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Mono Vs. Poly Solar Explained

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solar panel types

The sun has always had the potential to be of solar benefit to mankind.  Ever since humans knew that the sun has energy in it that can be used to our benefits, we have been looking into ways by which this can be achieved. It began in the 17th century when the Greeks and Romans used mirrors to tap energy from the sun in other to light fire. The Chinese were said to participate in this feat as well. Monks were said to design mirror plates for cooking purposes. These mirror plates, facing the sun concentrated the power of the sun toward the cooking utensils. This will produce a certain amount of heat needed to cook. This technology was also used according to history to heat up an oven. This heat was hot enough to melt metals. An innovation that was used for ages and is still been used today is the concept of the sunroom. This is usually a room in the building were huge mirrors windows were positioned to concentrate the sun heat to the room. All of these concepts and methods of tapping solar energy show to us that solar energy can be used for multiple purposes. This spurred the continuous research work along that line.

Types of solar panels:

Many years later, it was discovered that the sun could actually provide us with electricity. This is as a result of the discovery of the Photovoltaic effect (PV effect) which is the production of electricity by placing two metal electrodes in a conducting solution. The idea was then used in the development of selenium. Selenium is the first element used in the production of solar panels. This is because selenium produces electricity when exposed to sunlight. This idea was then used to produce the very first set of solar cells produced from selenium wafers. Today, solar panels are produced out of silicon because it is a very durable element and it is in abundance. The general idea is the same as when selenium was used. Using silicon, the solar panel production endeavor has evolved in so many ways.

We now have the solar panels in two major types which are:

  • Monocrystalline solar panels (mono) and
  • Polycrystalline solar panels (poly)

Solar panels are a modern-day invention which, away from the use of mirrors, is the medium of converting solar energy into electricity. Both the mono and poly solar panels perform the same purpose. They take the sunlight energy and convert a portion of it into electricity. Many solar manufacturers of solar panels produce two types. The difference between the two lies in the way by which the silicon in them is arranged. In the mono panels, the silicon is arranged in bars while in the poly panels, the silicon is melted and arranged into fragments. Both can be a good choice for your home or commercial building. However, there are certain features that differentiate the two types of technology and these can serve as an instrument in making your decision. You, therefore, need to understand these differences before you make your final decision.

Difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels:

The mono panel is usually thought to be the premium solar product. They have higher efficiency and more sleek aesthetics.  They are more efficient than poly solar panels. Though they can be expensive, however, their rate of efficiency covers up for this deficiency. They look black in color. They have the general characteristic of a long lifespan of about 25 years and above.

The poly panels, on the other hand, generally have a lower efficiency than the mono panels. This means that the rate of conversion of sunlight to electricity is low compared to mono panels. They, however, are sold for less. The lifespan for a mono panel stands at 25 years and above. The blue hue is the signature color for poly panels.

Comparing Mono-crystalline and Polycrystalline solar panels:

The question of which of the two are best and which should be chosen remains open. This is because of certain factors that are consequential to choosing any of the two major solar panel designs. Your choice of any of the two should be based on a personal decision, the quantity of space available, and the financing options available to you.

  • Personal choice: two things can influence your personal choice. One is the color of the panel. Since both panels appear differently on the rooftop. Mono panels appear looking black on the roof while poly panels appear looking blue in color. Whichever one you prefer will influence your choice. Secondly, the place where the panel is manufactured matters more for some people. Some prefer panels that are locally made for reasons best known to them.
  • Space available: panels with high-efficiency rate will cover a lesser quantity of space. This is because a single panel is not enough to power your building; you will need to combine panels in multiples. The quantity of electricity you need to power your building will determine the number of panels you need to combine. Using a panel with high-efficiency rate means you will need a fewer numbers of panels to reach electricity generation goals. You will need more panels that have a lower-efficiency rate. The number of panels you need to combine will translate to the quantity of space you need. If you have limited space then you might want to consider using panels with a high-efficiency rating.
  • Financing options: the cost of installing a solar system can be expensive. This is because of the cost of solar panels. And, you have to purchase them in multiple numbers depending on what you need. If you have enough financial capacity or financial support, you might want to go for the mono panel which is more expensive. Otherwise, you will have to go to the poly panels. But remember, poly panels are less efficient which means, given the same condition, you need to combine them in more numbers than mono panels in other to make up the lack in efficiency.

