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Which is Advisable, Buying or Renting Your Solar Panels?

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Your specific financial objectives determine your choice on how to finance your sun-based power system.

The primary difference between purchasing and renting a sun-based PV system is in possession. Purchasing a sun-based power system (either by paying directly with cash or paying off a solar system loan) gives you full ownership of the system. The sun based power system is owned by a third party if you rent the system or consent to a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).

This difference affects your sun-based power system’s investment, maintenance cost, terms, savings and degree of profitability. Moreover, not all organizations offer solar renting as well as PPA so do well to ensure that your selected supplier offers the financial option which you desire. Note that PPAs are not lawfully allowed in many zones.

It is best for you to acquire a sun-based power system with money or financing a solar loan purchase if you….
  • Need to maximize the budgetary advantage of introducing a sun-based power system, instead of taking advantage of the ecological  benefits of the system alone;
  • Are qualified through bureaucratic venture charge credit to decrease your government and state charge risk;
  • Are business and you can take advantage of tax cuts by regarding the sun-based power system as a depreciable resource;
  • Need to expand your home’s market estimation by introducing a sun-based power system.
Your best solar alternative is to rent or PPA when you…
  • Are basically interested in taking advantage of the ecological benefits of the system as opposed to maximizing the budgetary advantage of introducing a sun-based power system;
  • Need to stay away from the obligations of upkeep or fixes for sun based power system;
  • Are not qualified by investing in a sun-based power system to decrease your government and state charge risk;
  • Cannot wait till the next year for the budgetary advantage of tax credit.
Carefully analyze: Purchasing VS renting solar

There are a lot of distinctions in the cost, upkeep, terms, financial offset opportunities, and investment savings/returns which all depends on your choice of financing.

Cost of solar installation

Solar rent/PPA
  • A sun-based power system can be gotten for little money or even nothing.
  • Only the third party owner of the system can receive incentives, refunds, and tax credits so you won’t eligible for all those.
solar installation cost
Solar loan/purchase with money
  • Before refunds and incentives, the sun-based power system can cost between $15,000 and $30,000.
  • You can get up to a 50% reduction in the total cost of cash purchase. Majority of the solar installers will deal with the administrative work and modify the price tag to reflect the total cost.

Solar Maintenance

Solar loan/purchase with money
  • You are responsible for the upkeep of the system because the system belongs to you. Solar equipment lasts for a long time and often comes with warranties so there is less upkeep for you to do.
  • Your purchase might not include an application to track your system’s framework execution.
Solar rent/PPA
  • The obligations of upkeep are solely by the solar company because they own the system.
  • Most of the time, you get an application that tracks your system’s framework execution.

Terms

Solar loan
  • Loans are commonly accessible for terms of 10 to 20 years at an interest rate of 3% to 8% provided you have a 640 or higher FICO rating.
Solar rent/PPA
  • Solar rent/PPA is commonly for a period of 20 to 25 years after which you can decide to renew the agreement or buy the system directly.

Investment savings/returns

Solar loan/purchase with money
  • Based on your property as well as the incentives in your zone, you can spare up to 40% to 70% on power cost throughout the lifetime of your sun-based power system.
  • You get free electricity throughout the lifetime of your sun-based power system (which usually ranges from 25 to 30 years).
Solar rent/PPA
  • Based on your property as well as the incentives in your zone, you can spare up to 10% to 30% on power cost.

Before making your decisions on whether to purchase or rent your sun based power system, thoroughly analyze your financing options. Make sure you explore all the available financing options before making your decisions. All scenarios are not the same so there a quite a number of factors to consider to determine what is best for you.

Why Go Solar?

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Since the introduction of solar power into the modern world, many reasons have been generated in support of the idea. Promoters of the ideas have tried to come up with several reasons why we need to go solar. A benefit of going solar that affects us all is that it protects the environment. Because of the carbon emission that is associated with the other sources of electricity, this tends to affect the environment in certain negative ways. The emissions pollute the air, causing climate change and some other environmental diseases. Climate change has been identified to be the cause of many natural disasters such as tsunamis. This is why people and organizations who are concerned about environmental issues embrace the idea of going solar. The electricity that solar panels give is totally free of emission.

