So you’ve made the decision to explore solar panels for your home or property. Like anything else, a wide variety of options, brands, and variations can understandably lead to some confusion.
What types of panels are available? What is the best type of solar panel? How long do solar panels last? How are solar panels made?
In this article, we’ll dive into the solar panel options, and which of those is best suited for your home. We will also look at weather conditions, and how they affect efficiency and degradation.
Last, we will explore the different Tiers of panels, and what qualifications are used to determine the Tier rating for a solar panel manufacturer.
The 3 Main Types of Solar Panels
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Although less efficient, this type of panel will be the most affordable. Polycrystalline solar cells are made from many fragments of silicon crystals melted together. For this reason, Polycrystalline solar panels have lower efficiency and shorter lifespan, meaning they don’t generate as much electricity from the sun compared to Monocrystalline panels. These panels will appear blue in color with tiny speckles.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
This type of panel is the oldest and most well-developed. As the name suggests, monocrystalline solar panels are made up of single silicone cells. These panels will last longer and have higher efficiency. In terms of looks, they will have a black, uniform finish making them ideal for homeowners looking for an aesthetically pleasing option.
Thin Film Solar Panels
This type of panel is flexible and very thin. Thin-film solar panels tend to have lower efficiencies and power capacities compared to crystalline panels. They require a lot more roof space to generate a large amount of solar energy. They also tend to degrade more quickly compared to crystalline panels, resulting in the shortest of warranties.
At the end of the day, the right choice depends on your particular situation. If you have a larger roof and are looking for the most cost-effective option, go with Polycrystalline. However, for those with smaller roofs looking for the best performance, monocrystalline is best.
Efficiency Levels
Solar panel efficiency refers to the percentage of sunlight that is transformed by the panel into energy. This number depends on a number of factors including the type of panel, weather conditions, angle to the sun, and orientation. Modern solar panels will have an efficiency between 7-22%.
Thin film panels are the least efficient, around 7-15%.
Polycrystalline efficiency will be somewhere in the middle, usually about 13-17%.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient at around 18-22%.
Weather Conditions
Snow
Winters will affect a solar panel's production mainly due to less sunlight and high levels of snow. In order to help with this issue, panels are installed on an angle that allows snow to slide off. Panels also create heat which also assists in the melting process. You can click HERE to read more on what happens to solar panels during the winter.
Wind
This will not have a noticeable effect on panel efficiency. The panels will operate more efficiently at a cooler temperature, but the difference is negligible.
Ice
It is important to avoid buildup as it can affect panel efficiency by 25-100% depending on thickness.
Hail
Solar panels undergo rigorous hail testing and can withstand heavy hail. A well-produced panel will not be damaged by hail. If you live in an area with extremely heavy hail, it may be worth your while to include your solar panels as part of your home insurance.
Degradation
Solar panels will naturally degrade over time due to age, weather, and quality. We will look at the degradation figures for the two most popular solar panel types – Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline.
Both mono & poly panels reduce in rating by about 2% after their first year of operation. In years 2 to 25, monocrystalline panels reduce in rating by an average of 0.55% per year and polycrystalline panels by 0.7% per year.
Therefore, monocrystalline panels lose approximately 15% of their power rating at the end of 25 years and polycrystalline panels lose about 19% over the same period.
Tiers
Solar panels are offered in three tiers. Bloomberg New Energy Finance Corporation created this classification to distinguish between firms that are expected to provide solar electricity over the 25-year warranty period and those that only offer solar equipment or assembly.
Tier-1
Top 2% of manufacturers. These solar panels will offer the highest quality materials. Automated robotic manufacturing and assembly will also eliminate issues due to human error. Tier 1 manufacturers will typically be vertically integrated, meaning all components are made in-house. They are highly regarded in the industry with strong financials, and top-tier customer service and are normally publicly listed on the stock exchange. These panels will typically come with a 25-year performance warranty.
Tier-2
These are medium-sized manufacturers. They rely partly on robotic manufacturing but also on human production lines which can lead to lower performance. There is typically little research and development involved with these companies, and they have been around for a much shorter time than Tier 1. Warranties will be 15-25 years, but you can expect service to be below that of Tier 1.
Tier-3
These manufacturers will normally stick to panel assembly alone. They use other manufacturers’ components and operate solely on a human workforce. Although warranties are still offered, they are considered far inferior.
When looking for which type of solar panel to purchase for your home, consider which type of solar panel best suits your particular needs. For most Canadians living in suburban areas connected to the grid, a Tier-1 monocrystalline solar panel with high efficiency and a 25-year power warranty is the best option.
Now that you know what type of panel you need...
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