May 5th, 2019 | Updated on April 8th, 2023
The rising cost of fossil fuels that are primarily used for generating power and the increased focus on the need to curb emissions has given an added fillip to solar power.
According to https://www.seia.org, in America, solar power generation has shown an average growth rate of over 50% in the last decade and the nation now has an installed capacity of over 64 GW that generates enough power to meet the needs of more than 12.3 million homes.
Even though earlier, the growth of solar power generation was hindered by the high cost, advancements in technology have made it far more competitive; however, to ensure that your investment will pay off within a reasonable period, you need to follow a few important tips:
1. Ask Around
Ask your friends, relatives, colleagues, or even neighbors about their experience of buying and using solar panels. Their experience will help you to understand the benefits and pitfalls of the technology better and also alert you to certain problems that can be avoided with suitable planning. You can ask for manufacturer recommendations for those who have had a very good experience.
2. Decide On The Panel Technology
Monocrystalline solar cells are generally the most efficient; however, they are very expensive when compared to Polycrystalline cells, though the technology has seen a rapid improvement in recent times. Thin film technology has the lowest efficiency factor.
You will need to find a comfortable trade-off point between cost and efficiency; however, the availability of roof space is an important consideration if you are opting for less efficient technology. Learn more at Solar Energy for Tiny Houses TinyHouseLife.org.
3. Manufacturer’s Warranty
The investment in solar panels is considerable and the panels will need to last for a really long to justify their cost. Look around for reputable manufacturers who offer a warranty of at least 25 years on their products, which is generally good enough for the project to not only pay for itself but also yield a decent profit over conventional utility usage cost.
Since the warranty period is long, you should go along only with reputed manufacturers as otherwise; it is quite likely that the company would not be around to honor its warranty.
4. Be Wary Of Bargains
Good quality solar panels can be quite expensive so you need to be extremely cautious of offers that are substantially less. It is quite likely that the seller has no track record, may just be an importer of poor quality equipment or compromise on the quality of the installation.
It is important to do proper research and find out the reasons if there is a significant difference in the cost. Resist the temptation of buying cheap because you are likely to get what you pay for.
Conclusion
You will be able to realize the maximum benefit of your solar panel setup when you get the panels installed by an engineer who is certified for the local area, as it is all too easy to get the installation wrong and lose everything due to a cyclone. Ensure that the inverter efficiency is as high as possible to ensure that the least power is lost in the conversion of DC to AC. Make sure you have a proper invoice and the warranty papers.