Those who are into real estate use the installation of a solar system in the building they are trying to sell as a means to increase the value of the property. Studies have shown that people tend to buy more quickly and pay more for homes that have solar systems installed in them. Another specific benefit of solar system installation offers is that you have the opportunity to be energy independent. With the use of a solar power system, you begin to provide yourself with electricity totally free from any form of electricity bills. This is the most striking aspect of the “going solar” idea.

solar energy

Because of the fact that solar energy is renewable energy, it makes it possible to independently generate electricity over many years for free. Solar energy is gotten from the sun, and the sun is a free gift of nature. No one will bill you for tapping energy or generating electricity from the sun. You are an independent generator of electricity. This brings us to take a look at this major benefit. Should you consider the option over electricity that is generally provided? Which is more expensive: paying electricity bill of paying the cost for solar system installation?

Electric Costs vs. Solar Costs

In considering if you should go for solar electricity generation for your home, there are two major factors that you need to put into consideration. You need to know:

  1. The cost of solar system installation and
  2. The rate of your electricity utility bill.

The decision to go solar can only make sense if the cost associated with the solar system is less than that of the cost you pay for grid electricity.

For solar energy, the cost of solar panels, which is the major cost you will incur when going solar, has proven over time to come down. The cost of solar panels when it was first discovered is not the same as it is today. In the past, many could not afford to make the purchase because of the high cost involved. Today, solar panels have commercial value as a result of the reduction in cost. Many homes now use solar systems since they can afford it.

For electricity, the cost of grid electricity has over the years fluctuated, rising more times than it has fallen. If it has been this way over the last ten years then its only makes sense to predict that in the years ahead, the cost of electricity will keep rising. Therefore, the idea of going solar is a welcome idea.

Key facts about Electric Costs vs. Solar Costs

  1. The rate of retail electricity has fluctuated over the course of 10 years. Statistics show that it went up more times than it came down. This trend is not likely to change over the years ahead as the cost surrounding the production of retail electricity keeps rising. For example, the cost of natural gas has increased and as it does,  the electricity rate will also increase.
  2. When you install a solar system in your home, the cost of electricity in your home will be totally free.
  3. The solar system pays itself off over the years. It is true that it is costly to install a complete solar system in your home. However, since the system has a lifespan of over 25 years, it will pay itself off in about 5 to 10 years after installation. You know this by calculating how much your electricity bill would have been over those years if your home was without the solar system. Therefore, paying the cost of solar system installation is like paying your electricity bill in advance. If you made the installation with a loan, you would eventually pay off the loan in the lifetime of the solar panel.
  4. You save money in the long run with the solar system. This because the cost of solar installation will not be paid in the entire lifespan of the solar system. You will still have some years left after the solar system has paid itself off.

What should you expect after going solar?

  • Your electricity bill will certainly be reduced or entirely go extinct.
  • You might continue to pay stipends over the years to cover the cost of the solar panel if you financed the installation through loans. This means the freedom might not be immediate but you will eventually get to consume electricity for free. It’s only a matter of time.
  • If electricity pricing rates eventually go down, you may temporarily find yourself paying more than you would have if you stayed with retail electricity. Chances are that the price will eventually go back up. Statistics back it up. You, therefore, have nothing to worry about.

The competition between solar and retail electricity is already concluded. Going solar has been and will continue to be a viable choice.

According to the Latest Reports, The Value of a Home Appreciates because of Solar Panels

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According to a recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL), the installation of panels for solar power generation can cause a major appreciation in the value of your property. A report titled “Selling into the Sun: Price Premium Analysis of a Multi-State Dataset of Solar Homes”, says that in California, the homes that have panels for solar energy are more expensive than others that do not.

Is value added to a house because of panels for solar?

Panels for solar power increases home value. If you are considering buying a solar power generating system for use in your home, the information found in the LBL study will show you that a reasonable investment is being made. The LBL study discovered that homes in states including California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and Pennsylvania with solar panels enjoy benefits from a ‘solar premium’ if sold as a result of the willingness of buyers to pay extra for homes with solar panels.

solar power home value

What value does solar power add to homes?

Example: A 5 kilowatt (KW) system of solar (the nation’s average) offers power worth 5,000 watts. LBL declares that each solar watt adds approximately $4 to the value of California homes and approximately $3 for a unit watt in other states. Hence, solar homes ought to be sold for approximately ($4 x 5,000W =) $20,000 higher in California or ($3 x 5,000W =) $15,000 higher outside of California.

