How to Invest in Solar Energy: Technical Tips

Ready to buy a solar system for your home? Investing in solar panels is a long-term plan, nothing like shopping for everyday commodities where you think more about the price. For solar panels, you should know the basic technical aspects of them. Understanding the technicalities will help you get an ideal solar panel system to enjoy all the benefits of solar systems for a long time.

If you want to know “how to get the best from solar panels before buying them, ” take care of these technical points while investing in them.

Technical tips to follow before buying solar panels

1. Consider your roof shape and direction.

The shape and size of your play an essential role in determining what size of solar panel you can install in your home. Consider the size and shape of the space available on your roof to understand what will be an ideal solar panel size. 

The direction roof is facing will also impact what direction your solar panels will face. Thus, determining at what time of the day your solar panels will receive the maximum exposure to sunlight. The north-facing solar panels will get maximum sunlight during noon, while the east and west-facing solar panels will receive maximum sunlight exposure during morning and afternoon, respectively. 

Even though east and west-facing solar panels will generate almost 15% less solar energy than north-facing solar panels, to get optimum efficiency throughout the day, you should install east and west-facing solar panels so you can get solar energy supply throughout the day. You can also keep them all facing one side depending on which time of the day you will do most of the electricity consumption.

2. Consider solar panel angle and shading.

Preferably, your solar panels’ tilt should be angled at the same latitude as your roof to ensure that maximum sunlight reaches the surface of your solar panels. However, if your roof is too steep or straight, you should consult with installers who can calculate the ideal solar panel angle for your home. If your solar panels are not angled properly, you can experience an average loss of 13% to 40% solar energy. The ideal solar panel angle will also be different in various cities in Australia. 

E.g. The ideal solar panel angle for your home in Brisbane will be 24°, but in Sydney, it will be 31°.

Shading is another important criterion you should note before solar panel installation. As the position of the sun changes in the sky, it is possible that an object nearby won’t obstruct sunlight in the morning but only in the afternoon. So you need to check that your solar panels receive sunlight without any obstruction. Some of the objects which can obstruct the path of sunlight from reaching your solar panels are:

• tall trees
• buildings nearby
• chimney, sewer vent, antenna near the panels
• double-peak roofs

Solar panels have advanced technology for shade mitigation, but if you use optimisers/microinverters, ensure that you will get the ROI on them.

3. Evaluate your energy consumption

Every home has unique electricity requirements. So you should check the bills of the last 2-4 years to evaluate your average monthly electricity consumption and plan for the growing energy requirements. Take a closer look at the maximum energy consumption numbers; like in winter, you will need higher solar energy to heat your homes. So your solar system size should be suitable enough to support your current and future electricity requirements.

E.g. A solar panel of 3.96kW is enough to power a home for a couple or small family who need approximately 16kW of energy every day.

Also note that if the electricity consumption in your home at night is a lot, and you want to avoid being dependent on the grid for electricity, you can consider adding a solar battery to your solar system. 

4. Solar panel type and size

There are different types of solar panels, mainly Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. Monocrystalline is the oldest type of solar panel and is very efficient. However, they are slightly expensive too. Polycrystalline solar panels are relatively new and cheaper, but they have low efficiency compared to monocrystalline. 

There is another type of solar panel, the thin film; they were introduced some time back, so the accuracy of their results is debatable. They are affordable and lightweight, although they have a lower solar power output.

Deciding on the ideal solar panel size is also crucial for you before installing them. The standard dimensions of 250 to 340 watts solar panels are 1.70 m x 1.0 m. The exact solar panel dimensions can vary based on the brand and if you want a higher output range.

5. Check solar panel efficiency rate.

While investing in solar panels is important to check their efficiency rate. Usually, the efficiency of solar panels ranges from 12%-21%. Remember, the peak efficiency of solar panels is the maximum electricity they can generate with solar energy. Ask your solar panel suppliers for information on the efficiency rate of the solar panels before buying. 

6. Know the power tolerance and co efficiency of solar panels.

Voltage fluctuations can occur anytime, and your solar systems should be competent to tolerate them without suffering any damage. You should check the power tolerance range and opt for a wider range to avoid damage from voltage fluctuations.

The Coefficient rating shows how efficiently the solar panels perform during different temperatures. A higher coefficiency rating solar panel will perform better in all temperatures.

We hope you now have a better technical understanding of selecting solar panels. Follow all the tips to make the best selection of solar systems for your property. If you still have more doubts, contact our team for more information.