Alternative energy in the form of obtaining electricity from the sun and wind are becoming more and more relevant. It allows not only to become independent from interruptions in the central network and other force majeure but also to receive additional income in the form of payments from the state for "green energy" transferred to the network.
Solar batteries are the most important element of an autonomous system that allows you to provide the family with electricity. The active surface of solar panels usually consists of silicon and some chemical compounds, when light hits them, a potential difference and a current are created.
Solar panels constantly capture the light of the Sun - even in rainy weather and even in the evening. They just do it less effectively than on a bright day. Everything is very simple: little sun - little energy, a lot of suns - a lot of energy. But in any case, it is. Those who have adapted to charge their gadgets from compact folding solar panels from China will understand this more clearly. It is possible to replenish the energy supply even in cloudy or snowy weather, it's just that the charge goes much more slowly. By the way, many will be surprised, but solar panels do an excellent job in cold climates if only the sun shines more often and longer. The cold is important because, in hot weather, heat prevents the sun from converting into electricity.
If you want to buy solar panels for your home you can write to Aion Solar for solar panel installation. You can read all the details on their website, and in this article, we will share interesting information with you.
What to pay attention to when choosing a solar battery?
When choosing a solar panel, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- The nominal voltage - usually 12 volts or 24 volts - must correspond to the voltage of other elements of the autonomous electricity system - the battery and the inverter.
- Maximum power affects the amount of electricity that the solar cell will produce under ideal conditions - solar activity, angle of inclination of the panel to the sun, etc.
- When installed on a house, in more than 99% of cases, the real indicator will be lower.
- The coefficient of efficiency - the higher it is, the more efficiently the solar panel will work, and fewer of them will be needed to provide full electricity for one family.
- Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient today.
Solar panels require minimal maintenance - they are durable and reliable. If you live in a dusty environment, you may want to clean them once a year to maximize power output or shovel snow for the same purpose. That's all I care about.
Residents of apartment buildings can benefit from solar panels. We have already found out that compact panels located near the window are capable of charging portable equipment. But if you manage to gather active residents of your house, then you can jointly chip in and put solar panels on your roof, enjoying the energy received.
How much does a solar panel cost?
The price of solar batteries depends on the characteristics of the panel, first of all - power, and can be from 15 dollars. US for 10-watt portable solar panels to $250 for panels under 500 watts.
At the same time, some panels for specific functions may be more expensive. So, for example, a derivative solar battery for camping with a capacity of only 5-10 watts in Ukraine can cost 80-100 dollars due to expensive materials that ensure maximum compactness, light weight, durability, and performance of the model. While more powerful analogs of solar batteries for camping can cost more than one thousand dollars.
The complex cost of the power plant depends on the capacity and the selected equipment. The price of a turnkey installation ranges from $440-850 per kW. The amount increases with the number of panels, fastening systems, cables, etc. Thus, the construction of a network solar power plant with a capacity of 10 kW will cost an average of $5-7 thousand. The price of a solar station for 30 kW can reach $17-18 thousand or more, depending on the quality and brand of equipment. The cost of a finished home solar station includes the following components:
- Solar panels;
- inverter;
- Mounting system (sloping roof/ground mounting system);
- Materials for electrical installation, installation, protection, and switching;
- Installation work;
- Transport delivery/business trips for installers bidirectional counter.
The most expensive part of the construction of the station is the modules themselves. A significant percentage of the costs are the inventor and fasteners - this is a rather important component because due to low-quality materials, the panels can fly off the roof/structure. A tenth of the amount can be saved if all the work is done independently.
Thanks to solar panels, you can provide electricity to your household, and sell the surplus to the state. Building a home station can be a daunting task if you don't know all the nuances. As you know, a home solar panel can be installed on a balcony, on the roof of your house, or on a plot of land. Some owners do it themselves, but the task will be difficult if you do not know all the details. In addition, there are companies on the Ukrainian market that will prepare a project taking into account the wishes and capabilities of the customer and installing the station on a turnkey basis.
Use and effectiveness
The average service life of a powerful solar battery is more than 25 years. The efficiency of the solar battery is 14%. The efficiency and productivity of the solar battery, first of all, depends on its nominal power, as well as on the activity of the sun. It is more profitable to use batteries in tropical and subtropical regions with a large number of sunny days. To achieve the maximum economic benefit, solar batteries must be used for most of the year, most actively - in the spring and summer periods. In the winter season, it is better to combine the use of solar batteries with a connection to the power grid.
On average, the payback period is 3-4 years, and the lifespan of home solar panels is more than 20 years. Our experts note that the cost of electricity can increase every year, so the payback period will decrease. Thus, home solar panels can be a profitable long-term investment. There is another important factor affecting the efficiency of the feed-in tariff and the payback of the installation. This is the owner's current electricity consumption. We recommend doing an energy audit, troubleshooting, and taking energy-saving measures before installing a solar panel.