Solar Panels

Solar Panels

When most people think of a Solar Power System they think of getting Solar Panels. However Solar Panels are just one component of a solar power system - albeit an important one. See - How does a solar system work?

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, commonly called solar panels, come in three main types: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Amorphous or thin film. Amorphous panels are better in low light but not as good in bright light, therefore they are often used in climates that don't get a lot of sunshine. In Australia, Mono and Polycrystalline panels are the panels of choice because of their higher efficiency in sunshine.

Solar PV panels are different from what is used for Solar hot water which heat the water but do not provide electricity. The advantage of solar PV panels is that they can heat your water by providing electricity to do so, but can also power the other appliances in your house.

Which solar panels should you get?

There is often much confusion about whether to get mono or poly crystalline panels. They are both made from the same materials but have a different manufacturing process. As a result, they have slightly different characteristics, which in some climates can make one or the other preferable. However, in our mild Illawarra/Sydney climate it is far more important to choose a high quality panel from a top manufacturer than it is to choose based on whether mono or poly.

There is an endless list of panel manufacturers that can supply PV panels - from very high quality to poor quality. Many solar companies provide what suits them - usually what will make them the most money on a standard system that they try to sell to all customers.

At the Solar Power Pro in Wollongong we don’t sell a “one size fits all” solar system over the phone or by using google maps (be wary of those who do!). To get the most from a solar system it should be specifically designed for your site. Additionally, we are not tied into one product but can give you a choice of solar panels (and inverters) to suit your particular needs and budget.

I always recommend using premium quality components but recognise that people have different needs and budgets. So we can price various options for you such as a premium quality system or a high quality system or even a budget system. In each case we select the best possible quality in that price range. We will, however, be upfront in telling you which range the products are in and the brand name of each product. Solar Power Pro are the solar power Wollongong professionals.

For more information See - What is the difference between brands of panels and inverters? and - What do I need to know before buying a solar system? 4 traps to avoid!