When deciding to choose a solar panel, there are a number of criteria to consider. Well, at least if you are determined to make a good investment. Both performance, warranty, degradation rate, price and other factors are relevant.
Here we will explain how you can make sure you choose a good solar panel!
1. Solar panel performance and maximum efficiency
You want to choose a good solar panel to produce electricity effectively and reliably. Because of this, maximum efficiency and performance are among the most important criteria to consider.
Over the years, manufacturers have been competing to produce the most effective solar panel systems. Some years ago, 100 W were considered the industry norm, but today you can easily find solar panels of 300-400 W for your household.
Maximum efficiency can be considered a standard measure that will tell you how effectively the solar panel will convert sunlight into direct current electricity. Remember, with more effective solar panels, you will also need fewer panels.
2. Warranty is important when you want to choose a good solar panel
When investing in solar technology, you should also look at the manufacturer’s warranty. Usually, there will be two different types of warranty:
- Performance warranty
- Product warranty
The performance warranty will guarantee that when you choose a good solar panel it is able to produce a certain percentage of power towards the end of its expected lifetime. Ideally, the warranty should be of at least 25 years.
However, some manufacturers have solar panels with an impressive 40-year warranty (like the SunPower Maxeon 3 Series).
The product warranty is also important, as it will cover different defects caused by the manufacturing process. In most cases, you should expect the product warranty to be of 10 years or more.
3. The Bloomberg Tier 1
Another important factor to consider is the so-called Bloomberg Tier 1. This is a ranking of different solar panel manufacturers and their bankability. Remember, the warranty would be useless if the company that manufactured your solar panels closed down.
The Bloomberg Tier 1 ranking will tell you if it’s likely that the solar manufacturer is still around 25 to 30 years from now.
4. Degradation rate
When you choose a good solar panel system, you should also consider the degradation rate. The degradation rate will tell you how effective the panels are likely to be at the end of their lifetime.
Solar panels will usually degrade and produce less power as the years go by. By choosing a solar panel system with a high guaranteed effectiveness after 25 years (or more), you can potentially save a lot of money in the long run.
Ideally, the manufacturer should be able to guarantee an effectiveness of 84.8% or higher after 25 years.
Some manufacturers, like Sunpower, produce solar panels with an impressive degradation rate. For instance, the Sunpower Maxeon 5 has an expected effectiveness of 92% after 25 years.
5. Costs are an important consideration when you choose a good solar panel
For most Australians, the solar panel price will also be of huge importance. The best panels will often be very expensive, but you may also find effective and durable solar panels that are budget-friendly.
The cost will be affected by many different factors; like system size, the size of your STC rebate and the price of the product itself.
6. Solar panel technology
If you are looking to choose a good solar panel system, it is also relevant to consider the solar technology type. In the Australian market, there are mainly three different solar technologies to choose from:
Monocrystalline solar panels are considered the best when it comes to efficiency and quality. But polycrystalline solar panels are also a very good choice, as they are more budget-friendly (and yet very effective).
Thin-film solar panels are not very effective compared to the two others and are therefore not recommended by many experts.
7. Temperature coefficient
For residents living in areas of Australia that may experience extreme heat, it might be a good idea to look at the temperature coefficient of the different solar panels. This is an important consideration when looking to choose a good solar panel system.
This coefficient will indicate how much the output of the panel will be reduced in case of temperatures higher than the panel’s optimal range. So, if you live in the central or northern parts of Australia, the temperature coefficient should definitely be considered.
8. Design
If the solar panel system is installed on your rooftop, you may – or may not – see it on a daily basis. This will depend on the shape and orientation of your roof and other factors. But if the solar panels are visible, the design might be an important factor for you.
Most solar panels have a simple, square design. But remember, you might also find solar panels shaped like roof tiles. However, roof tile-shaped solar panels are not always as effective as standard solar panels. It is always a good idea to speak to CEC-approved installers when looking to choose a good solar panel system.