How to Select a Solar Panel?

Answer 1

Solar panels collect energy from the sun in order to power the home, office, or school. This is a “clean” energy source because it captures energy from a natural energy source rather than coal or water turbines or other forms to generate electricity. Most solar panels are photovoltaic cells that contain silicon to convert the energy. Each photovoltaic cell can only capture a certain amount of energy. Therefore, several cells must be combined to provide and convert the energy to a usable form.

Although cadmium telluride is a material used in solar panels, silicon is the most common form and the most efficient. The solar panels must be protected from wind, storms, hail, and other types of weather related damage. Photovoltaic cells contain the ability to extract electricity from a variety of frequencies of light. Unfortunately, the cells sometimes have difficulty producing electricity from ultraviolet light, infrared light, or low levels of light. The reason solar energy is not as effective as other forms of energy is because the ultraviolet light and low light levels cannot be converted to electricity. However, these types of light are often more abundant. Scientists are conducting studies to split the light into different wavelengths. This will allow the light to be directed towards certain panels. Scientists anticipate that the splitting process will increase energy efficiency by half. Infrared photovoltaic cells may allow power to be produced at night. This will also increase energy efficiency as well.

Some of the leading producers of solar panels are as follows:

SunPower

Sanyo

Sharp

Sunforce

Gamma Solar

NanoHorizons

HoloSun

Ameresco Solar

Sanyo produces an efficient solar panel with a conversion ratio of 20.4 percent. SunPower produces a panel with a 19.3 percent conversion ratio.

The prices of the unit vary. Sunforce produces a panel between $600 and $700 per panel. The panel has a remote backup power source and high efficiency polycrystalline silicone cells. Sharp also produces a reliable solar panel that retails for $719. Currently, this solar panel can be obtained for half the cost on some sites. This particular module is durable, but only possesses an efficiency rating of 12.9 percent.