receive the best service or product from your hard-earned money.

To that end, here are some of the factors you would want to consider when selecting an appropriate solar panel for your home or business investment:

Your Budget

How much you are willing to spend on this lifetime investment is a critical consideration when purchasing solar panels for your business or household use. While choosing the cheapest solar panel type is tempting, you should know that this initial cost is one piece of a puzzle.

You should also consider the solar panels' warranty, performance, reliability, and maintenance needs. All this will affect the choice of solar panel type that suits your budget.

A Solar Panel's Performance

Performance is usually one of the most important factors to consider when finding a reliable solar panel for your business or household use. While you do not have to choose the most effective solar panel type, you should ensure the one you settle for can seamlessly produce the electricity you need to power your appliances and light up your home or business.

To help reduce your options, you should know that the average solar panel efficiency will range between 15% and 22%. Choosing a solar panel with an efficiency rating within this range or higher could be a worthwhile investment.

The Solar Panel's Size

Although your house roof space could be sufficient, you should consider purchasing a solar panel of the right size because it generates power per square meter. Understanding the solar panel size you want can help you prepare for the installation process because it requires ample space.

Roof Compatibility

The direction of solar panel placement on your roof can significantly affect its power output. Therefore, you should carefully access your home and roof to know which area receives the most sunlight daily. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid mounting your solar panels in any area or direction where buildings, trees, and other structures could block them.

Durability and Warranty

Since you cannot prevent your panels' exposure to environmental elements and other factors that could downgrade them, durability is a factor you cannot overlook when selecting your ideal solar panel type. When negotiating with your prospective solar panel dealer or manufacturer, it is wise to inquire about durability before signing any deal.

A reliable company will also give you a warranty if the solar panel fails to perform as expected. If your prospective solar panel dealer does not provide a warranty, you should consider finding a different company to buy your solar panel.

Whether the Company Will Provide You With Maintenance Services

Since some of the materials used to make solar panels degrade with time, you need to have them serviced and cleaned regularly. Although cleaning and wiping them to remove dust and debris is easy, you will need a professional to inspect their components. Fortunately, some solar panel companies provide free yearly maintenance as part of their package deal when purchasing your panels.

Therefore, when selecting your solar panel type, you should check with your prospective dealer or company whether they provide free maintenance as part of their package deal.

Your Prospective Company or Dealer's Reputation

Finally, it is important to check whether your prospective solar panel company or dealer is reputable. Some companies lure you with attractive advertisements, but their solar panels are unreliable. Therefore, it is wise to do background research to determine whether your prospective solar panel dealer is reputable.

The best place to start is by checking past client reviews on their website and social media profiles. A reliable solar panel company will have its reputation precede it.

Benefits of Investing in Solar Panels

Solar panels have become a popular renewable energy source worldwide for valid reasons. Aside from reducing your carbon footprints on the environment and helping offset your electricity bills, other notable benefits of investing in a solar panel system in your home or commercial establishment include:

  • They help add value to your home or commercial establishment.

  • There is independence whenever there is a grid failure or blackout.

  • They require minimal maintenance because they have few moving parts.

Investing in solar panels is a decision you cannot regret. If you are unsure whether or not to invest in solar panel systems, you should speak with a seasoned solar panel installer for guidance and advice.

Find a Reputable Solar Panel Installation Company Near Me

Solar energy has existed for several years as a green alternative. However, the advancement of technology and the push towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable future make a solar-powered home more achievable than ever.

If you are unsure which solar panel type is ideal for your home or business's power needs, you should consult with a reliable solar panel installer. Our solar panel installers at Sun Solar Electric can help you select the best type for your home or business and assist you in the installation process.

We invite you to call us at 707-658-2157 and let our credible solar panel installers help you bring your vision to life wherever you are in the Bay Area and Northern California.