The Solar Panel Buyers Guide
Each year society takes steps toward making our world greener opting for more sustainable consumer and energy options. This can be seen with the simple transition to paper straws or removing plastic bags from super markets. One of the most sought after sustainable energy options in modern times is solar panels. Solar panels are a great option to cut down your energy use by utilizing the suns energy instead. Understanding that you want a solar panel is the easy part, shopping for one is where it gets hard. There are multiple brands, models and sizes making the shopping process pretty overwhelming. But not to worry, that is where we come in!
Our buyers guide aims to provide you with the perfect amount of knowledge and preparation so that you can begin your solar panel shopping journey in the right direction!
Why do you want a new solar panel?
This may sound like a dumb question at first, but believe it or not, this is actually a very important question to ask yourself before you begin your shopping journey. For instance if you are purchasing a solar panel for at home, casual use, you will be shopping for a significantly different product than someone who needs solar panels to power an entire business establishment for multiple hours per day. Understanding your “why” well set you on the right foot as you begin your solar panel shopping journey!
Types of solar panels
There are various types of solar panels available on the market, which can make the process of shopping for one a bit daunting. We will not discuss the in depth details of each type of solar panel as that is beyond the scope of our buyers guide, however, we strongly recommend that you do your own research on each type mentioned below before you head out shopping.
Some of the most popular types of solar panels on the market include: Thin-Film Solar Panels, Polycrystalline Solar Panels and Monocrystalline Solar Panels.
Brand
Another important thing you should consider before shopping for your brand new solar panel is the brand name.
When shopping for solar panels it is absolutely essential to consider the brand you are purchasing. Reputable, well-known brand names provide an extra layer of assurance that the product you are buying is high quality, durable, efficient and has the greatest chance at longevity.
Opting for cheaper, less known brands is highly discouraged as they come with a plethora of potential pitfalls that make them not worth your investment at all. Bigger, well-known brand names provide better durability, longevity, energy efficiency and better warranties making them well worth the price you pay.
Some of the most reliable solar panel brands include: SunPower, JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, Trina Solar, First Solar, ADT Solar and Hanwha Q CELLS.
Budget
Another key aspect to consider before you begin your solar power shopping journey is budget. Preparing a budget for beforehand helps narrow down your options more than you can imagine!
Preparing a budget immediately reduces your overall amount of choices, cutting your chances of developing choice paralysis and making the process of making a choice much simpler and the shopping process more enjoyable.
Quality solar panels tend to vary widely in price depending on the size, brand and type so if you do not set limits for yourself beforehand, you may find yourself engaging with too many options, making the experience overwhelming.
Remember to keep brand names in mind when you begin preparing your budget!
Other considerations
There are a bit more things to consider when shopping for your new solar panel, however, they do not merit a category of their own. Just be sure to evaluate your individual needs to ensure they align with the new solar panel of your choice.
Some other important considerations when shopping for a new solar panel include: installation capabilities, available space, product warranty, overall aesthetics, necessary product maintenance, energy efficiency, potential government incentives and financing for your product.
Final thoughts
We understand that looking for a brand new solar panel can be a daunting task. There are multiple types, brands, models and sizes making it difficult to select the one that’s perfect for you and your specific needs.
We hope you take into account the brand name and the importance of buying well-known names for energy efficiency and longevity while going through your shopping journey.
Remember to evaluate your specific needs and to consider the size of the area you plan to supply power to so that you can select a size and type that match your exact needs.
Do not forget to also organize a budget for yourself before you begin shopping! It will make the shopping process easier and more enjoyable.
Following our buyers guide will guide you with just the right amount of education and preparation to find the perfect solar panel for you!
We have also went out of our way to create a comprehensive list of the 8 Solar Panels You Should Consider Buying Before Any Others.
We took into consideration all of the factors we discussed in our buyers guide so that our readers can get the best bang for their buck!
Happy Shopping!