Investing in a home solar energy system is not only a smart financial investment for many homeowners but will also help to reduce your carbon footprint exponentially. As fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources, they will get exhausted one day. The sun, however, will continue to shine and produce energy for many more years to come. Any residential or commercial establishment that has the right kind of space to install solar panels and receive ample sunlight can make use of this energy. If you depend less on finite energy sources, it will lower the energy prices, reduce pollution and create a secure future where everyone has access to renewable, clean energy. As you evaluate offers from solar companies, there are many different factors to consider – the equipment that you choose for your system, your financing options, and the installer that you select all have an impact on your solar savings. The following article will help you to evaluate the different solar panels and inverters available so that you can make the best choice for a reliable equipment for your home.

There are two main components to a grid-connected solar energy system: the solar panels themselves, which create electricity from sunlight, and the inverter, which converts the electricity into energy that can be used to power the appliances in your home. Most inverters in the market right now also include a monitoring system, which allows you to see how much power you’re generating. Homeowners can also consider incorporating a battery into their system as the technology for batteries develops over time.

A guide to choosing the right solar panels for your home –

• First, it is very important to determine the solar panel efficiency and compare it to industry average of 16-18%
• Second, you should check the solar panel manufacturer warranties against industry average of 10-25 years
• Third, you should compare cost to relative efficiency – efficiency is important, but the most efficient panels aren’t always the best value.

The cost of solar is dropping across the nation. You can get a free solar quote by contacting SunMate Solar.

Evaluating the best solar panel for your home

You can evaluate solar panels based on a few main parameters:

• Production of power
• Durability
• Efficiency

The amount of electricity a certain brand of solar panel can produce depends on several factors, including the power rating, power tolerance, efficiency and temperature coefficient. Taking all these factors into account will help determine how much power your panel will be able to produce.

Another important thing to consider are the indicators of panel manufacturer quality. Start with the warrantees and assurances that the manufacturer offers on their equipment. Like all things, solar panels degrade and become less efficient over time. Many manufacturers will guarantee that the power production of their panels doesn’t fall below a certain threshold over twenty-five years. In addition, many panel manufacturers have a materials warranty in case the panels simply fail. Most economically priced panels have a performance warranty of 25 years and a product warranty averaging out to 15 years.

Most solar panels are very durable, but if you live in an area that has heavy snow or high wind, you should also be sure that the panels you install are designed to withstand the drastic weather conditions in your area. Specifically look for panels that meet the IEC 61215, a reliability standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). IEC 61215 uses an accelerated outdoor stress test for panels to ensure their durability.

While some homeowners may choose to invest in the highest quality, most efficient “premium” panels come with a higher price tag. Going solar is a lot like buying a car: not everyone needs a Lamborghini! On the other hand, if you want to save by buying cheap solar panels, your system may produce less electricity over its lifetime, reducing your overall savings. Depending on your budget, it is wise to invest in a quality solar power system. There are brands available in the market which will function very efficiently without hurting your pockets that much, especially with the availability of good finance options. SunMate solar offers interest free finance, get in touch with a representative to know more.

How to choose the right inverter brand

The inverter functions as the main brain of the solar power system. It is the inverter that converts the solar energy into power that can be used. Solar panels take solar energy and convert it into direct current (DC) power. The inverter’s job is to convert that DC power into the alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used in your home to power your appliances.

There are two general types of inverters:

• String inverters
• Module-level power electronics (MLPEs). Both microinverters and power optimizers are MLPEs.

String inverters are the more cost-efficient option for a solar energy system. If your roof has optimal conditions for production by installing a solar power system, a string inverter is a good choice for your home. When your solar panel system has a string inverter, all of your solar panels feed all of the DC power they produce to a single inverter. The inverter then changes the DC energy to AC power, at which point your solar energy is ready to be used to power your home.

Microinverters and optimisers are generally more expensive, but they can also be more efficient. MLPEs are a good choice if your roof does not have the most ideal conditions for a solar energy system. For example, on roofs which may be slightly shaded or where the solar panels cannot be installed at the best angle, microinverters and optimizers will help maximise the working efficiency of the solar power system. When you use microinverters, each panel has its own inverter to transform the power it creates and feed it to your house. Power optimizers, like microinverters, are also installed on every panel, but power optimizers are paired with a string inverter. The power optimizer “conditions” the energy, making it easier to convert from DC to AC, at which point it is sent to the main inverter.

The importance of choosing the right installer

Once you have done your research and decided on the best brand of panels and inverter for your home, it is time to get the system installed on your roof. Choosing the right solar installer is one of the most important factors of your solar installation. When you choose a solar installer, you should review their certifications, licenses, track record and their reputation in the market.

A great installer, like those who install for SunMate Solar will have their licence from the Clean Energy Council. An advantage of getting your system installed by the Clean Energy Council certified installer is a long workmanship warranty and guaranteed quality installation. A good installer will be an effective partner ready to help you go solar. All of the installers working with SunMate solar have been pre-vetted and meet our standards for all these variables. Whichever installer you use, don’t be afraid to ask questions throughout the installation process.

Get in touch with an agent at SunMate solar today and get a free guided quote for solar for your home.