There are a number of ways to measure the best solar panel system. You could look at the results of a worldwide survey of directors of PV (photovoltaic) installation companies for their preferences. You could look at the different yardsticks by which solar panel efficiency and quality are measured, and do your own homework. Or you could look primarily at your budget!
Probably the easiest is to look at the recommendations of those in the industry. Based on a survey conducted by ENF, the best solar power systems were made by SunPower, in the US, and Schott Solar and SolarWorld in Germany. Sanyo, in Japan, also got a mention for quality.
Of course, your solar power system needs to contain a good quality inverter, and a solar mounting system. Inverters convert energy from solar panels from DC to AC power, a process that is required to use the energy in your appliances. Inverters are important, not least because in some countries they are a factor in the rebate available for the solar system. In these cases, a seemingly small drop in inverter efficiency can cost you hundreds of dollars in rebates.
Inverters vary in efficiency from 89% to 96%. The best are heavy, made with 60 Hz wound copper output transformers.
Mounting racks should not be made by the installer on the job. Nor should they be light pre-made mounting racks. They will probably not withstand high winds or the combined effects of 30 or 40 years of the elements. Medium to heavy duty, professionally made mounting racks are important. And it’s a good idea to check the installation as well, to make sure you’re getting what you paid for.
The best inverters in this survey were from Kaco, in Germany, Outback, in the US, and Mastervolt, also in the US. The companies providing the best solar mounting systems were Direct Power and Water, and UniRac, in the US, and a German company in third.
Of course, that kind of data doesn’t tell you what you need to look out for when shopping for the best solar panel system. Confronted with all sorts of figures and claims by dealers, it helps to have a way to compare the different products out there meaningfully. There’s a great article here that goes into the question in a lot of detail.
One of the fundamental issues to make a decision on when choosing solar panels is whether to choose new technology, or tried and true technology. Away from convincing sales talk, most people prefer tried and true technology. In the case of solar panels, this is a particularly valid choice, given the outdoor extremes these panels will be subjected to, and for the length of time this will happen.
Solar panels should last 30 to 40 years, if they are made from solid ingots of silicon. These types of panels are the most expensive to make, however they also have the highest energy rating. Thin film solar panels are more of an emerging technology, with corresponding question marks on how long the panels will last. In fact, many companies who are developing thin film PV technology have yet to make it to market.
In the long run, thin film PV panels should be cheaper – but they are also less energy efficient, and may not be as durable. On the plus side, thin film panels are very light and flexible, and can be installed in areas that traditional silicon solar panels may not be. They can actually be installed straight on to roof tiling without needing mounts. Thin film panels are made from thin layers of reactive semiconductor material like copper, indium, gallium and selenium.
If all this seems a touch confusing, a great resource is the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for Your Home by Dan Ramsey and David Hughes. It even goes into installing your own solar panel system!
Price may be the determining factor in your solar panel system decision. It’s still important to look for quality, as sometimes manufacturers don’t pass on the savings they make from using cheap parts in building a solar power solution.
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