The demand for solar panels in India is increasing because solar panels provide renewable energy for your home, which helps the environment and reduces your electricity bill. This makes solar a very good return on investment since most solar panels will produce enough power to offset their initial purchase cost over their lifetime.

Going solar even in India now offers a supreme chance for homeowners as well as business owners to lower their electricity bills permanently by 30-60% with clean energy. Ever-rising electricity rates are the ultimate reason for choosing solar, which has become more than an environmentally friendly move for many households. The users can also reduce their initial investment in solar panels even more through energy credits, tax incentives, and bulk pricing.

But not all panels are similar and at the same time, it matters that what kind of materials a solar panel is made of, what solar inverter it uses, and how the panel mounts to your roof determines what environments it works best.

Now a question arises, how to choose solar panel for home? Before you buy solar panels for your home, research these above-mentioned factors, and decide which option is right for you. So to help you make this important decision (buying best solar panel) with knowledge, accuracy, and confidence, we are publishing this reader-friendly blog that helps to let you know about the top 5 ways to choosing the best solar panels for your home.

1. PICKING A SOLAR PANEL MATERIAL

1. Choose Monocrystalline Solar Panels (the best at converting light to energy because of their high silicon purity) for solar panel efficiency. It is best if you want the highest productivity and solar panel price tag but, known as the most expensive. All solar panels are made of silicon, and the higher the silicon purity, the better your panel will work; this is the reason, monocrystalline solar panels are ideal to use.
2. Choose Polycrystalline Solar Panels if you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly option. Polycrystalline solar panels are manufactured utilizing that silicon material for offering the “greenest” panel option. Polycrystalline solar panels are also cheaper than monocrystalline panels, hence not quite as efficient.
3. Go for Thin-film Solar Panels (a simple solar panel that may need more repairs over the years) for the most budget-friendly option – they are cost-efficient to make and usually the cheapest option. However, thin-film panels degrade faster than other panels. Thin-film panels usually need the most space as compared to mono- or polycrystalline solar panel with the same energy output, and therefore, they are not suited for smaller homes.
4. Buy Amorphous Solar Panels if you have smaller spaces in your building. Amorphous solar panels are a subset of thin-film solar panels and smaller than other thin-film panels. Amorphous panels can reach high levels of efficiency, around twice as high as other thin-film solar panels by “stacking,” which is a process involved multiple layers of amorphous silicon cells. Amorphous solar panels are more expensive than other thin-film panels.

2. PICKING A SOLAR PANEL BRAND

1. Research solar panel manufacturers as there are already many reliable solar panel manufacturers out there. The solar panel industry has nowadays grown a lot therefore, several manufacturers have stepped into the market. On the other hand, many manufacturers offer cheap and low-quality portable solar panels, which may not work for a longer time. So, keep these factors in your mind while buying any panel brand for your home or business.
2. Have a look at Bloomberg’s Tier 1 Solar Panel list as the Bloomberg New Energy Finance publishes a tier 1 list of solar panel manufacturers every year, and that list can enable us to separate the good quality solar panels from the low-quality ones. The BNEF is the world’s leading independent provider of news, data, research, and analysis and helpful for decision-makers in renewable energy, carbon markets, and nuclear power. This platform is the best way to guide many investors on which solar panel manufacturers are good to invest in terms of solar projects.

3. SELECTING A SOLAR INVERTER

1. Choose central inverters, which are the oldest and most common solar inverter type. These inverters are the most reliable option, as they function well in harsh climates.
2. String inverters are the best budget-friendly option when you want to buy the least expensive solar inverter. String inverters are a newer form of central inverters that connect a group of small panels. String inverters are an older technology that works best on houses with a flat roof.
3. Buy power optimizer type of inverters if you want to use your solar panel in partial shade areas or if your home receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight or solar energy with periods of partial shade in-between. This type of solar inverter is fixed into the solar cell, which helps them work in out of the sun locations. Power optimizers are also not able to work in perpetually cloudy environments like all solar panels.
4. Choose microinverters for long-term use as they generally last longer as compared to other solar panel types. Microinverters keep working with a broken panel and they are not like the other inverters, which stop working if a single panel fails. Microinverters are often easiest to install but considered as the most expensive option.

4. DECIDING ON A MOUNTING OPTION

1. Pick a ballasted mount solar panel option if you live in an area with low wind – it is attached to the roof at an angle several feet or meters above the roof. Ballasted mounts are efficient because they receive more direct sunlight/solar power, however, they do not work well in windy climates. Ballasted mount solar systems generally cover the whole roof. Hence its maintenance charge is high.
2. Buy a mechanically-attached mount solar panel for the most secure option as they are attached tightly to the roof at a slight or no angle. Mechanically-attached mounts take up less space and work well in harsh weather because they are mounted to the roof beams. This type of mount is ideal if you need access to your roof often.
3. Pick a hybrid mount (attached to the roof like mechanically-attached mounts but maybe slightly raised or angled like ballasted mounts) for the benefits of ballasted and mechanically-attached mounts. Hybrid mounts are secure on the roof while receiving more direct sunlight like ballasted mounts.
4. Choose a fixed mount option (follow the sun throughout the day) when you’re unable to place your panels on the roof. Fixed mounts can help your system convert more energy if your solar panel is on the ground and receives some shade each day.

5. CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL FACTORS

1. Choosing a solar panel is based on the type of building you live in and it depends on whether you’re using the solar panels in a residential, commercial, or industrial building. Therefore, let the company what kind of building you’re using for installing solar panels so that they can help you find the right option. For example, if you’re buying solar panels for an industrial building, then you may need monocrystalline panels for their efficiency at converting energy.
2. Determine your electrical usage needs before purchasing any solar panel. If your building uses a lot of energy, choose an expensive solar panel that generates more energy may help you save more in the long-term. For example, if your electricity bill is high every month you may choose a monocrystalline solar panel when you have a plan to live in your house for a long time. But then, if you do not use as much electricity, however, a thin-film solar panel may fit your needs.
3. Set a budget before going to shop any solar panel as the cost of a solar panel can add up over time—if you’re not careful, you may end up reckless spending. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and shop around at several different solar panel companies to compare several deals before purchasing a solar panel system.
4. Check to see if you qualify for government rebates when you are buying your preferred solar panels. If your country offers government-issued tax rebates (30-50% off of your net cost in rebates) for solar panel installation, you may be able to reduce the net cost of your solar panel.

Final Say

If you’re not sure what system is best for your climate, visit Solarclue.com or call at +91-7829889111 and ask for recommendations. SolarClue is a well-known brand dealing in a wide range of solar products including panels and providing solar related services. Even you can buy solar panel online through this platform.