3 of The Best Solar Panels for Home

If you’re thinking of installing solar panels on the roof of your home and gradually do away with conventional electricity use, then you’ve taken a wise decision.

Though you may have to invest quite heavily in the beginning, you’ll be easily able to recoup your investments in the long run as you’d be saving substantially on your monthly utility billings.

Tapping solar power for keeping your home lighted up, powering home appliances, running the geyser in the bathroom, and meeting other energy needs is not only cost efficient but also eco-friendly, helping to reduce carbon footprints.

Solar panel installation could set you back by about $20,000-$40,000 including the cost of panels, mounting hardware, and labor charges. It’ll take at least two decades to recoup your outlays, receiving incentives from the government notwithstanding.

However, the benefits that you reap by opting for solar panels easily outweigh the downsides. The most significant benefit will be that the resale value of your abode will go up considerably.

What to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Solar Panel Brand?

Since installation of solar panels calls for huge investments, you’ll have to factor in certain variables or aspects, including the area and inclination of the rooftop, availability of government incentives, and so on.

At the same time, you’ll be keen to evaluate the maximum time it’ll take to recover your expenses by counterbalancing the same with the expected energy savings that accrue for that period. Following are some considerations to keep in mind before taking the ultimate decision:-

Find out how many panels you’re actually going to need

A solar panel’s power generation capacity depends upon its wattage, so higher the watt rating, the more efficient the panel will be.

To determine the number of panels your roof is going to need, calculate the total wattage required for powering up your home and thereafter divide the figure by the wattage of each panel.

So, if your house consumes 5000w and you’re thinking of buying panels, each with a 300w rating, then you’ll need17 panels. The rule of thumb is to go for fewer panels with a high wattage.

Solar panels that will deliver in temperature extremes

Top quality solar panels are able to conserve energy in temperatures ranging from -40˚F to 185˚F and beyond.

Affordability & Guarantee

Premium panels are fabricated out of tempered glass while the less costly ones are of polished sheet glass. Depending on your budgets you may go for any of these. Additionally, you should always check the period of guarantee/warranty that is provided by the manufacturer.

Consultation with a professional

Contact a professional solar panel installer or a roofing company who’ll be able to guide you on the appropriate wattage of panels that’ll be suitable for your roof and the exact number of panels you may require.

Top 3 Solar Panels for Home

Moultrie 6 Volt Solar Panel

The Moultrie 6 Volt Solar Panel is a highly affordable solar powered panel that is perfectly suitable for setting up with consumer feeders and rechargeable batteries used in homes.

It is reinforced with a trickle charge feature which comes handy for charging a battery that is already fully charged. This functionality enables the battery to maintain its full charge. This Moultrie panel can be conveniently mounted on the feeder legs, performing superbly for years on end.

Pros

Very compact and lightweight which helps in easily mounting the panel
Incredibly weather-resistant: keeps on functioning efficiently in extremes of weather and temperatures
Trickle charge functionality prolongs life of battery
Supremely compatible for using with game feeders in areas or spaces that are difficult to reach
Does away with the requirement to use a diode for checking backflow/reverse-flow
Comes with 71-inch connecting cables
Can be installed easily on a feeder using a U-bolt

Cons

The electric wires are vulnerable to being chewed away by raccoons and squirrels as the same is not sheathed
The mounting hardware is not rust resistant

Durabuild 527S-DUB-106-BLK Roof Mount Solar Powered Attic Fan, 20-watt

If you’re sincere about cutting down on energy usage and benefit from savings on utility bills, then bring home the Durabuild 527S-DUB-106-BLK Roof Mount Solar Powered Attic Fan.

This solar fan comes perfectly handy for driving out hot and humid air from the garret thereby reducing and minimizing the chances of mold formation which ultimately prolongs the rooftop’s functional life. The fan is driven by a 24v motor which in turn is kept in operation via a thermostatically controlled 20w solar panel.

Pros

Aids in reducing overall energy consumption in households
Checks and prevents mold and mildew growth in attics
Roof life is prolonged as hot and moist air is completely expelled out
Thermostatically controlled motor; turns on automatically when the temperature is 85˚F and shuts off when the temperature falls to 65˚F
Conditions an 1850sq feet garret area
Grade 5 ASB covering is resistant to UV rays and impacts
Leak and rust resistant
Housed in wire mesh to protect from rodents

Cons

Thermostat may be a hindrance during the winter preventing the motor from functioning normally
Professional help may be required for installing the fan which adds to overall costs
Will drive hot air out of the attic but not cool the spaces down

ALLPOWERS 100W 18V 12V Bendable SunPower Solar Panel Charger Water/ Shock/ Dust Resistant Solar Charger for RV, Boat, Cabin, Tent, Car, Trailer, or Any Other Irregular Surface

The 100w 18v/12v Bendable SunPower Solar Panel Charger from ALLPOWERS is eminently suitable for rapid charging of 12v lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries and a host of other equipment.

The panels can be bent or curved up to 30˚ for installing on and supplying power to boats, tents, huts, RVs, and cars. The solar panels are very lightweight and compact enabling these to be easily transported, hung, and installed in small surface areas. Certified by CE, RoHS, and FCC, it is protected against surges and short circuits.

Pros

Highly energy efficient
Extremely durable and more hardy than aluminum or plate glass panels
Resistant to shocks, water, rust, mold, and dust
Panels are extremely malleable
Packs in 100w of power
Lightweight and compact
Metal flanged mounting holes for convenient installation
Can be installed on a range of regular as well as irregular surfaces

Cons

The user or customer will need to separately purchase specific accessories to get it started
Some individuals may have to hire professional help for setting up the panels

Conclusion

A total of three distinct devices that harnesses solar energy were considered. The Moultrie 6V Solar Panel coming at a budget friendly price was found to be perfectly compatible for using with game feeders.

The solar powered fan from Durabuild was found to be a tad expensive but it does the job of driving out hot air from roof attics quite effectively and the ALLPOWER solar panels were ideal for installing on rooftops of homes, RVs, tents, and boats.