If you want to plan for the purchase of a complete solar system, or if you are shopping for parts to assemble the solar panels will ensure that the best equipment to purchase for your individual purposes. This article provides some basic information about solar panels, so that the right decision.
One very beginning, there is nothing like "the world's best solar cells for all." It makes a big difference if you want to generate electricityfor your home and also the excess power capacity in the electricity grid, or if you have a car battery from time to calculate. And the hot water from a solar system actually needs a totally different technique. In a strict sense, the so-called "solar thermal" or "collectors" are not even correct the solar panels. So what's the difference?
Solar panels (photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic modules) to convert short-wave radiation, as part of sunlight into electricity.They consist of connected solar cells that are protected by a number of different materials. The surface is transparent and the solar panel is framed in a frame made of mostly aluminum.
Solar collectors on the other hand, a system of tubes filled with liquid. Sunlight heats the tubes and the liquid. A heat exchanger transfers the heat is now on the circuit water system for hot water and heating. As mentioned in this article "the best solar panels," back from the generation of electricitysunlight and solar panels will save for another article.
Before you buy solar panels to look closely at the data sheet of the solar panel. It gives you important details of each solar module and helps in the selection of the best solar panels for your purposes. Maybe you want primarily to the following data:
Solar cells per se - what type of semiconductor material is used?
- Mono-crystalline silicon cells (c-Si) have an efficiency ofmore than 20%
- Polycrystalline silicon cells (mc-Si) have an efficiency of 16%
- Flat-film cells of amorphous silicon (a-Si) have a yield of 5% - 7% (better sales of solar panels
thetime)
- Micro-crystalline silicon cells (mu c-Si) are combined with silicon cells up to 10%
- Gallium-arsenic-cells (GaAs) cells of cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells, and chalcopyrite (CIS, CIGS) have efficiencies of 10 to over 40% (GaAs). Are not (yet) suitable for mostprivate customers, as are either very expensive or not yet fully developed, however.
- Panels with organic solar cells, solar cells may be the best in the future, because they can be produced at relatively low cost. At that time, their efficiency is still low (pigmented Grätzel cells are 10% max. And some are not), and their life expectancy is short (5000 hours). But keep in mind for portable electrical devices.
Solar module conversion efficiency
To see morethe overall efficiency of the solar module, not only of individual solar cells and be aware that high levels of efficiency are nothing without a guaranteed minimum performance. (See next paragraph)
Solar Power Module
Provides information about the performance of each solar module. Look for the (promised) performance standards, because the maximum power in watts (Wp) is specified, always check under test conditions (STC) were measured. As you know, it is naturalLaboratory. It offers real living conditions, and can vary in many ways surprising.
Operating voltage
Open circuit voltage, in volts (V) is specified, the maximum voltage of a solar cell produced by the light and is not connected to a load. To get hotter solar panels, the lower the load voltage is.
Operating Temperature (TOR)
As mentioned previously, the operating voltage decreases with increasing temperature. Make sure that the local climate, the TORConditions.
Construction
Remember you are buying a fragile high-tech product that can be installed on the roof and should be able to roasting sun, wind, hail and snow-load handling. Select the correct system installation. Medium Duty is good, heavy better. The best solar cells are useless when the roof collapsed and blown to the ground.
Size
Compare the size of the active area of the panel to avoid wastingSpace.
Inverter
An inverter converts the solar-electricity (direct current, DC) to alternating current (AC). Enter wrapped with heavy copper transformer's output. Set and forget. Otherwise, we will repair or replace the drive forever - sooner or later. In the worst cases, it is necessary on a regular basis. This is not a joke and a waste of time and money.
Guarantee
20 to 25 years warranty on mono and polycrystalline siliconsolar panels are common. This should be the minimum when purchasing solar panels, since today best solar panels have life expectancies of 30 years and even longer. Take a look at the factory warranty and do not accept only a dealer's warranty.
Now it's up to you to choose the best solar panels for your needs. Take your time to compare different panels, inverters and mounting systems. If you want to purchase a complete solar system and get it installed, contact more than one dealer. Now you can ask them the right questions.
In the following I have listed some manufacturers of solar panels, that made it into the Top 3 of ENF's 2007 brand survey on the world's best solar panels. ENF is a reputable photovoltaic information company located in China and in the U.K.
The survey gives you a good starting point to find the right panel for you. Please keep in mind that 2 years can be a long time in hightech business so do not rely blindly on the results. For actual info check my blog from time to time (see below). Here are the ENF results:
Best Solar Panels
Global No.1 Brand: SunPower (USA)
Global No.2 Brand: Schott Solar (Germany)
Global No.3 Brand: Solar World (Germany)
No.1 Product Quality: Sanyo (Japan)
No.1 VAlue for Money: Suntech Power (China)
Best Solar Panel Inverters
Global No.1 Brand: Kaco new energy (Germany)
Global No.2 Brand: OutBack Power Systems (USA)
Global No.3 Brand: Mastervolt (the Netherlands)
No.1 Product Quality: OutBack Power Systems (USA)
No.1 Value for Money: Kaco new energy (Germany)
Best Solar Panel Mounting Systems
Global No.1 Brand: Direct Power & Water (USA)
Global No.2 Brand: UniRac (USA)
Global No.3 Brand: Schüco (Germany)
Best Solar Trackers
Global No.1 Brand: Zomeworks (USA)
Best Solar Systems
Global No.1 Brand: Sharp (Japan)
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