It is recommended that you explore your options with both the mono and poly panels in other to make the most appropriate decision.

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.

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.

List of American-Made Solar Panels and the Solar Panel Manufacturer

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An announcement was made by the Trump administration on the 22 of January to place 30% tariff on photovoltaic panels and cells brought into the States. As a result of the announcement, lots of concerns were elevated about the solar marketplace. One of the major concerns raised was where one can discover American made solar panels.

A lot of the solar jobs in the United States take advantage of imported solar panels, but there are additionally numerous U.S. producers. Some of the making firm’s headquarters are not positioned in the United States. Below are some solar companies that manufacture all or the majority of the solar panels in the U.S.

Manufacturers of photovoltaic panels in the U.S. (2019 )

photovolataic panels
  • Tesla/Panasonic- at Buffalo, NY (U.S. manufacturing center).
  • SolarWorld Americas at Hillsboro, OR.
  • Silfab Solar at Bellingham, WA (U.S. manufacturing facility).
  • SolarTech Universal at Riviera Beach, FL.
  • Mission Solar at San Antonio, TX.
  • Seraphim at Jackson, MS (U.S. headquarters).
  • Solaria at Fremont, CA (U.S. head office).
  • Heliene at Mountain Iron, MN (U.S. production facility).

Various other remarkable solar panel business:

  • SunPower at San Jose, CA.
  • Solar Electric America at Richmond, VA.
  • SolSuntech at Virginia.
  • Prism Solar at Highland, NY.
  • MiaSolé at Sunnyvale, CA.
  • First Solar at Perrysburg, OH.
  • JinkoSolar at Jacksonville, FL.
  • Hanwha Q CELLS at Dalton, GA.
  • GreenBrilliance at Baltimore, MD.
  • LG Solar USA at Huntsville, AL.
  • Lumos Solar at San Jose, CA.
  • Auxin Solar at San Jose, CA.
  • Global Solar at Tucson, AZ.
  • CSUN at McClellan Park, CA.
  • CertainTeed Solar at San Jose, CA.

Two points should be kept in mind concerning the listing of the American manufacturing solar panel business over.

First, these companies collect some or every one of the parts of the solar panel and generate the key elements from other nations. All the components that are imported are typically positioned under the solar toll, though the very first 2.5 gigawatts (GW) are omitted from the solar toll for every year. (For even more understanding, the U.S. linked 12GW of solar in 2017, for which a calculated value of 2.5 GW solar panel was made in the U.S.).

Secondly, the checklist of all the business’s headquarters above is not totally located in the United States. For instance, Heliene has its headquarters somewhere else. Some like SolarWorld Americas are subsidiaries to worldwide producers. However, they will create a lot of their solar panels in the United States.

Check out for additional information on some business associated with making photovoltaic panels in America.
SolarWorld Americas and Suniva.

Update January 2019: Suniva declared bankruptcy in 2018 and also is presently going through procedures.

These two recognized firms, though on the list have been seen a current of late asking the U.S. government to reassess the levy placed on global photovoltaic panel companies.

There is a disagreement in the solar panel market relating to the tariff and if it will help the manufacturing of the solar sector in the long run. Some anticipate an unfavorable impact on the solar market in the U.S. due to the rise in the cost of manufacturing. The Association of Solar Energy Industry calculates that there will certainly be a loss of jobs in solar panel setup field and also a great rise in tasks in the generating industry.

In the short term, SolarWorld introduced they will certainly be boosting the degree of solar panel manufacturing in the U.S. Suniva did not make any kind of public news on the strategies.

You can experience the testimonials on SolarWorld and Suniva for a much better understanding of their solar panels.
Heliene Solar.

Heliene lies in Sault St.Marie, Ontario, Canada, and the majority of the solar panels are produced there. Heliene also has a production center in Minnesota. Heliene solar panels are appropriate for the made in Minnesota solar reward program, which provides financial value to Minnesota solar panel proprietors that connect the photovoltaic panels in the created state.

