A study from Q4 of 2022 showed that solar panels were becoming more popular throughout the United States.
One can only expect that an updated study at the end of 2023 will show greater adoption. If you’ve considered installing solar panels for your home, there’s no time like the present.
But how do you get your hands on the best quality solar panels? How do you ensure you make the right investment in solar panels?
Here’s what you need to know:
Find a Brand Name
As with anything else, you have to buy your solar panels from a great brand. You can discover more about what makes certain solar panels better than others.
You should also choose a company that offers solar panel installation services. You don’t want to buy from one company and then use installation services from another company. If you’re looking for a complete installation of high quality solar panels, look no further than Amp Solar Squad, we are your local solar power installation expert and we’ll guarantee 100% satisfaction.
Now let’s look at some of the factors that contribute to the best quality solar panels.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The first thing that makes a solar panel great is that it ensures efficiency. Solar panel efficiency refers to the ratio of power generated compared to the solar power received.
For example, let’s say the sun is shining and it’s a particularly hot day. This means that your solar panels will absorb lots of solar power.
You want to make sure that your house remains fully powered in this scenario. Let’s suppose that it’s a bright day but your power isn’t reliable. This means that your solar panels have poor efficiency.
Take your time to find solar panels that are renowned for their efficiency. While no solar panels are perfect, there are ones that have higher rates of efficiency than others.
How Much Do the Best Quality Solar Panels Cost?
The next consideration is how much you’ll pay to buy and install solar panels. Before you get intimidated, these prices can get offset by any rebates or tax credits you’ll receive from solar panels.
Prices vary, but as a general rule, the best quality solar panels will range from 67 cents to $1.60 per watt. The larger your home is, the more watts you’ll need if you want to make a full switch to solar. You have to research the solar panel type and solar panel size when considering price.
Due to the high prices, you might not be able to pay upfront. Most solar panel companies will let you opt for a payment plan. Many of these will give you between 18 to 36 months to pay off your solar panels.
Remember, there’ll also be an additional cost to pay for panel installation services. You might also have to opt for a payment plan for this. The cost of installation depends on how long it’ll take to cover your entire home with solar panels.
As we alluded to earlier, you might qualify for tax rebates or credits. This can help save you money or get a refund on your purchase. Keep that in mind when you pay for solar panels and installation.
You also have to look at any discount options. While solar panels are getting hot, they’re still a new thing in our collective consciousness. You might find that a solar panel company is willing to give a discount to new customers.
Where Did These Solar Panels Come From?
The next consideration is to look at where solar panels were manufactured. While many countries are making solar panels, there are only a select few that have gained a reputation for creating high-quality ones.
American solar panels are always the easiest option. They have to go through regulations to ensure they’re prepared for sale.
If you buy from abroad, make sure you buy from a country where solar panels are becoming popular. While there might be many great things in the Arctic Circle, a small town in Norway likely won’t make great solar panels.
In contrast, with load shedding being a normal part of life, South Africa produces great solar panels.
Take your time to research the manufacturing company. Make sure you always choose one that has several years of experience behind them.
You should also research the original manufacturer. Many solar panel brands will label their solar panels with their brand name. However, this doesn’t mean that they are the original manufacturer.
Solar Panel Warranty
When buying solar panels, you want to consider the warranty. Firstly, you must always ensure that the solar panel warranty is an option. Even if you’re buying from a top brand, you should never buy solar panels if a warranty isn’t available.
This is to protect you in case there are any issues. It ensures that you can get a free replacement or repair if your solar panels get damaged.
Warranties come in different lengths. At the bare minimum, you want to choose a warranty that’s at least 12 months old. If you can opt for 24 months that’s ideal.
Vital Specifications
The best solar panels have certain specifications that make them stand out. You want to first look at power tolerance. The higher the power tolerance, the better.
This refers to how much your solar panels can maintain their efficiency if more or less power gets used. You want to make sure the solar panels always work to their full capacity no matter what.
The last specification is to look at the coefficient of temperature. This means that your solar panels can operate at higher temperatures.
If you live in a colder climate, make sure your solar panels can adapt as well. You want to make sure they can get protected from snow or extremely cold weather.
Lifespan of Solar Panels
Another thing that makes solar panels stand out is that they’ll have a long lifespan.
On average, you should expect your solar panels to last at least 20 years. Most will not go beyond 30 years. This is something you should research before you buy solar panels.
Since solar panel usage is still new, we haven’t had too many test cases to see how long solar panels have lasted. As of now, it’s largely a guessing game. However, you should ask the brand how they ensure that their solar panels last as long as possible.
You also have to consider how powerful your solar panels will be as the years progress. For example, after 10 years will the solar panels still perform at 80% to 90% capacity?
Why Go Solar?
Now that we’ve broken down how to choose the best quality solar panels, we’ll make the case for why you need to act fast.
We mentioned South Africa earlier in this guide. For at least a decade, load shedding has been a part of everyday life. This means that access to electricity isn’t available 24/7. As one can expect, this causes many issues for the average South African.
The South African commenter Roman Cabanac stated that the lack of electricity is not the average person’s fault. However, he stated that it is their problem.
The solution is to become self-sufficient and part of that is to have your own energy source. Solar panels are one of the many ways to become self-reliant.
As Americans, we don’t suffer from load shedding. But we too must work on becoming more self-reliant. We’re still in the midst of a financial crisis and things will only decline in the West for several years.
Now is the time for Americans to go back to being self-reliant. Solar panels are a crucial step. You shouldn’t always depend on your local electric company to provide you with power at all times.
Best Practices
Let’s end with some best practices to consider when you start buying solar panels.
One of the first things you should do is test them out. Next time you go on a trip, try to stay in an Airbnb that has solar panels. This lets you test out solar panels to see how they work.
If you do decide to install solar panels in your home, start small. You don’t have to replace your entire power source with solar panels in one go. Consider powering the smallest room in your home with solar panels.
This lets you test out the experience for a few months. You’ll see how well solar panels. You can also compare your electricity prices. You’ll find that in most cases, solar power will always be cheaper than traditional electricity sources.
Make sure you also spread the word about solar panels. It’s important that we work together to make the future green. While we need electricity for modern conveniences, we also need to be conscious of the environment.
If you follow the steps in this guide, you’ll have no problem making the switch to solar!
Switch to Solar
Now you know how to choose the best quality solar panels and how they can improve your life.
You must first choose a brand name when buying solar panels. Make sure you also know the manufacturer of the solar panels.
You have to choose solar panels that maintain efficiency. It’s also important that they have a long warranty. Follow our best practices to get the best results from your solar panels.
You’ll feel a spark when you switch to solar. If you need more tips on brightening your life, find our home-related articles on our blog.