Potential buyers who consider whether panels for solar power appreciate the value of homes was pleasantly surprised. The amazing thing about the figures is their closeness to what a brand new solar system can be purchased for today.

Our price analysis of a system of solar of 6KW in California shows many of the more costly systems are above $4/W. And be conscious that you would pay for the cost before taking the magnanimous 30% incentive of federal tax which is available

Cheaper power from solar is your optimal investment in California

The feeds state that the distinction between the California premium panels for solar and non-Californian states is ‘not significant by statistics’: Premiums that are lower may be as a result of “estimates of income and net costs that are lower” that are in other states. In other words, non-Californian states premium deals with installation of solar prices and rates of electricity that are lesser instead because the valuation of solar there are lower.

All these imply that if your house is sold quickly after the installation of a system of solar, most or every of your investment will be recouped while money from your bills of power is saved. This is a confirmation of what we have stated earlier: Power from solar system’s periods of payback is not something of excess concern.

Either the value of your home will be significantly increased by your system of solar if you make the decision to sell your house off, or by itself, it would pay off through the savings of power bills, before moving out. In either case, a good investment is solar.

Other fascinating points in the feeds include:
  • The premium for solar for homes that are newly built was a little bit lower than homes that are older, showing that installations of solar that are retrofit are equivalent to systems that are built into the house.
  • Homes with bigger systems have a smaller $/W premium, showing the possibility of an effect which is known as ‘green cache’. As stated in the report, “Purchasers may be desirous to pay a specific amount for owning a PV system of any size on their homes and increment that is more dependent on the system’s size”.
  • The writers propose that homes which opt for solar via leases or programs of PPA should be future research areas; the recent study scrutinize only homes that have systems that are owner-owned.

The Top 10 Solar Panel Manufacturers in the World

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The process of harnessing solar energy is not just as straightforward as we have sunlight. This is why a lot of research has gone into the development of this technology. Every penny spent in order to achieve this aim is worth it because, as it has been said, there is no need to spend on renewing the source. Once a system of harnessing the power has been gotten, it remains a fixed asset unto us and we need not spend to keep or maintain the source. It is this knowledge that has made those who spent endless to keep spending and funding the research work. Not until recently when it became clear how solar power can be a source of electricity and how it can be mass produced and consumed in mass. Our doubts have now been cleared. Ongoing projects now focus more on the improvement of solar panels and how solar panels can become more efficient and less costly, this is so that a majority can have and make use of it.  Since solar panels are the major component of the solar power system.

solar powered homes

It has been said that the amount of energy the sun produces in an hour is more than enough to supply the world with power for more than a year. If this is true, why not then harness it? Harnessing solar power is not a new concept. However, there has been a great development in recent years that has helped us put solar energy to more use. The solar system built around the generation of electricity is a recent development. It is an advancement in technology.

Solar panels are the major component of the solar power system. In the early stages of the development of solar panels, the cost of getting one was way over the financial capacity of many, making it almost impossible to fully gain commercial value. However, over the years and with consistent research and adequate funding, the cost of solar panels has drastically reduced. The use of solar panels has now become less costly when compared to a traditional electricity source. As a result, many homes have turned to the use of solar energy as a source of power. This in turn, has given rise to the birth of many companies that manufacture solar panels. East Asia has become the hub for the manufacturing of solar panels. Manufacturers build their production plants in a country like China even if raw materials are sourced from some other places.

Does it matter where solar panels are made?

Should the place where a solar panel is manufactured matter in any way? The answer to this question is simple. To someone who wants to go solar, creating a balance between the cost and quality of the solar panel should matter more than where the panel is produced. In other words, it should matter more to you as a homeowner to go solar with efficient, long-lasting and durable solar panels.

What if I am concerned about the country of solar manufacture?

The country of production is definitely important. We all have what we prefer. You may prefer to purchase products manufactured in your country for patriotic reasons or maybe because you trust products made in your country more and this is good. However, it should not be a compromise on quality and cost. Striking the balance between these two should be of more importance. Some solar companies have their headquarters in the States and their production facility is based in another country. This, however, does not change the company’s product quality. In summary, one thing is certain and remains undisputed: there is little or no interrelationship between a company’s country of manufacture and the company’s product quality, which should be the most important factor in your decision-making process.

