Since 2014 the average cost of solar panels has gone down almost 70%. If you are thinking about installing solar panels on your home, no time is better than now.
Solar energy is an excellent option for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save a ton of money on their home energy bills. Finding the best solar panels for your home can be tough with all the options out there.
Learn about the different types of solar panels and the best solar panels for your home right here.
Photovoltaic Solar Panels
When it comes to solar panels for homes, the best option is photovoltaics. This is active solar which means that the panels use sunlight to create electricity directly.
This is different from passive solar, which uses the sun’s energy to heat water, warm a house, or run an industrial-scale solar power plant.
That being said, there are a few different kinds of solar panels within the photovoltaic category. Knowing a few things about them will help you decide what is best for your solar panel installation.
Silicon-Based Solar Panels
The vast majority of solar panels available on the market today are silicon-based photovoltaic solar panels. These include both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.
The former is cut from a single crystal of silicon, while the latter is composed of molded silicon. Both use the natural reaction between silicon and light to create electricity.
The way this occurs is also known as the photovoltaic effect, which was first discovered by French physicists Edmund Becquerel in the mid-1800s.
In short, the photovoltaic effect is the reaction that occurs when light causes silicon electrons to move in a fashion that creates an electrical current.
Monocrystalline solar panels tend to have higher costs and also higher energy output/efficiency. Polycrystalline solar panels tend to be cheaper but also less efficient.
Other Types of Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels are made out of other materials besides silicon. The most common material is cadmium telluride, but material composition can vary from panel to panel.
These types of solar panels are very lightweight and portable. They are also moderately priced. The drawback to thin-film solar panels is that they have the lowest electricity output and are not as efficient as other types.
No matter what type of solar panel you are looking for, your best bet is to find a reputable solar company. They can go over all of your options with you and determine what makes the most sense for your installation.
Switch to Solar
With the environment in peril and the economy on the edge, it is time to do your part. The best thing you can do is embrace renewable energy and switch to solar.
The first step in doing this is determining which types of solar panels work best for your home. Next, contact a specialist who can walk you through the installation process.
After you have made the solar switch, make sure to check back with our site for other awesome articles about parenting tips, news, and other vital information for your family.