Are you ready to join the 18 million homeowners who’ve opted to go solar since 2010? There’s no doubt that solar will save you money on electricity, but it can also save you from global warming in years to come.
Unless we drastically reduce the number of carbon emissions generated by fossil-fuel-derived electricity, mankind faces certain extinction. So, home solar panels should be high on our priority list of home improvements, right now.
When you decide to go this route, you’ll find four main types of solar panels to choose from.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels come from silicon wafers carved from a single pure silicon ingot. The smooth, rounded edges and pure composition of these wafers help them produce more electricity, faster.
These residential solar panels cost more than the other types, but you’ll need fewer of them thanks to this high efficiency.
According to Blue Raven Solar company, these black-on-black solar panels are of the highest quality available. They also blend in better with your roof.
Modern Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) panels are an improvement on the standard monocrystalline panel. They have a passivation layer that bounces light and electrons around to improve efficiency by 5%.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline panels comprise silicon wafers, too. However, these consist of tiny pieces of silicon melted and moulded together into a rectangular shape.
They’re not as efficient as monocrystalline panels but cost less to produce and there’s less wastage. This makes them a cheaper option for homeowners, too.
Thin-Film Solar Panels
These lightweight flexible panels comprise one of three different types of materials. These are:
- Amorphous silicon
- Cadmium telluride
- Copper indium gallium selenide
They’re not as efficient as the other two types of panels, but they’re a lot cheaper.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are an obvious choice for generating solar power, but they’re an extremely expensive one. Instead of installing regular PV panels on your home, you can have your entire roof made from solar shingles.
They’re as durable as ordinary asphalt shingles and can withstand even severe weather incidents.
Other Types of Solar Panels
Thanks to modern innovations, solar panel technology is creeping into our everyday lives more than ever before. The latest ones are so tiny they’re woven into a type of fabric, so you can wear them and generate electricity as you go about your day.
Researchers at the University of California have invented a night solar panel that can generate electricity after the sun goes down. It only produces about 25% of the power produced by ordinary PV panels.
A Brighter Future With Solar Power
It’s important to consult with a qualified and reputable solar panel installer when buying solar panels. They can guide you as to the best solar panels for your circumstances.
Whichever types of solar panels suit your needs, a solar installation is a step in the right direction. Clean, renewable energy preserves the Earth’s resources, reduces carbon emissions, and cuts down pollution.
Would you like to discover some more of the best home improvement advice and tips? Keep browsing our blog.
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