Hardware installation

Solar modules are the most critical part of all PV system, and they transform the solar energy into DC current. 

Three Major Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels modules
Polycrystalline solar panels modules
Thin-film modules

 The safest choice for your purpose depends on your budget, quality expectations and efficiency. The better production you expect, the higher the costs will be.

In general, the low-cost modules are principally made of polycrystalline solar panels, created by melting raw silicon which is way more cost-effective and faster than manufacturing processes used to develop monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline panels will operate with an efficiency rate of approximately 14-18 percent and the lifespan of 23-27 years

Monocrystalline panels come with higher efficiency (18-24 percent) and can be readily recognized for their analogous black look and rounded edges. These panels also have the longer lifetime (25–40 years) compared to other varieties. Their most significant disadvantage is cost as they are the most expensive ones in the market

Lastly, thin-film panels have the lowest market share at the time, but they have the potential to be more integrated as further developments take place. In general, they have approximately 7-14 percent efficiency rate and their expenses are relatively low, you can quickly recognize them as the flexible modules.

Choice of one or another module for your requirements depends on your space availability, efficiency requirements and costs from manufacturers.

This decision will affect the total cost of solar system installation by almost 20 percent.

Take into account that cost per watt is not the only relevant parameter in the long-term. The lifespan is also important as monocrystalline solar panel efficiency performance will endure longer than polycrystalline or thin-film ones and therefore possibly providing better revenues.

Current average price of solar panels is nearly USD $0.64 per watt in the United States.

Solar inverters

Inverters convert the DC electricity obtained directly from solar panels or stored in batteries into the AC current that households use. Solar inverter opportunities for residential purposes can be summarized as:

String Inverters
Microinverters
DC Power Optimized Inverters
 
Past specific technical differences, one crucial fact that affects the selection of one or another is the wanted performance against the shading of one or a group of solar panels from the whole array. Shading is undesirable because it diminishes the efficiency of the entire solar system.

When String Inverters are chosen, PV modules are connected in parallel, under this arrangement if one module is shaded, the whole inverter is affected.

Differently, DC Power Optimized and Microinverters allow freedom on the performance of each solar panel and therefore achieve a higher total efficiency of the system

Cost Variations

String Inverter prices are generally around USD $0.15 per watt.
AC and DC Power Optimized Inverters are approximately USD $0.17 per watt. Microinverters prices can go up to USD $0.40 per watt 
In most cases, DC Power Optimizer Inverters are excellent, as overall efficiency is much higher than String Inverters achieve and total prices are much more reasonable.

Average inverter expense addition to solar systems is near USD 0.21 per watt in the United States 
 

Mounting System

For the kind of a mounting system is convenient to use the mobility of the module’s angle. There are:

Fixed
Adjustable
Tracking systems
 
The tracking system is the most costly as it follows the arch of the sun, providing the highest efficiency.

Fixed and adjustable choices are suited depending on the location of the installation. Fixed mounting systems require continuous sunlight, while adaptable systems are best accommodated for varying season latitudes.

Overall price for structural designs is around USD $0.12 per watt in the US 

Want to save and be guided by experts who do the research and know the answers? Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. How much solar power you need and how much you can save on your energy bills each month.