5 things to know before you purchase solar systems

Solar system for home

Energy is the most important aspect of advancement and development of mankind. Without energy, there will be no innovation, no invention and mankind will have to compromise with the lack of advancement. However, the sources of energy that are traditionally used by the mankind, such as coal, petroleum etc. is coming to an end.

Within a few years or so, the earth will be devoid of any kind of fuel. That will be the end of any sort of energy production. But, the demand for energy is only constantly increasing, with no chances of decrease in the need and demand. However, it takes just a few years to finish the resources; whereas, it takes millions of years for the creation of these natural energy sources.

That is why; the world needs to switch to the alternative energy sources. And the primary source of energy, where the entire animal kingdom or plant kingdom receives energy from, is the Sun. Utilizing the solar energy is the best way to fight this problem. There was a time, when the solar energy was trapped and used only in the rural areas, where there was a lack of other electricity sources or in the industrial belts, where there is a huge demand of energy. But, now you can easily access the solar system for home use.

Whatever the type you choose for powering your home, it is important to check the service provider for right installations and services like end to- end EPC solutions, operation, and maintenance.

Types of solar system for home

There are various options to select the best one for your home as not all the solar systems are same. The two main types of solar panel for home are:

1) Grid tied residential solar power systems without batteries

These are the common types of solar power system used in homes today. It is cheap and easy to install since it has a few components to utilize and install.

Pros

• Ensured of financial incentives including net metering
• Utility grid can be used as backup when solar power is not sufficient

Cons

• When grid power fails, solar power system too fails.
• Grid ties power system may have utility fees.

2) Off grid residential solar power systems

It can be seen in deep rural areas where there is no service with the utilities. It is extremely difficult to seen in the areas where utilities offer a service.

Pros

• Complete energy independence
• Careful plan can lead to full power the home
• Energy necessities won’t get impacted with power outages

Cons

• Expensive than the other two
• Difficult to install

If you have decided to buy solar power system for home, here are the best tips that you should follow.

1. Don’t be carried away by advertisements:

Since more and more people are leaning towards acquiring the solar power system for their homes, many companies have come into this business. With loads of advertisements, they try to influence the buyers. However, you must not be carried away by these advertisements in excitement. It is always better that you seek for recommendations.

You must ask your friends, family members, neighbors or even colleagues, if they have installed the home solar system kit in their homes. Ask them about the brand or company that they have chosen. There are a few things that you must ask them –

• The service quality
• Ease of installation
• Problems if any

It is only after you get satisfactory answers for these questions that you should proceed towards choosing that company or brand.

2. Understand the material and choose the best one:

While buying the off grid solar power systems the first thing that you need to be careful about is the type of panel that you are choosing. There are two kinds of panels available in the market –

• Monocrystalline:

These are made up of uniform crystals, made from pure and large silicone crystal bars. Since the panels are uniform, they are more efficient, eliminating the space wastage. These panels can absorb massive amounts of solar energy in strong sunlight. But absorption is reduced when light condition reduces.

• Polycrystalline:

These are purified and moulded crystal panels. These are less efficient, but are less expensive than the monocrystalline panels.

Both of these panels have their unique properties. You must choose the one that fits your needs and budget.

3. Be realistic about the budget:

The solar system for home in India is not very cheap. But, you must understand that with this one time investment, you are actually potentially saving huge for the future. Your energy bills are going to be reduced significantly. All that you have to pay for is the minimal maintenance charges that you would have to otherwise pay for the traditional power systems. Hence, to make sure that you don’t have to pay huge on these solar power kits for repairing and maintenance purposes, choose the best quality ones that will last for long.

4. Understand the location and choose the kit:

The location or area in which you are going to install the solar power system for home plays a huge role. If you live in an area, where there is uninterrupted strong sunlight most of the time of the year, you can go for the monocrystalline systems.

If you live in an area where there is a scarcity of direct or strong sunlight, go for the polycrystalline ones. This will absorb the sun from different directions.

5. Look for certifications:

This is one of the most important tips that you must follow, while you are buying your solar power kit. Look for the certifications that your system has. It applies to all kinds of solar panel systems that you are buying. The certifications indicate the type of testing that has been done on the panels. There are certain types that bring you government rebates. Go for them if you need to save money on the best solar panels for home use.

6. Solar inverter:

The solar inverter is very crucial for the solar system for home. It converts the absorbed DC current into usable AC current. The better is the solar inverter; the less will be the waste of the power that is conserved. This will have a direct impact on your savings.

7. Check the mounting system:

If you want to know how much do solar panels save, you must consider all other factors that are associated with it. One of them is the mounting system. The best mounting systems will ensure that the chance of the solar panels being unmounted during a wild storm is less. If you live in an area that is cyclone prone, this is especially important.

There are two types of mounting options – the flush mounting, which is an easy to install and cost-effective mounting option; and the other one is the roof or floor mounting. The latter is a little bit more expensive, but makes sure that the solar power system lasts for long. Flush mounting is good for those areas that are not cyclone prone. But if the area is prone to cyclones, the mounting should be done with the roof or the floor, to secure the system.

8. Warranty:

The last but not least important thing is the warranty of the solar power system. This is, in fact, a very confusing factor. Many of the companies give a long warranty, sometimes as long as 25 years. However, the companies do not have a good service or business hold in the country and when the time comes; you might not get the deserved support and service. Instead, go for a trustworthy company that offers replacement warranty for the big or small solar panels for home use.

So, it is now time that you switch to the solar systems for homes for power generation and usage. It is the most eco-friendly choice and the world needs this switch. Save your money and also save the planet. Be prepared for a world that has to switch to solar power in the near future.

Read Also: Top 10 Solar Companies in India for Residential Rooftop, Utility Scale Projects & Off Grid Solutions.