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What to Consider When Shopping for Solar Panels

Reviewed By Alfred Poindexter

As solar technology advances, it gets more affordable — especially with current government incentives bringing the cost down.  Power Wizard can help you shop for solar and enhance your savings by finding you an electricity plan that best suits your needs and doesn’t include any hidden fees.

But, since solar technology is new, choosing your solar energy system can be confusing. Learn how solar energy systems work and what to consider when you buy one.

How Solar Panels Work

Solar panels are a collection of many photovoltaic (PV) cells that absorb energy from sunlight. This energy knocks loose free electrons that form an energy flow in response to the cell’s internal electric field, generating an electric current that can power your home.

In residential areas, you may see them on roofs to maximize sun exposure and minimize shade.

They can work during cloudy days, though not at night. Instead, you can set up a battery to store surplus energy during the day and release it to power your home at night.

What to Consider When Shopping for Solar Energy Systems

The most important factors in weighing your solar panel options are the cost and the savings the system will provide. Consider the following.

Upfront Cost and Manufacturers Warranty

As with any investment, your budget heavily influences the solar energy system you buy. On average, solar panels cost around $16,000, though depending on the type and model they can range from $3,500 to $35,000.

Types of solar panels you might consider are:

Look at the warranty to estimate the panel’s lifespan. A standard warranty should offer at least 10 years of protection. Solar panels come with two types of warranties:

Solar companies also may offer labor and service warranties to cover the labor in swapping out the panel module. These usually last between three and 10 years.

Average Energy Consumption and Financial Incentives

To figure out if a solar energy system will help you save on your energy bill, determine your average energy consumption for the last year. The energy production of an average solar panel is 170 to 350 watts per hour. Some factors that affect this include:

Compare your average energy consumption with each system’s estimated energy output to learn if it will save you money. To keep your electricity costs as low as possible, become a Power Wizard member and find the plan that best fits your energy needs.

Financial incentives can also help you shop for solar system. Since governments are encouraging people to adopt clean energy, there are many solar incentives available right now, including:

Solar Panel Efficiency and the Return on Investment

Panels generally process 15% to 22% of solar energy into usable electrical energy. The efficiency of your solar panel depends on a few factors:

Weather conditions through the year, like snow and wind, can also affect efficiency by damaging the panels. Make sure your panels have undergone extensive testing under extreme conditions, because these could affect your return on investment (ROI).

The ROI for solar panels is usually positive, especially since incentives ease the system’s initial cost. In the United States, the average ROI on solar panels is around 10%, though it varies depending on where you live and your home.

You can calculate your ROI for different solar panels by weighing your net installation cost after one-time incentives against your expected electricity bill savings and ongoing incentives. If that seems complicated, many websites also offer solar ROI calculators. To maximize ROI, use Power Wizard to save in additional costs your power company may be charging you.

Types of Solar Technology

When you shop for solar, there are three types of PV solar panels you may buy.

Thin-Film Solar Panels

Thin-film panels are a new technology that are great for houses with shading issues and a lot of available space. They’re easy to mass-produce and work well in high temperatures and shade. If necessary, they can also be flexible.

But they take up the most space, and they tend to degrade faster than the other two options, so they’re not as useful for many residential situations.

Polycrystalline Panels

These are simple to make and low-cost, and they work better in higher temperatures than the other two options. However, their efficiency is lower, at only around 14% to 16%, and they still require a large space.

Monocrystalline Panels

As the oldest and most developed PV technology, monocrystalline panels are the most energy-efficient and have a long lifespan. They also take up less space than thin-film solar panels, making them more useful for residents, and they’re generally more efficient in warm weather.

Battery Backup

A battery backup stores solar power so your system will stay online whether the power grid is up or down. If you live in an area with an unreliable grid, you should include a battery backup in your system to have power at all times.

How to Choose Which Option Is Best for Your Energy Needs

To get the most savings from your solar panels in Texas and find the best solar energy system plan for you, become a Power Wizard member. With this membership, you can save hundreds on your electricity bill and be helped when shopping for solar panels. Texans have overpaid more than an estimated $28 billion on electricity in the last 20 years in hidden additional fees. Don’t let your switch to solar energy come with a plan that adds to that. Reach out to Power Wizard today to learn more.

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