After the White House news of the solar toll, Heliene stated that it was buying a fresh line of devices at the facility in Minnesota.

Mission Solar.

Mission solar is a San Antonio, Texas-based solar company where the setting up, making and engineering of solar panels is done. They are additionally associated with the production of large-and-small- range solar panel projects.

Like a lot of sectors on the listing, Mission Solar said that they will be boosting production in 2018, though their strategies have actually been in production considering that 2017 because of boosted production and also not as an item of the profession case.

Seraphim.

Seraphim Solar USA is the U.S. possessed partner of Seraphim Energy Group, which is based in China. Seraphim Solar USA produces all of its photovoltaic panels in the United States at its industrial structure in Jackson, Mississippi.

Silfab Solar.

In 2018, Silfar Solar got the U.S. panel producer Item Energy. Silfab Solar makes modules in Washington State as well as Toronto, Canada.

For further information worrying the business’s items, red the complete Silfab Solar review.

Solaria.

Soloria is a U.S. based business that produces solar panels both in South Korea as well as Fremont, California. Soloria proclaimed that they had actually allocated $23 million to extend producing capacities at the beginning of January 2018.

Read even more details on the business’s items on Soloria review.

SolarTech Universal.

This photovoltaic panel generating firm is based in Riviera Beach, Florida. The company anticipates a great influence on business as a result of the toll and likewise considers that over time the gains will certainly be exceeded by the costs or purchases.

SunSpark Technology.

Sunspark Technology is a Californian business found in Riverside, California. Its founding company is positioned in China. Sunshark has actually not made a general discuss the tariff.

Tesla/Panasonic.

Tesla Energy has actually partnered with Panasonic to produce solar panels in the United States at the Tesla Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, New York. At the beginning of January 2018, the company openly revealed that the production of solar cells had commenced at the center for both Tesla solar roof covering and Panasonic photovoltaic panels.

Panasonic creates all of its photovoltaic panels overseas; they have actually not been able to satisfy the demand of Tesla’s energy. Both companies anticipate boosting production in the coming year. Although Tesla discussed the toll in 2017 however also restated its commitment to the U.S. government after the tariff start was made.

List of American-Made Solar Panels and the Solar Panel Manufacturer

Posted on by admin

An announcement was made by the Trump administration on the 22 of January to place 30% tariff on photovoltaic panels and cells brought into the States. As a result of the announcement, lots of concerns were elevated about the solar marketplace. One of the major concerns raised was where one can discover American made solar panels.

A lot of the solar jobs in the United States take advantage of imported solar panels, but there are additionally numerous U.S. producers. Some of the making firm’s headquarters are not positioned in the United States. Below are some solar companies that manufacture all or the majority of the solar panels in the U.S.

Manufacturers of photovoltaic panels in the U.S. (2019 )

photovolataic panels
  • Tesla/Panasonic- at Buffalo, NY (U.S. manufacturing center).
  • SolarWorld Americas at Hillsboro, OR.
  • Silfab Solar at Bellingham, WA (U.S. manufacturing facility).
  • SolarTech Universal at Riviera Beach, FL.
  • Mission Solar at San Antonio, TX.
  • Seraphim at Jackson, MS (U.S. headquarters).
  • Solaria at Fremont, CA (U.S. head office).
  • Heliene at Mountain Iron, MN (U.S. production facility).

Various other remarkable solar panel business:

  • SunPower at San Jose, CA.
  • Solar Electric America at Richmond, VA.
  • SolSuntech at Virginia.
  • Prism Solar at Highland, NY.
  • MiaSolé at Sunnyvale, CA.
  • First Solar at Perrysburg, OH.
  • JinkoSolar at Jacksonville, FL.
  • Hanwha Q CELLS at Dalton, GA.
  • GreenBrilliance at Baltimore, MD.
  • LG Solar USA at Huntsville, AL.
  • Lumos Solar at San Jose, CA.
  • Auxin Solar at San Jose, CA.
  • Global Solar at Tucson, AZ.
  • CSUN at McClellan Park, CA.
  • CertainTeed Solar at San Jose, CA.

