Solar Panels Buying Guide

In order to get maximum efficiency from your new solar panel or solar panels, there are various steps you can take. This makes sure you get what you've paid for, and also simultaneously decreases the amount of energy you'll have to collect from other sources if the solar panel installation output falls short of your energy consumption. So in order to aid you in your quest for the best efficiency possible, we've compiled a list of tips and tricks on how to get the most from your solar PV installation, and what to think about when purchasing a solar PV.

1. Because solar power obviously comes from the sun, and is dependant largely on how much sunlight reaches the panel, solar panels will usually provide two to three more times more energy in the summer months (in climates similar to North America, especially) than in fall and winter. If you are looking to purchase one and want to see some quick returns on your investment, it is therefore more beneficial to buy just before summer.

2. In order to determine how large a PV array (or how many solar panels) you will need, and also the size of the inverter you will also need - this converts DC powers from the batteries that store solar power into AC power for your home, you will have to calculate how much energy you consume in an average month.

3. If you're looking for a cheaper, but slightly less efficient solar panel set-up, you will want to invest in a crystalline silicon-based module system. Because silicon is a more accessible ingredient in solar cell technology it is popular among manufacturers and brings down the cost of the technology a bit. The other common ingredient in solar PV technology is gallium arsenide, which is grown specifically to produce solar cells, and is therefore more expensive and in more limited supply.

4. In order to get the most power from your solar panel you will want them to be mounted on an angle equal to your latitude and facing true north if you live in the Northern hemisphere, and south if you live below the equator. You will also want to ensure it's in a spot that is not shaded at any point during the day, and the year, if possible. If you can't hide from the shadows around your house, an amorphous panel set-up is less efficient, but works better in the shade than the average solar PV set up.

So there you have it, some of the most basic things you'll need to know about owning and operating a solar PV system. We hope these have helped you to start thinking about what you'll need to do to go solar, and how to ensure you get the maximum efficiency from your solar set up.