How To Find the Best Solar Panels

There are a lot of details that go into choosing the right solar-powered system. One of the most important factors that go into choosing the right solar-powered system is going be the solar panels that a homeowner chooses. Often people think, what is going to make one solar company a better choice than another?

Picking the right solar company and solar panels could be a difficult decision to make, so here’s a list of how to evaluate what solar company you should work with!

Why is the Bankability of Solar Panels Important?

Bankability - Solar panels are long-lasting technology. There are solar panels that are still in place that has been operating since the ’70s. Because the solar panels are going to last a long time, choosing the right solar panels will be essential. Most of the solar panels that are on the market today come with a 25-year linear performance guarantee from the manufacturer. Most of the solar panels will have a very similar performance guarantee and claim that by year 25 the solar panels must be producing a certain amount, (normally 80-85%) of its nominal solar power output. If the solar panels aren’t producing the solar energy they are guaranteed to produce, the solar company will replace the solar panels at no cost if it happens within the 25-year warranty.

One of the most important things to take into account is to be sure that you are choosing a solar company that will be around for at least 25 years to honor your warranty. If your solar panel installations are under-producing at year 12 and the solar company you picked is out of business, you could be out of thousands of dollars in costs. The longevity of the solar company is critical when it comes to your checkbook. Since solar panels are going to be a big purchase, make sure that the warranties of your solar panels will be valid is going to be crucial. Some of the larger, more bankable solar companies will take out insurance policies to back their product in the event of bankruptcy and give the consumer added protection and peace of mind. In the scenario that the solar company goes out of business, the warranties of the solar panels will still be intact and backed by the insurance policy.

If you look online for the best solar companies, you could find various lists and rankings on the internet of the largest or top solar companies. Most of these rankings are going to be based solely on the number of solar panels that the solar company can ship and transport. The sheer volume of a solar company doesn’t mean that they’re offering the best solution in terms of the quality of your solar panel installation. What it does do, it gives an indicator as to how well a solar company is doing, and how secure they are on the solar power market. The more solar panels that are shipped, the more confidence is instilled in the solar company’s ability to deliver a solution that is continually desired and bought by consumers. A solar-powered system is a long-term purchase, and you are going to want to be sure that you are getting a solar panel installation with a reliable solar company.

The Criteria You Should Use When Choosing Solar Panels

When evaluating solar panels on a few parameters: production, durability and manufacturer quality.

The amount of solar energy that solar panels can produce is going to depend on a few factors, including solar power rating, solar power tolerance, the efficiency of a solar panel and temperature coefficient. These factors are going to tell you how much solar power that your solar panels can produce.

You are also going to want to look at indicators of the manufacturer's quality. You can start by evaluating the warranties and assurances that the manufacturers are going to offer on their solar panels. Like most things, solar panels are going to degrade and become less efficient over time. Most manufacturers are going to guarantee that the solar power production of their solar panels doesn’t fall below a certain threshold over 25 years. Additionally, a lot of manufacturers are also having a materials warranty, in the rare case the solar panels end up failing.

Most solar panels are going to be very durable, but if you live in an area that has a lot of snow or powerful winds, you should be sure that the solar panels that you install are designed to withstand the conditions in your area. Make sure that the solar panels meet the IEC 61215, a reliability standard that was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). IEC 61215 uses an accelerated outdoor stress test for the solar panels to ensure their durability.

While the homeowners may choose to invest in the high quality, most efficient “premium” solar panels, but you should remember the higher the efficiency of a solar panel, the higher the cost of solar. But you should also remember that if you want if you go with the lower cost of solar, your solar panel installation may produce a lot less solar energy over its lifetime, which may reduce your overall savings.

The Diversity of the Solar Company

When the solar company offers different products and different models of solar panels that they offer, the more likely they are to stay relevant in the solar industry. Having a brand that can withstand changes that occur on the solar power market means building a diverse portfolio. The more diverse the solar company, the more likely it will last on the constantly evolving solar power industry.