Solar Home Power System: Tapping the Power of the Sun

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The amount of solar energy the sun offers on an hourly basis is beyond what we can consume in a year. The energy that comes from the sun is important to us in many ways, including providing us with electricity. However, the sun will not automatically power our house. There needs to be a mechanism made available to tap this energy and convert it to electricity that will then power your home. Technology will grow over the years, and the majority of our appliances will be solar powered.

Homes will become independent by producing their own electricity. The exciting aspect is that it will not just stop there. Homes will soon become inter-dependent. This means that homes will begin to supply each other electrical power. The development in net-metering law allows a home to supply electricity to other homes and building if it produces more energy than it can use. This service to others will be rewarded in the form of a credit on your utility. This system gives you retail value for the power that you generate in excess.

Why you should go solar:

There are other benefits you stand to gain from the use of solar energy. Let’s take a look at these other benefits.

  • Going solar is better for the environment: this is one major reason solar energy has become popular. The fact that it is renewable energy which has no harm to society when it is been consumed makes it a welcomed idea. The traditional source of energy like coal and gas emit substances that are harmful to the environment. Solar energy is not in that league.
  • You will save some money on your utility: aside for the cost of purchasing the solar panel, you will not have to pay money for electricity anymore. Since the energy power is from the sun and the sun is a free gift of nature; nobody will charge you for tapping energy from the sun. You have the possibility of providing energy to others in retail value which is another benefit of going solar as explained above.

Now that you know some reasons to why you should go solar, let’s look into how solar energy generating systems work.

Solar power system:

A solar power system is a combination of several solar energy generating components. Components such as the photovoltaic (PV) panels, the DC to AC converter usually an inverter primarily make up a solar power system. There are others such as the energy storage battery, the voltage regulator and so other mini accessories. How all these work to provide you with electricity is that the PV panels, combined in multiples arrays, capture the photons that are generated by the sunlight. These photons are then converted into electrons which will generate the direct current (DC). The inverter receives it and converts it into an alternating current (AC), which powers your home.

pv system

When choosing your solar panel, you need to choose carefully since it’s a major component of the success of solar power generation. There are two major types of solar panels:  polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline panels are sold at lower prices, however, they are sensitive to high temperatures, have a shorter lifespan, and are less space efficient. Mono-crystalline panels are expensive to buy but they are highly efficient, suitable for commercial use, and have a longer lifespan.

Solar Efficiency

The features of solar panels you are to be concerned about are its solar efficiency, the cost, the warranty on it, and technology type. This brings us to the discussion about solar panel manufactures. The current top three solar panel manufacturers are JinkoSolar, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar. However, there have been changes in the last few years which have seen the introduction of some new entrants into the solar manufacturing industries. Also, old solar manufacturing companies are now gaining market. Because of the increase in demand for solar power, companies now can compete.

Solar Power Components

Let’s take a deeper look into the major and minor components that make up a proper solar power generating system.

  • Inverter: this is the system that helps convert the DC to AC which is needed by the homes.
  • Performance Monitoring Device: this device helps to check the health of the system. It will also indicate how much electricity is generated and indicated when there is a change.
  • Storage options: this is in the form of rechargeable batteries which can be installed to help store up energy for future use. In some places, your excess energy is sent to the grid in exchange for credit.
  • Solar panels: this is the most important component of the solar power generating system. It is this component that adsorbs power from the sun. Without it, there will be no solar power generation.

How to choose a Solar Panel

When choosing your solar panel, you need to choose carefully since it’s a major component of the success of solar power generation. There are two major types of solar panels:  polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline panels are sold at lower prices, however, they are sensitive to high temperatures, have a shorter lifespan, and are less space efficient. Mono-crystalline panels are expensive to buy but they are highly efficient, suitable for commercial use, and have a longer lifespan.

The features of solar panels you are to be concerned about are its solar efficiency, the cost, the warranty on it, and technology type. This brings us to the discussion about solar panel manufactures. The current top three solar panel manufacturers are JinkoSolar, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar. However, there have been changes in the last few years which have seen the introduction of some new entrants into the solar manufacturing industries. Also, old solar manufacturing companies are now gaining market. Because of the increase in demand for solar power, companies now can compete.

