How to choose the right solar panels
Today, more and more people are looking for ways to cut electricity costs. One way to achieve this goal is to limit the use of any electrical appliances in the house. But most people find this very difficult to do. So, what can we do to save money on paying electricity bills? A good option is to buy solar panels to create your own source of electricity. Read this article and you will learn how to choose solar panels for the house and not regret buying.
These devices convert sunlight into electricity. The greater the intensity of light, the more energy they can produce. What are the advantages of using this alternative energy source?
A clear advantage is a possibility of using the energy received for heating or conditioning your home. When using boilers with natural gas or gasoline for heating, it is necessary to pay for the consumed amount of these resources every month. Installing the same batteries can save you a monthly cost for these amenities since the energy of the sun is still free.
Many use the latter, as its use does not have a harmful effect on the environment. Some countries, for example, the US, provide tax breaks and subsidies for people who buy and install this energy source. Before you choose solar panels for cottages and houses, you need to consider some points in more detail:
- Calculate the required amount of electricity. Estimate the power of each of the devices that you wanted to connect to the batteries. Most people use the energy they produce to heat water or heat, as these systems consume quite a lot of power. Fold the power of all the devices that you decide to connect to the panels. This will give you an approximate idea of the amount of electricity consumed per month when these devices are used specifically. When buying solar panels, choose those whose power slightly exceeds the estimated. This guarantees you a sufficient level of generated power;
- Choose the place where you want to install your purchase. It depends on how much power you need and how many panels you buy. They must be in the zone of maximum illumination during the day. As a rule, the period of time during which sunlight has the greatest intensity – from 9 am to 3 pm. Therefore, it is necessary to install them so that at this time they are located facing the sun. With such intense light, solar panels can generate more energy;
- Check the guaranteed life of the photovoltaic converters you purchase. Most of them are designed for operation for 10-15 years. Many people think that they can be used forever. This is completely wrong! Before buying, calculate whether you will save these devices and their possible use during these years.
* For this: \ Take the total amount of money to pay for the power consumption of devices and devices per month. Then, multiply this number by 12 to get the estimated amount of electricity costs per year; \ Now, multiply this number (the estimated annual cost of electricity) for the guaranteed life of the panels. Compare the value obtained with the cost of solar batteries and evaluate the feasibility of such investments.
- * Let’s consider some additions to the system of solar converters. They can improve the efficiency of their work. For example, the mirror hub tracking system is a very useful device, but very expensive. In addition, it operates on the electricity generated by the converters, and therefore reduces the output power of the batteries. So, keep this in mind!
- There are many types of photoelectric converters, and if you spend a little more money, you can choose these devices with better characteristics. Photoelectric panels with thin films give a slight increase in economic efficiency. Polycrystalline – greatly increase the efficiency of the batteries, but they have too high a cost. The best at the moment are monocrystalline silicon panels. The technology of their manufacture is incredibly complex, so they are more expensive than all other species.
- Your new power source with an output power of about 1 kW will cost you about $ 10,000. This cost may vary, as apart from the panels themselves, it is necessary to take into account the costs of their installation, wiring and additional equipment.
Recommendations and Warnings:
- Before choosing solar panels for your home or villa, check the utility bills to find out the amount of energy you consume;
- Reduce the power consumption from the network to check if the installed converters provide enough power to power your electrical appliances;
- The amount of electricity generated by solar panels will vary depending on the day and time of the year;
- Some households consume 30 or more kWh per day;
- Ideally, panels designed to produce 1 kW should produce 1 kW every hour. But ideal conditions can not be achieved, in addition, the system must also take into account the loss of electricity.