Harnessing Sunlight: How to Choose the Right Solar Panel System
Besides being a remarkably green technology, having solar panels can actually make you money. Many nations will pay solar panel users for the electricity they generate. Even in areas that do not offer compensation, users can still generate enough electricity to fund their normal electricity usage. When selecting a system, you should always make sure to choose the right one.
Different styles and products are on the market. Each option varies in price and efficiency. By selecting the right one, you can lower your electricity costs and limit the amount of maintenance required for operation. The best part of the solar panel market is that there are clear leaders in the field. Overall, these options tend to be fairly reasonable in cost and provide users with a high quality product. To get started, you will need an inverter, mounting system and solar panels.
Choosing the Correct Solar Panels
To have a solar power system, you need to find the right solar panels. This technology uses photovalactic cells to gather energy from the sun. Once the cells have absorbed the energy, they convert it into DC electricity. You want to look at the solar panel’s maker very carefully before buying them. The better companies will always have an on-line website where you can go for more information.
You should also consider the location of the company. An Australian based company will be able to provide a better product and lower shipping costs. Although you can find cheap solar panels in China, the cost of shipping them can be exorbitant. Solar panels that are bought from abroad often make you do your own installation and maintenance. If you are not handy with tools, buying solar panels closer to home is a more logical option.
Once you have narrowed down the list of providers, look at the power tolerance of the solar cells. In general, you want a solar panel that has a positive power tolerance of at least five per cent. No matter what option you choose, the solar panels need to have a positive power tolerance. If it says +/- five per cent, you could end up losing some of your electricity.
Some companies will actually sell their non-performing panels to a cheap company. Although these will often be offered at a lower cost, they could end up losing you money if they have a lower power tolerance. Higher quality solar panels will always have a positive power tolerance. If you do not buy one of the better quality panels, you could end up losing out on valuable electricity generation.
Converting Solar Power to Electricity
Once your solar panels have absorbed the electricity, they have to convert it into a form that can be used by your home. For this purpose, you will need an inverter. A good inverter will take the solar power and turn it into 240V AC electricity that you can actually use.
This part is a key component in the solar panel system. If you buy a cheap inverter, you could watch it fail within the first couple years of usage. When these parts break, you have to deal with the hassle of paying for a repairman to replace it. A good inverter will last longer and can measure how much electricity you produce. Some of the better inverters will even let you connect to Bluetooth on your mobile devices.
Mounting System
You have your invert and solar panels. The last step is to purchase a mounting system. This highly important part is used to connect your solar panel system to your rooftop. You can select to have a mounting system that works for either tin or tile roofs. Most mounting frames will actually work extremely well regardless of their cost. The only thing you need to look for is a system that meets Australian standards. As long as the mounting frame is made according to Australian standards, it will be good enough to keep your solar panels securely fixed to your rooftop.
Solar Market has a wealth of information for anyone looking into solar power systems or even solar hot water. You can also get 3 free quotes from accredited installers.
Solar Power Systems – How Do I Choose The Right One