Choose the Best Solar Manufacturing Company

The question now is, is it a must that the solar company you buy your solar panel from must be one of the top manufacturing companies? It is important you know that the quantity of sales made is the major determining factor for ranking solar manufacturing companies and not necessarily the quality and cost-benefit the customers derive. Therefore, if you are choosing to go for one of the top manufacturing companies, be sure you are not just purchasing from them because they are a top company but also because they offer you quality in exchange for money. Your solar panel is supposed to be effective and last you at least two decades of use.

A Know-It-All’s Lexicon To Solar Energy – Know What The Pro’s Do!

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Some terms that will guide you while using solar energy

Going solar can be made very easy by using tools to calculate your solar saving and comparing quotes of pre-screened solar installers. With all the terminology used in solar energy, shopping for solar can be very confusing. Below is an index of solar energy terminology to help you understand solar terms and comprehend all the available options.

Terms related to Solar Panel.

  • Azimuth: The position your roof faces. We measure azimuth in degrees, the angle between the roof of the house, and the true north is azimuth.
  • Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV): This is also known as a solar shingle. These kinds of solar panels are usually integrated with housing roof tiles instead of placing it on the top of the housing roof.
  • Inverter: This is the part of a solar panel system that changes the electric current into a form which is usable in the home.
  • Kilowatt-hour (kWh): This is the unit for measuring electric current. In 2014, the use of electricity in the average U.S. home was at about 911kWh per month.
  • Off-grid: This is a total disconnection from the electric grid, with no means to connect to utility-generated electricity. Houses that go off grid need to produce most of the electric current on-site.
  • Photovoltaic (PV): A kind of equipment that produces an electric current from sun-lights. Solar panels are photovoltaic equipment.
  • Power rating: This is the theoretical power output that the solar panel produces in its normal conditions. The quality of the solar panel can be rated by the power rating. A lot of solar panels do not have the best possible conditions for more than a few minutes.
  • Solar panel efficiency: It shows how efficiently a solar panel converts sunlight to electric current. The efficiency of most solar panels is about 14-16 percent; the highly rated solar panels are well above 20 percent.
  • Solar-plus-storage: An industrial term used for a solar energy system that involves a battery for storing excess solar energy, unofficially known as solar batteries.
  • Temperature coefficient: This shows how well the solar panel does in high-heat states. High heat does not have a positive effect on the performance of the solar panel just like other electronics.

The Concepts of Solar Pricing and Policy

community solar
  • Community solar: This solar power plant is usually distributed to more than one household, mostly framed as another option to rooftop solar. Also called a solar garden alternatively shared renewable energy plant.
  • Federal investment tax credit (ITC): Normally known as the solar tax credit, the ITC effectively cuts the full price of your solar energy system by 30 percent with a deduction to your federal taxes. It is known as the ultimate monetary incentive for solar in the U.S.
  • Grid Parity: The level at which power produced by solar panels cost less or the same as power from common resources like natural gas. Solar is already a pattern parity in 20 states.
  • Levelized cost of energy (LCOE): This is the cost of each unit of a solar energy system. LCOE is gotten when we divide the out of pocket cost for the system by the calculated total amount of energy the system will create during its lifetime.
  • Net metering: The excess electric current generated by a solar panel is credited to you, then whenever the solar panels do not generate sufficient electricity to meet up the rate of your use. With the net metering, you can efficiently use the electric grid to “save” excess electric current for future use.
  • Property-Accessed Clean Energy (PACE): A unique kind of loan that is paid back through a yearly assessment on your tax belongings bill. PACE financing could be used to connect a solar PV system, alongside other pure energy improvements.
  • Payback period: This is the period of time it takes to pay for the solar energy investment. Seven years is the average time most homeowners are given to pay for the solar investment in the U.S.
  • Performance-based incentive (PBI): This is a monetary reward for solar that pays the homeowner based on the rate of energy generated by the solar system. It is paid based on the rate of electric current produced per kilowatt per hour. A type of PBI is known as the feed-in tariffs.
  • Power purchase agreement (PPA): A binding agreement with the solar company to connect the solar energy to the rooftop of your house, with this solar contract (PPA) you will be paying the solar company per kilowatt-hour amount for the electricity generated by the solar panels.
  • Solar lease: A signed contract by you and the solar company to install the solar panel on the roof. Using a solar lease, when you agree to the contract, you agree to pay a monthly fee to rent the system in exchange for the electric current the solar system gives out.
  • Solar lease escalator: A part of a contract of most leases and PPAs that result in increment or raise in payment rates by a fixed amount per year. A common escalator is 2.9 percent.
  • Solar loan: A credit given by the bank, credit union, or special providers of finance to cover the expenses of buying a solar PV system.
  • Solar renewable energy credit (SREC): SREC is generated alongside every element (unit) of electric current that the solar panel system produces. SREC is sold for more income in some states.
  • Third-party owner (TPO): This lease or PPA, a solar company which is the owner of the solar system. By signing the solar lease or PPA, you agree with the third party owner.
  • Helpful tips to learn more about solar energy terminology and help you understand solar terms and comprehend all the available options.