Two points should be kept in mind concerning the listing of the American manufacturing solar panel business over.

First, these companies collect some or every one of the parts of the solar panel and generate the key elements from other nations. All the components that are imported are typically positioned under the solar toll, though the very first 2.5 gigawatts (GW) are omitted from the solar toll for every year. (For even more understanding, the U.S. linked 12GW of solar in 2017, for which a calculated value of 2.5 GW solar panel was made in the U.S.).

Secondly, the checklist of all the business’s headquarters above is not totally located in the United States. For instance, Heliene has its headquarters somewhere else. Some like SolarWorld Americas are subsidiaries to worldwide producers. However, they will create a lot of their solar panels in the United States.

Check out for additional information on some business associated with making photovoltaic panels in America.
SolarWorld Americas and Suniva.

Update January 2019: Suniva declared bankruptcy in 2018 and also is presently going through procedures.

These two recognized firms, though on the list have been seen a current of late asking the U.S. government to reassess the levy placed on global photovoltaic panel companies.

There is a disagreement in the solar panel market relating to the tariff and if it will help the manufacturing of the solar sector in the long run. Some anticipate an unfavorable impact on the solar market in the U.S. due to the rise in the cost of manufacturing. The Association of Solar Energy Industry calculates that there will certainly be a loss of jobs in solar panel setup field and also a great rise in tasks in the generating industry.

In the short term, SolarWorld introduced they will certainly be boosting the degree of solar panel manufacturing in the U.S. Suniva did not make any kind of public news on the strategies.

You can experience the testimonials on SolarWorld and Suniva for a much better understanding of their solar panels.
Heliene Solar.

Heliene lies in Sault St.Marie, Ontario, Canada, and the majority of the solar panels are produced there. Heliene also has a production center in Minnesota. Heliene solar panels are appropriate for the made in Minnesota solar reward program, which provides financial value to Minnesota solar panel proprietors that connect the photovoltaic panels in the created state.

After the White House news of the solar toll, Heliene stated that it was buying a fresh line of devices at the facility in Minnesota.

Mission Solar.

Mission solar is a San Antonio, Texas-based solar company where the setting up, making and engineering of solar panels is done. They are additionally associated with the production of large-and-small- range solar panel projects.

Like a lot of sectors on the listing, Mission Solar said that they will be boosting production in 2018, though their strategies have actually been in production considering that 2017 because of boosted production and also not as an item of the profession case.

Seraphim.

Seraphim Solar USA is the U.S. possessed partner of Seraphim Energy Group, which is based in China. Seraphim Solar USA produces all of its photovoltaic panels in the United States at its industrial structure in Jackson, Mississippi.

Silfab Solar.

In 2018, Silfar Solar got the U.S. panel producer Item Energy. Silfab Solar makes modules in Washington State as well as Toronto, Canada.

For further information worrying the business’s items, red the complete Silfab Solar review.

Solaria.

Soloria is a U.S. based business that produces solar panels both in South Korea as well as Fremont, California. Soloria proclaimed that they had actually allocated $23 million to extend producing capacities at the beginning of January 2018.

Read even more details on the business’s items on Soloria review.

SolarTech Universal.

This photovoltaic panel generating firm is based in Riviera Beach, Florida. The company anticipates a great influence on business as a result of the toll and likewise considers that over time the gains will certainly be exceeded by the costs or purchases.

SunSpark Technology.

Sunspark Technology is a Californian business found in Riverside, California. Its founding company is positioned in China. Sunshark has actually not made a general discuss the tariff.

Tesla/Panasonic.

Tesla Energy has actually partnered with Panasonic to produce solar panels in the United States at the Tesla Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, New York. At the beginning of January 2018, the company openly revealed that the production of solar cells had commenced at the center for both Tesla solar roof covering and Panasonic photovoltaic panels.

Panasonic creates all of its photovoltaic panels overseas; they have actually not been able to satisfy the demand of Tesla’s energy. Both companies anticipate boosting production in the coming year. Although Tesla discussed the toll in 2017 however also restated its commitment to the U.S. government after the tariff start was made.

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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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.