How Much Do Solar Panels Cost, Really?

You must have wondered at some point, just how much do solar panels cost, really? Of course, the definite talk is that they are literally very expensive, initially. A lot of specialized engineering and materials go into the manufacturing of each photovoltaic or Pv cells, resulting in high output outlays and thus, high prices. This has always been true, and with new interest in alternative sources of energy, higher inquire for this type of technology has also made the price of materials higher. This has also increased the need to know just how much can solar panels set back one's home correction budget.

However, sun-powered electricity has not yet been suitable broadly by the mainstream, meaning that the technologies complex in creation of panels have not yet been optimized, and are not being optimized as fast as they could be. This also means that there are only a small number of clubs who are active in the market, and without much competition, prices will tend to remain high. All of these reasons and factors lead to manufacture the prices of commercially available power systems, especially those with high power outputs, quite exorbitant.

Solar Panel Home

How much does each solar panel cost? Roughly, a singular one capable of producing 4.5 amperes of current would sell for three hundred dollars, at sale price. Apart from the panel, a complete harnessing setup would also include regulators, brackets, meters, and wiring, which would add a combine of hundred dollars to the total bill. Thus, a one-panel ideas can be estimated to cost at least four to five hundred dollars outright. That is undeniably a big number of money, and this is exactly the major imagine preventing greater acceptance and implementation of power.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost, Really?

However, in new months, new innovations by Diy enthusiasts have managed to bring down the capital outlay for do-it-yourself solar panels. For less than 0, you can literally create a standalone power ideas using photovoltaic cells.

So, how much do solar panels cost? It depends on either you are going the commercial or do-it-yourself route. Well, in the case of commercial setups, they cost in the hundreds and thousands of dollars for relatively small setups. If you intend to power your whole household using a commercial power system, it can literally set you back by 000 to 000 as a ballpark figure. But prolonged interest and research in the field is sure to make it more affordable in the near future. As for the homemade version, you probably need to spend at most 00 to 00 and get your whole house powered by the sun.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost, Really?

Solar Panel Glass - Tempered Vs Plate

When shopping for a solar panel brand, the issues at the forefront of people's minds are normally topics such as efficiency and wattage. An often overlooked issue is glass - and the type of glass used on a solar panel literally does matter.

When you buy a solar panel, it's a long term investment - it should serve you well for decades. While most manufacturers offer lengthy warranties, some up to 25 years, it's prominent to note the maker needs to be nearby to honour it. There's still many fly-by-nighters in the solar panel industry, cutting prices by cutting corners on component quality.

Solar Panel Home

While a warranty from a solid enterprise is a great insurance policy, there's also the inconvenience of needing to make a warranty claim - pulling the panels down, taking them in - it's all very disruptive and stressful. It's best to have peace of mind from the outset and you can only have that if every part of the panel is of the top possible quality.

Solar Panel Glass - Tempered Vs Plate

The dangers of cheap solar panel glass

Cheap glass can cloud over time. Clouded glass greatly reduces solar panel efficiency. Broken glass, aside from being a general safety issue and even if the glass only cracks, can allow water to drill and originate a fire hazard - water and electricity plainly do not mix.

When selecting either a monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous solar panel, be sure to check out the type of glass being used. Look for panels that utilize tempered glass - this should be clearly stated in the panel specifications.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass, also known as safety glass or toughened glass, is anyone up to six times the power of general plate glass. It is created by thermal or chemical means. We've witnessed panels using tempered glass flip over onto rock strewn ground with some force without breaking.. This is something we obviously do not advise trying out, but it goes to show how strong the material is. When tempered glass does break, it shatters into small pieces rather than creating long and razor sharp shards.

Flat plate glass in solar panels

This is most often found in economy brands of monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels made by small, relatively unknown companies; however it can also be found in well known brands in amorphous (thin film) solar panels that have a glass plate component.

Most amorphous panels can only use flat plate glass due to the way they are constructed. Amorphous panels are normally created by applying special silicon rich gas called silane at high temperatures directly to the back of a glass plate or to a steel plate. Some manufacturers get nearby the comparative frailness by using thicker flat plate glass, but this is still not as strong as using white tempered glass.

When buying solar panels, don't forget that this is an prominent point to check on - as mentioned, it should be clearly stated on the goods specifications as to the type of glass used as it's an prominent feature. If it doesn't, the chances are it's flat plate glass and should probably be avoided.

Solar Panel Glass - Tempered Vs Plate