Deciding to add solar panels to your home to save on energy and lower your utility bills is smart. Of course, you might just want to “go green” and that’s your motivation for adding solar panels to your home. Whatever the reason, you probably want to know what the best solar panels are and how to get them.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Solar Panels
Price
While it’s true that higher quality items often come with a high price tag, solar panels are the exception. You can get high quality solar panels without the super high price tag. It just takes a little extra research on your part.
There are lots of brands and companies that make solar panels. However, not every installer in your area is likely to install all brands. Once you have settled on the brand and the cost you want to spend, you have to find the installer that will sell you the panels and is certified and licensed to install them.
Warranty
Solar panels come with a warranty. Unfortunately, there are two main kinds of warranties that you should be looking for. There are warranties against defects and warranties against workmanship and installation. Before you settle on some of the best possible solar panels as your preferred choice, make sure you know which warranties are attached. The best solar panels will have all the types of warranties attached, which definitely provides piece of mind for such a large investment.
Efficiency
Not all solar panels are created equal, as odd as that sounds. The primary purpose for installing solar panels on your home is to acquire energy efficiency in the most natural way possible. However, some solar panels are not nearly as efficient as they should be, nor as efficient as you desire.
Again, this goes back to finding the panels you really like, but also uncovering efficiency ratings. You want your solar panels to eventually pay for themselves, not cost you more money in the long run. The good news is that solar panel manufacturers are required by law to provide efficiency ratings on demand. Some companies are nice enough to provide that information up front without customers having to ask for it.
Sources of Information for Your Solar Panel Research
Consult with local solar panel installers. Ask them what they consider to be the pefect solar panels. They may only promote the panels they install, and you may get competing responses, which means you will still have to conduct some research on your own. There are also government agencies that track how well panels do, and there are solar panel farms that will only use certain panels because of their efficiency, warranties, and price.
Remember that whatever panels you choose and install on your house are there for good. Make sure that what you choose is exactly what you want. There are no “returns” on solar panel purchases unless it falls under the warranties granted by the installers and manufacturers.