How Solar Panel Generate Electricity

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    Have you ever wondered how solar panels made of glass placed on your roof generate electrical and heat energy from the rays of the sun? It’s a pretty long process that I will attempt to simplify in this write-up.

     Solar power is used all over the world for energy generation. Over one million homes have a solar system in the U.S. and many more millions all over the world use it, especially in countries where electric supply is still epileptic. Solar energy endeared itself to many environmentalists because it produces a safe, clean and renewable source of energy.

pv system

The Photovoltaic Effect

    A solar system consists of a silicon cell, a metal frame, a glass casing, and wires for current flow. The mechanism of power generation can be explained using the photovoltaic effect.

  1. The silicon cells are photovoltaic in nature; they absorb the radiation from the sun.
  2. The radiation from the sun sets off a series of chemical reactions in which electrons gain momentum and begin to move.
  3. The movement of the electrons leads to energy generation which is captured and transported by the wires in the panel.
  4. The electric current is supplied to the inverter as direct current (DC) and later converted to alternating current (AC) by the inverter.
  5. The electrical energy generated is fed into the electric grid.

    The solar panel comes with a gas casing which protects the silicon cells and gives durability. Under the glass casing is a protective sheet. This sheet increases the durability of the silicon cells and also protects it from humidity and heat which can greatly affect the productivity of the panel. Solar panels have an anti-reflective coating which prevents sun rays from being reflected. This helps to increase the day absorption of the panel.

    The silicon cell is either monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Monocrystalline allows for better electron mobility even though polycrystalline is much more expensive.

Solar panel system and the grid connection

    Your home has a utility meter which measures the amount of electricity consumed in your household. Your solar system can also be connected to this meter and, the energy generated from the solar panel system can be effectively measured by the utility meter. Some homes have a net metering system. This system transfers excess energy produced by your solar power system to the grid in exchange for electricity when your solar power is under producing due to little or no sunshine.

When shopping for your solar panel:
  1. Be sure to explore all of your options. Ask for quotes and cost estimates from as many companies as possible. Pick the most pocket-friendly one.
  2. Smaller companies mostly offer cheaper rates than a large conglomerate. Do not be fixated on patronizing the big names. The small companies may be able to offer quality products at a more affordable rate.

Shopping for your solar panel system can be a bit taxing. Take your time, consider your options, and ask for a solar quotation from different sources. You can also approach your neighbors or friends who have solar panel systems installed to ask for their opinion and reviews.

Are Foreign-Made Solar Panels Any Good? Find Out More

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A lot of questions are often asked by homeowners when making considerations for solar. Most of these questions relate to the manufacturer origin of a solar panel and if it’s a regrettable idea to select Chinese or other foreign-made solar panels for an installation.

This question is a very common one as the recent estimates show that at least 70% of the world’s solar panels are being manufactured by China today – this is a clear and supporting factor that dictates China’s major role in the solar industry globally. China has a substantial impact over global solar vogue such as manufacturing practices, warranties and pricing. For example, improvements in manufacturing costs in China was one of the major reasons for the 80% decline in global solar prices between 2008 and 2013.

Many U.S. homeowners are often skeptical if they should go for Chinese solar panels because of China’s large involvement in solar and if it will meet up with the quality of other top brands. Well, this article will enlighten you more about all you need to know about the Chinese solar panels brand; pricing and quality.

Chinese solar panel manufacturing vs. Chinese solar panel companies

Before we go ahead with making explanations of how Chinese solar panels compare to those made in other countries, it is very crucial to elucidate on what is called “Chinese solar panels”

As earlier explained, close to 70% of all solar panel equipment is made in China. Still, this doesn’t justify that Chinese companies form 70% of all solar manufacturers. Actually, a lot of companies worldwide subcontract their actual manufacturing to China as a result of low costs production.

