News

Choosing the best solar panels is a difficult task. Even more so if you’re not familiar with the technology behind what you’re buying. But choosing the right solar panels is an important step in creating a long-lasting, money-saving solar system. First, you’ll need to narrow down your aesthetic, budgetary, and energy production goals. Then, you can filter through all the options and end up with the perfect solar panels.

We want to help you make the right choice for you and your goals based on our experience,you’ve got a few choices to make when choosing your solar panel installation.

1. Panel Type: Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline

Firstly, let’s talk about the first choice of monocrystalline vs polycrystalline. All solar cells are made of silicon, however, the type of silicon varies.There are two main types of solar panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.Which one you choose will impact the overall look of your system, its cost, how much electricity it will produce.

Monocrystalline panels have an overall darker tint to the cells Panels with a higher efficiency mean you can produce more electricity with fewer panels, so your overall system takes up less space. while monocrystalline cells are the most efficient, they can suffer more if the solar panel is partially covered by shade or dirt. Because monocrystalline  is more expensive than polycrystalline solar panels.

Polycrystalline panels have a bluer tint and are typically less efficient than monocrystalline, meaning you’d need a few more panels to generate the same amount of electricity. However, they do often come at a lower price.

For the most part, People who want the highest quality and can afford to pay a bit more opt for monocrystalline. But polycrystalline still does the job, and many people prefer the cheaper option when deciding between monocrystalline vs polycrystalline.

2.solar cell Type: P-Type vs N-Type

A P-type solar cell is built on a positively charged silicon base. We should note that the raw silicon material is the same for n-type and p-type solar panels. The silicon is turned into a wafer which forms the basis of the solar cell. In a p-type solar cell, the base of that wafer is coated (or doped) with boron. Boron has one less electron than silicon, meaning the base is positively charged and attracts negatively charged electrons to it.

The difference between N-type cell and P-type cell lies in the difference of raw material silicon wafer and cell preparation technology.P-type silicon wafers are made of silicon doped with boron and N-type silicon wafers are made of silicon doped with phosphorus. The raw material of P-type battery is P-type silicon wafer, and the main preparation technology includes the traditional Al-BSF (aluminum back field) and the PERC technology emerging in recent years.The raw material of N-type battery is N-type silicon wafer, and the main preparation technology of N includes PERT/PERL, TOPCon, IBC, heterojunction (HJT) .

At present, the mainstream of the PV industry is P-type battery (PERC technology) with simple manufacturing process and lower cost. N-type silicon wafers have a longer minority lifetime and can be made more efficiently, but the manufacturing process is complex and more expensive.However, due to the increased efficiency in n-type solar panels, we can expect to see more of them on the market in future.

3.Panel Color: The Backsheet and Frame

The back of the panel usually comes in two colors: black and white.

Some manufacturers offer solar panels with black backsheets instead of the typical white.Black backsheets create a more uniform-looking panel that blends into darker roofs.It looks more beautiful in the shape design.The disadvantage of black solar panels is that they hold heat,so black backsheets may get hotter than traditional panels, which could slightly reduce the panels’ efficiency.

There are also two options when it comes to the color of the metal frame around the borders of the panels: black and silver. Black frame panels can be more aesthetically appealing but will cost more. Otherwise, there is no difference in performance between the black and silver bezel panels.

4. Solar Panel Size

Solar panels come in  a variety of  sizes: WS550M10-72H  500W Solar Panel have 72-cell ,about a foot longer than 500W Solar Panel(66-cell panels)   .

Their larger size better suited for large, wide-open spaces like commercial roofs and ground mount systems. small size solar panels are typically better suited to fit in tighter spaces, like on the dormer of a home’s roof. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule and will vary from location to location.

5. Panel Production: Output Rating and Efficiency

Both the panel’s output rating and efficiency will impact how much power it can produce.Most of the panels commonly available on the market come in 182mm and 210mm cell sizes, with the 180mm range ranging from 250W to 550W and the 210mm range exceeding 600W. Higher wattage means more power is generated per panel, but that could mean a higher price tag.

In addition, the efficiency of the panel should be considered,The more efficient a solar panel is, the more kilowatt-hours of electricity it will produce per watt of power capacity. For example, let’s compare two 500-watt solar panels: one with an efficiency of 23% and the other with an efficiency of 21%. Higher efficiency under the same conditions will produce higher electricity. So if your electricity bill is high and you have little space to install a solar system, you will need to look for efficient panels.

6. Product Warranty

An important indication of overall panel quality is a robust warranty from the manufacturer. Many high-quality solar panels are guaranteed for 25 to 30 years and can continue working even after their warranty expires.

Start with the warranties and guarantees that manufacturers provide for their equipment. Like all things, solar panels degrade and become less efficient over time. Many manufacturers will guarantee that the electricity produced by their panels will not fall below a certain threshold for 25 years. In addition, many panel manufacturers have material warranties in case the panel fails.

Most solar panels are very durable, but if you live in an area with heavy snow or high winds, you should also make sure the solar panels installed can withstand the conditions in your area. Look for panels that meet the reliability standard IEC 61215 set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). IEC 61215 uses accelerated outdoor pressure tests on panels to ensure their durability.

So, What Are the Best Solar Panels?

With the sheer amount of options available, this process can be overwhelming.It’s crucial to consider all angles when determining which type is the ‘best’ solar panel.That answer changes based on a variety of factors, like your budget, how much electricity you’d like to generate, the space you have to install the system, and what aesthetic concerns you have.N-type solar panels are more efficient, longer-lasting and generally a higher quality option. However, not everyone can afford that.

Previous：【Solar PV System Design :3 】Can every family install a solar PV system?