What are solar panels and Importance

What is a solar panels?

Solar power and solar energy is probably something new for you. Your country has recently started to promote and pay a good tariff for solar energy produced by the sun and you are wondering what are solar panels either for residential use or commercial.  

SOLAR PANEL  for dummies

Solar panel is a simple electrical device. It is also called solar module or photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel. You are already familiar with the solar
heaters correct? They are the ones that you may have on your roof that use the sun’s energy to warm up your water. Solar panel is a “kind of” solar heater that instead of heating your water, converting the sun’s energy to electricity. Solar panels are for energy generation

You have seen solar panels before and you have used them! Yes, it’s true. The calculator you have on your office desk or at your house haw a small solar panel that enables your calculator to operate, without using batteries!

Solar panels' DNA - what is it in?

It is made mostly of silicon (mono or polysilicon panels) or cadmium telluride cells (thin film panels). These cells in an array are connected electrically to one another so as energy to be able to flow and directed to your grid or your home. Besides that they have different layers in front (e.g glass) and back sheets of the solar cells (e.g. EVA) to protect and increase efficiency of the panels. Nowadays it is considered an “easy” to manufacture component. Having said that, there are companies that have a more dynamic presence in producing more efficient panels.  

Solar panel Importance and Cost

There is big discussion and search by consumers about solar panels, cause they usually contribute from 40% to 60% to the cost of your total system. Of course this may differ from country to country but I would say as an indication (based on my experience on the Greek solar market) that your solar panels manufacturing origin determines the cost as such:

Solar panels made in

US /JAPAN: 55-60% of your total system cost

EU (e.g. Germany-Chex-Spain-Italy, Greece):   50-55%

Asia (e.g. China, Taiwan) : 40-45%

So, a system with similar components but panels may cost you 20% more or 20% less based on the panel origin you will choose. As such a solar system of 10kw may cost 18.000 euro or 24.000 euro! Respectively for a 100Kw system on your park may cost you 180.000 euro to 240.000 euro!

Home solar panels vs Commercial solar panels
In terms of efficiency there is no difference in residential solar panels and commercial solar panels. There are no panels made especially for homes or parks.  It can be poly solar panel, mono solar panel, thin film solar panel of 120w , 150watt, 240,watt, 280watt, 330watt! You can use whatever panel you like given the available area on your roof, tiles, field.

Panel Decision

It is important to choose the right photovoltaic panel for your house or your park. You will have them for decades. And I am not talking about choosing the most efficient panel or the best solar panel but choosing the solar panels that will give you a higher return on your investment. Installing a solar system is an investment. I am not saying that it is the only criterion to choose when installing a solar system, but it is an important one. Therefore be cautious (make sure it is made in x country), search the market, use your calculator and then decide.

 It is a decision that you have to devote time since it is a product/technology you are not familiar with. So make it a wise decision. 

Author: HELIOS