Therefore, homeowners should reflect on what particular aspect of solar panel production is paramount to them; either if it’s where the company is headquartered, where the solar panel is manufactured or where the components are made. 

Let us take SunPower as an example. SunPower is a premium solar brand that is reputable for its high level of efficiency.  Everyone knows that SunPower is an American company located in San Jose, California. And still, the company now sources most of its production from China, Mexico and the Philippines. The panel itself is made in China and the solar components are mostly Chinese in origin.

Though SunPower is regarded as one of the top solar panels worldwide and an “American company”, the company is selling and distributing panels made elsewhere. Another ironic case is that of the Canadian Solar. The solar panel company which is very famous, has its headquarters in Canada and still, the panels are made in China.

Back to the main matter, if your focus is on procuring the panels with the highest quality, these two cited cases above would make you understand that it’s not a sensible method to indicate the quality of the product based on the country of company’s headquarters.

solar panel manufacturer

Are Chinese solar panels priced lower than other brands?

Solar panel tariff update

Although one can’t categorically make a solid affirmation when it comes to quality or price of solar panels, it is still very safe to say that typical Chinese solar manufacturers don’t price much unlike other brands because of the remarkable cheap cost of production in China. This contrariety between American solar panels and Chinese’s received media attention recently consequential to the bankruptcy of U.S. solar maker Suniva. In the early 2017, Suniva filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and petitioned the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) to place a heavy tariff on solar panels that are imported from China.

In summary, Suniva, which hails from Atlanta, Georgia with production facilities in Michigan and Georgia, insisted that their bankruptcy was as a result of inequitable competition. It claimed that the low prices from other rivals who subcontract to other Asian countries and China made the company fall less in profit.

The Trump administration levied a 30% tariff on solar imports to the United States on January 22nd, 2018. In accordance with a fact sheet published by the U.S. Trade Representative, the tariff is set to last for a duration of four years, and will drop annually by 5%  This means there will be a 15% tariff reduction in 2021.

Are Chinese solar panels lower quality than other manufacturer brands?

The main question of whether solar panels manufactured in China have lesser quality than other manufacturer origins is still left unanswered right? Okay, here is your answer, Chinese panels do NOT have lower quality than other manufacturer brands.

The vast majority of solar manufacturing takes place in Asia. In fact, the top 3 solar panel brands by market share (Trina, SunPower, Yingli Solar) produce their products in China.

In addendum, a diverse quality of solar panels (Economy, Standard, Premium) are manufactured in China and there is no latest complementary relationship between the panel’s quality level and either if it is made in China or in some other place.

For those customers who would rather purchase only an American manufactured panel, two great American manufacturers include Solaria (Freemont, CA) and Mission Solar (San Antonio, TX).

*Note: An All-American, 100% Made-in-the-USA panel does NOT exist. Even the American-based manufacturers use various imported manufactured components in their panels and inverters.

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Why Solar? – These 6 Reasons May Convince You To Go Solar

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There are lots of benefits attached to going solar. Among its numerous advantages, the top reasons why you should consider going solar is energy costs reduction and environmental improvement. A lot of people know fully well that solar is a great option for your home efficiency upgrade as it improves property value.

Whatever could be your reason for going solar, maybe it’s personal, environmental, or economic related, we are presenting you this ample list of solar power benefits.

Relax and prepare your mind as we take you through this top six reasons why you should consider solar energy in your home today.

These 6 reasons should convince you to go Solar

1. Your electric bills get reduced drastically if not completely eliminated.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a homeowner, business, or nonprofit, just your electricity bill could sum up your largest monthly expenses. If you have a solar panel system, you can produce free power for your system’s entire 25+ year life cycle. Solar will help you save a lot of money with a significant reduction in your utility bills either you produce 100 percent of the energy you consume or not.

