The cost of solar panels has greatly reduced in recent years. Solar panels cost anywhere from under a hundred dollars to upwards of five hundred dollars each these days; depending on various factors.
It’s very important when selecting the best solar panels to use for your solar power system to bear in mind a few very important issues aside from the price tag; after all your purchase decision is one you’ll be living with for a very long time.
Don’t base a purchase decision on solar panel cost alone – the following are a few tips for choosing the best modules for your installation situation.
How much do solar panels cost?
This depends on a number of factors – but generally speaking, in relation to modules suitable for use on a home and as part of a system; they cost a few hundred dollars each.
The cost of a solar panel is determined in part by the size (in Watts), the physical size, the brand, quality of materials, the durability / longevity (or warranty period) and any certifications the solar panel might have.
However, choosing a solar panel on price alone is not wise, as it may not fit the area you wish to install it, may not have the necessary certifications to qualify for government rebates, provide the best performance to help ensure economic payback of the power produced, or a solid warranty.
3 Tiers Of Solar Panel Quality
In addition to cost, when choosing the best solar panel for your installation situation, it is important to consider both how it is manufactured and what materials are used. There are three tiers of manufacturer quality and Energy Matters only supplies solar panels from the first two tiers.
Tier one includes the top 2 percent of solar PV manufacturers. They are vertically integrated, which means they control each stage of the manufacturing process. These companies invest heavily in research and development, use advanced robotic processes and have been manufacturing solar panels for over 5 years.
Tier one producers use the best grade of silicon to produce solar cells – the higher the silicon grade, the longer the solar cell will last and the better it will perform. Tier one manufacturers produce some of the best performing solar panels.
Tier two includes companies who invest less in research and development, are reliant on both robotic and manual work on production lines and have often been in solar panel manufacture for 2 – 5 years. Generally, Tier two manufacturers produce good panels at good prices.
Tier three encompasses 90% of new solar PV manufacturers. These companies assemble panels only, they usually don’t manufacture their own cells and don’t invest in research and development. While often available at a cheaper price, these manufacturers use human production lines for manual soldering of solar cells, which often isn’t the best approach as quality can vary operator to operator and day to day.
Cost vs. value – other factors
As not all panels and module manufacturers are equal, there are a variety of other factors that should influence your purchase decision rather than focusing solely on cost.
This is the range a panel will either exceed or not meet its rated power. For example, a solar module you purchase may have a ‘nameplate’ wattage of 200 watts; but due to quality control issues, may in reality only be 195 watts. A positive tolerance rating means the panel will not only generate 200 watts, but perhaps more under standard testing conditions.
The temperature co-efficient rating is important to determine what the impact heat has on a solar panel’s operation after installation. The lower the percentage per degree Celsius, the better.
The efficiency of how a solar panel converts light into electrical energy will determine how much power your system generates. If two solar panels cost the same, but one has a higher conversion efficiency; then that module provides the better value for money – assuming the claimed efficiencies are correct.
PID stands for potential-induced degradation. Caused by stray currents triggered by certain climate conditions; the phenomenon can cause substantial power loss. A good solar panel will display little or no PID.
LID stands for Light induced degradation; a process that occurs in the first few months after a solar panel is installed. While this stabilises after a period, it can reduce the amount of power the panel produces. A good solar panel will have little or no LID.
Another important aspect to look at is the embodied energy of the solar panel – that is how energy intensive the production of the panel was and how quickly it will have paid itself back by producing more energy.
Durability / Longevity / Warranty
The durability or longevity of a solar panel warranty is important for a number of reasons – it can be an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in its products. Reputable solar panels will have a performance warranty a period of 25 years. All of our key panels; REC Solar, Daqo and Yingli Solar feature this 25 year warranty period.
However, an important point to remember about warranty is that it will only be honoured for as long as the company operates. It’s another reason to select a well known brand of solar panel rather than purchase an obscure low-cost brand that may disappear overnight. As you most likely won’t be able to buy panels directly from the manufacturer, your selection of installer and retailer is also important. It’s best to choose an installation company that is a service agent for solar panel warranty work for the particular manufacturer you select so if you do strike a problem, the turnaround time to a resolution will be far faster.
Size and Watts
The size of the solar panel in Watts will directly affect the cost, as solar panels are usually priced (and compared) in dollars per Watt. Watts are related to the output of each panel; meaning a 100 Watt panel under ideal conditions will generate 100 watt-hours of electricity each hour and a 200 Watt panel will generate 200 watt-hours each hour. Therefore expect to pay up to double the price for the 200 Watt panel, compared to the purchase cost of a 100 Watt panel.
The output of a panel also affects the physical size of the panel, meaning the 200 watt panel will be larger in size to the 100 Watt panel. . The type of solar cells used in its production also determines the size of the solar panel. They key issue to consider is that your system sizing is enough to power your appliances, and that the solar panels will physically fit in the area you wish to install them.
Your northerly facing roof space (and increasingly, west) is very valuable solar power real estate, so you’ll need to consider carefully your future plans. If you believe at some stage you will wish to install more solar panels, you need to ensure you’ll have the space to do so, otherwise you may find you’ll need to replace existing panels well before the end of their serviceable life.
Types of solar cells used
There are 3 main types of solar cells and the best solar cells for you will vary depending on the installation application.
Polycrystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon cell based solar panels are now the most popular choice in residential installs. Recent improvements in polycrystalline panel technology have resulted in the development of modules equal to or better than many monocrystalline brands in terms of size, efficiency and heat tolerance. One of the world’s leading producers of polycrystalline panels is REC.
Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon uses the least amount of silicon. While some thin film panels are among the least efficient solar cells, Solar Frontier CIS solar panels offer the highest conversion efficiency of any mass-produced thin-film module.
Solar Panel Shopping Checklist
In summary, these are the major points you should bear in mind when buying solar panels aside from cost:
- Consider how the module is manufactured and the materials used.
- Research how the panels perform in real world situations – including positive tolerance, temperature co-efficient rating, PID and LID resistance and efficiency.
- Compare the warranty details of the solar panels you are considering buying.
- Learn more about the company that manufactures the panels
Questions? Contact our team of friendly experts for free, no-obligation advice on the best solar panels and full systems for your circumstances – you can also generate an instant online quote or view our current system specials.