The Different Types of Solar Panels

We are used to seeing solar panels on the rooftop of a house, glinting in the sunshine, collecting energy and converting it to heat and electricity. What you may not know is that there are different types of solar panels that you can choose from.

Solar panel technology has come a long way in the last few years, driven by our need to provide more renewable energies that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and other less carbon-friendly processes.

Standard Solar Panels

The most popular and easily recognised product on the market, solar panels are usually the first choice for many households. They can be precisely positioned so that they get optimum sunlight and are easily fitted to your roof with brackets (normally made from aluminium). Because they can be placed more accurately, they often yield a much higher return on investment due to greater efficiency.
 
How to Make Your own solar panel free full guide here>>>>


 

Thin Film Solar Panels If you are looking for something lighter to put on your roof then thin film solar panels may be the best option. They take up about 10-15% of the market and require more space than normal solar panels because they are less efficient. The other issue that may need to be considered is that thin film solar panels often contain cadmium telluride which is considered a toxic substance and needs to be disposed of carefully at the end of its lifetime. The main benefit of thin film solar panels is that they are more flexible and can be produced in a range of formats including foldable and rollable. It makes them useful for a wide range of things such as providing electricity for a caravan or tent.


How to Make Your own solar panel free full guide here>>>>

Tempered vs Plate Glass Solar Panels: When choosing solar panels most people tend to think about the power and the efficiency savings before they consider the kind of glass incorporated. The glass, however, is also important. Going for tempered, or strengthened, glass over plate glass can make all the difference to the longevity of your solar panel array. Whilst tempered is more expensive it can offer greater long term savings.


How to Make Your own solar panel free full guide here>>>> 

 
Size and Wattage of Solar Panels A number of things are going to determine the size of your array. First of all, the power that you need for your house or business. Secondly, the size and suitability of your roof. And thirdly, the quality of your solar panels. Whichever you choose, you are going to have a necessary trade-off between affordability and efficiency. For the average domicile in the UK, you will probably need a 3kWh system that will cover an area of 21m². The more efficient the cells in your solar panels the less space you need to cover to provide the power you need. How Do I Find The Right Solar Panels for Me? Choosing the right options can often seem very complicated for the complete beginner. As a rule of thumb, the initial outlay for a solar panels is going to be in the region of £3,000 for a small system to around £8,000 for a larger one. You need to add into that considerations like the feed in tariff and different ways of financing your project.