2. Receive a great return on your investment

One of the best ways to invest is solar. Solar panels aren’t in any form an expense. The returns you get from investing in solar is transcendent to other traditional investments like bonds and stocks.   Average American homeowners can now procure their own solar panel systems by paying off in seven to eight years. Sounds good right? not just that, they also get to receive a minimum of 20 percent ROI. This is all thanks to substantial electricity bill savings.

cost effective solar panels
3. Protection against rising energy costs

With the use of solar panels, you hedge utility prices. This is no doubt one of its laudable benefits. In few years back, residential electricity prices often increase on an average of three percent annually. When you invest in solar now, you have the ability to set your electricity rate and stay protected against unexpected increments in electricity costs. Either you are a homeowner or business with an uncertain cash flow, solar helps you manage your expenses judiciously with a better forecast.

 4. Jobs creation and assist your local economy

In accordance with The Solar Foundation, the solar industry has served as an icon of job creation in the US at an incredibly immense rate by representing 1.2 percent of all jobs in the country. This outgrowth is likely to continue. Jobs that are solar-related pay higher and can’t be outsourced. They are substantial contributors to the United States economy.

5. Increment of property value.

Diverse studies reveal that homes that are furnished with solar energy systems have higher property values which help them sell faster and richly than homes with no solar. A home that is installed with solar gains attraction, consideration and recommendation from appraisers. With the advent of more knowledge about solar, homebuyers are more interested in properties equipped with solar panel systems, thus, increasing the demand rate of such houses.

6. Protect the environment

The best way to reduce your carbon footprint is through solar. 38 percent of all carbon emissions in the United States comes from buildings. This simply illustrates that the number of carbon emissions can reduce significantly when people go solar.

Most Efficient Solar Panels on The Market and All You Need To Know About Solar Panel Efficiency

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If you’re one of those who are seeking for the most efficient solar panels for their solar energy systems, it is very important that you first know how to make a comparison of different manufacturer brands’ efficiency metrics. Solar panel efficiency is one of the most helpful metrics used to ascertain how powerful solar panel from other products.

What you need to know about solar panel efficiency

Solar panel efficiency which is expressed as a percentage determines the ability of a solar panel to convert sunlight into electricity. 

With the same given amount of shining sunlight and equal time duration on the two solar panels with distinct efficiency ratings, the panel which is more efficient will produce more electricity than the other panel which is less efficient.

For example, two solar panels have an equated physical size, one has an efficiency rating of 21% and the other has an efficiency rating of 14%, the panel which has an efficiency rating of 21% will generate 50% more kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity under the same conditions that were given for the panel that has an efficiency rating of 14%. This implies that you need a top-tier solar panel efficiency to maximize your energy use and bill savings.

Solar panel efficiency is the most crucial criterion for a lot of consumers and people in the solar industry when assessing the quality of a solar panel.

Even as much as it’s an important criterion, you should not only consider just that when making your evaluation on the particular solar panel to install. Solar panel efficiency pertains to panel’s ability to convert energy at a low-cost and high supply rate.

These are some of the most efficient solar panels you can get

We present to you four of the most efficient solar panels in the industry. In order of rank in efficiency, they are:

1. SunPower (X21) – 22.2%

2. LG – 21.1%

3. Panasonic (HIT) 20.3%

4. Solaria (XT) – 19.4%

5. Panasonic (TESLA) – 19.4%

Solar panels on the market today with the most efficiency have a rating as high as 22.2%. Nevertheless, the efficiency rating of the majority of panels range from 15% to 17%.

The most efficient solar panels on the market today (2019) have efficiency ratings as high as 22.2%, whereas, the majority of panels range from 15% to 17% efficiency rating.

Efficient solar panel

SunPower panels are reliable for their photovoltaic panel which is one of the most reliable brand name readily available on the marketplace. They feature a greater cost yet its performance as a primitive metric of the rate of interest has actually made it be some customer’s favorite.

Do you care for maximum Production or maximum offset?

If you prefer to take full advantage of the quantity of electrical power that is being generated by your system or you simply intend to buy of the least quantity of electrical energy from the energy, however the readily available quantity of roofing system area to set up solar panels are restricted in size, you might take into consideration mounting photovoltaic panels with greater effectiveness. You will certainly obtain the optimum manufacturing from your photovoltaic panel system when you do this.

Is it about the cost or the value?

If you’re going for more efficient solar panels, rather than their less efficient counterparts, you should prepare for more cost.

We recommend that you do an analysis of whether the upfront cost difference is rationalized by the enhanced savings accomplished by producing more electricity over the lifespan of the system of your solar energy. If you have an Increased electricity production, that means you have to buy less power from your utility.