As technology develops, the use of energy increases with it. Using these great amounts of energy isn’t very friendly to our planet, so more and more homeowners have been turning to solar power. Installing solar panels on your roof has many benefits, including increasing your home’s value, saving you thousands of dollars, helping the environment, and more.
If you are considering purchasing a solar power system, use a professional like Prospect Solar in Northern Virginia to help you determine which type of solar panel would be best for your home, as well as install them on your roof for you.
Here are the three types of solar panels and how to choose the right one for your home:
- Monocrystalline Solar Panels
The technology in monocrystalline solar panels are what started it all. These panels are made out of high-quality silicon, making them the most efficient panels. They can also function better in low-light conditions than other types of panels. However, because of their high-performance rates, they are on the more expensive side, and they produce the most waste during their manufacturing. An entire monocrystalline panel circuit can break down if it is obstructed by things such as shade, dirt, and snow, so consider the location of your home and the weather conditions throughout the year where you live to decide if it’s worth the expense when you are thinking of getting this kind of solar panel.
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are also made out of silicon but use a different manufacturing process that has a lower cost and produces less waste. While their performance rates are lower than monocrystalline panels, they are still relatively high. Unlike other panels, they don’t perform as well in high-heat and low-light conditions, which may shorten their life span in the long run. They also take up more space than the other two types of panels, so consider the size of your roof if you are leaning towards this type of solar panel for your home.
- Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels are pretty different than the other two above. They are not made of silicon and use a layering method to manufacture, which is way more simple than monocrystalline and polycrystalline panel production. While they are cheaper, more visually appealing, and efficient in high-heat and low-light conditions, they have the lowest performance rates of these three types of solar panels. They can also degrade over a shorter period of time and require much larger spaces than the other two, so they are typically not used for residential purposes.
Which Panel is Best for Your Home?
- Monocrystalline panels work best for a home with limited roof space in extreme and adverse weather conditions.
- Polycrystalline panels are best for homeowners looking to save some money and be friendly to the environment. Although they have lower performance rates than monocrystalline panels, they’ll be able to produce energy quicker.
- Thin-film are not used on roofs, but on large, open fields or other spaces. They’re also for customers who may have a tight budget.
Help the Planet with Our Quality Solar Panel Installation in Northern Virginia!
Our goal is to be environmentally friendly and help you save money. Here at Prospect Solar, we serve those in Virginia, DC, and Maryland who are looking to do both. With our experienced professionals, we can help you choose the right solar panel for your home so you get the best deal and don’t have to leave a big carbon footprint.
Contact us today to start saving your wallet!