Investing In solar power is a smart financial investment towards green energy. The solar panels account for approximately 60% cost of a solar power system and even more important thing is that you have to live with your decision for a long time , say about 25 years and above. So, Choosing the right solar panels is an important step in creating a long-lasting, money-saving solar system. hence, It's very important to ensure that you buy a good quality solar panel. and we can assist you select a reliable solar panel that best suits your requirement.

Criteria you should use while selecting a solar panel

3 . Roof Area, Capacity & Solar Panel Size

When determining the size of solar panel, it’s important to start by thinking about what your goals are.

• Maximize your return on investment?

• Save as much money as possible?

• Reduce your upfront costs?

Once your goal is clear you can determine how many solar panels and which watt you need to achieve that. Solar panels come in three sizes basically: 36 cells, 60-cell and 72-cell. Larger the size of solar panel w.r.t. generation capacity better is the rooftop utilization. Determine your total energy requirements from past power utility bills and calculate the number of solar panels. You can also add your power backup requirements to this considering the size of your battery.

If you have large usable roof area, you can sacrifice some efficiency and buy larger panels (at a lower cost/panel) to get to your targeted power output. But if your usable roof area is limited, or partially shaded, then using fewer smaller high efficiency solar panels may be the best way to generate more power over the long term, ultimately saving you more money.

You can also consider net metering if you are planning for an on-grid solar power system, as you’re considering figuring out your ROI for your solar system. Net metering is how your utility company credits you for producing excess solar energy and feeding back to the grid.

You can calculate your solar power requirement using this calculator - Calculate now

6 . Solar Panel Features & Performance

The amount of electricity a given solar panel can produce is dependent on several factors like power rating/wattage, power tolerance, efficiency and temperature coefficient. Taken together, these factors will guide you how much power your panel will be able to produce.

Tolerance - Solar panels come with a “tolerance” rating which means the panel with either be below, meet or exceed its “nameplate” rating. This is shown on your panels specification sheet and on the panel itself as a -%/+% number.

For example – an ordinary solar guarantees that it produces 375 watts, but in reality it can only put out 370 watts under standard test conditions (STC). This panel may show a -3%/+3% tolerance. It means, it will either produce 3% less than the mentioned wattage due to production issues but also has the ability, under ideal conditions, to produce 3% over the given wattage.

An A-Grade solar panel such as Bluebird Solar’s 395W module has a tolerance of 0%/+3% which means the panel has only positive power tolerance i.e. it will only produce more than the rated wattage. This is the tolerance, or efficiency rating, you must to look for.

Durability -

1. Should be built with A-grade solar cells.

2. Heavy-duty silver anodized aluminium frame increases the durability of solar panels.

3. Must be PID, Salt mist & ammonia corrosion resistant.

4. AR coated tempered PV grade glass reduces light reflection

5. Panels are kept in outdoor. Hence, your solar panel junction box must be IP67/68 which make solar panel resistant to water and dust ingression.

7 . Certifications & Warranty

You should also be sure that the panels you install are designed to withstand the conditions in your area. Look for panels that meet the IEC 61215, a reliability standard established by the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC). IEC 61215 uses an accelerated outdoor stress test for panels to ensure their durability. In India BIS Certified solar panels like Bluebird Solar stands out as a hallmark of trust.

Solar product warranties are very similar to what you receive whenever you buy consumer goods like iPads, televisions or computers. But with most electronic products, the best you can hope for is about one year of coverage—maybe three years if you buy extended protection. However, PV products warranty work a little differently. solar doesn’t have any moving parts, it is one of the most durable energy generation technologies in the world. Moreover, each component is rigorously tested before shipping to market.

A solar panel has two warranties:

(1) Performance Warranty : Under normal conditions, solar panel output production will degrade to some degree, but it should lose no more than 10-20% over 25 years. Typically, performance drops by one-half to one percent a year.

Typically, A solar panel’s performance warranty will typically guarantee 90% production for 10 years and 80% for 25 years. When panels drop below these figures, the performance warranty will kick in, and you will be able to repair or replace the non-performing solar panel. The company might test your solar panel in their testing facility or get it tested in other third party testing facility and after they are fully satisfied that your solar panel is under performing because of some internal defect in the solar panel they will offer you warranty benefit.

(2) Product warranty : Manufacturing or product warranty protects your product from any manufacturing defects.

• If there is any deterioration in appearance of the product (including any mechanical wear, rust, hot spots, snail trails and other aesthetic defects).

• Damaged frame or glass.

• Loose junction boxes or faulty connectors.

• Bad cells or damaged cell connections

• Defective backsheet.

When Can Company Rule Out Your Warranty?

• If the solar panels are repaired without company's authorization or in any way tampered with.

• If the solar panels are subject to extraordinary salt or chemical exposure.

• If the solar panels are subject to improper installation, application, alteration, unauthorized service, or improper system design which caused constant shading to the Products.

• If the damage to solar panels is subject to power failure or surges, flood, fire, direct or indirect lightning strikes, or other acts of nature.

• If damage is due to accidental breakage, vandalism, explosions, acts of war, or other events outside manufacturers control

• If the solar panels are moved from its original installation location.

• If PV panels are exposed to voltage in excess to the maximum system voltage at the lowest temperature of the place or power surges.

• If the serial number on the solar panel is altered, removed, or made illegible.

What Will Company Provide If You Are Eligible For Warranty?

• Repair the solar module.

• Replace the non-functional solar module with new solar modules whose labelled power wattage’s equal to the Warranted Wattage’s of replaced Products (the Warranted Wattage’s is defined as the contracted power wattage’s of the Products minus the permissible accumulated degradation.).

• Refund the depreciated purchase price paid by the customer for the module as compensation.

Conclusion

The article looked at the important factors to look at before choosing the Solar panels that best suit you.

The important factors to consider are:

• Your goals

• Solar Panel Type

• Solar Panel Grading

• Rooftop area capacity & solar Panel size

• Compatibility with battery & inverter

• Features & performance

• Certifications & warranties

If you are planning to purchase Solar panels, we could assist you in getting the right PV Module that suits your requirements. Contact us for more information.