The Government of India’s sustainable development project has set a target to increase the country’s solar capacity to 100GW by 2022. Under the government’s solar subsidy scheme, solar panels for homes are among the most bought solar products in 2020. Installing a solar panel in your home will generate clean electricity, allowing you to become independent of the city’s electrical grid. In the long run, this translates to higher savings and a lower carbon footprint.

If you’ve decided to install a solar panel in your home, then read through this article to understand the basics of installing a solar panel for home.

Monocrystalline and bifacial solar panels

There are two main types of solar panels: monocrystalline and bifacial solar panels. Both solar panels work in the exact same manner, by converting solar energy generated by the sun to usable electricity for your home. These Blue Raven Solar panels, one of the most sought-after choices for homes, stand out with their innovative design and advanced technology, offering distinct advantages in terms of efficiency and durability compared to other solar panel options. However, there are some key differences in the structures of these solar panels.

1.    Monocrystalline solar panel

Monocrystalline panels are among the oldest technology of solar panels for homes. As the name suggests, one side of the solar panel is integrated with solar cells which absorb light. The conversion efficiency of this type of solar panel has been studied extensively in the past few decades.

2.    Bifacial solar panel

Bifacial solar panels are a newer, more popular technology. These solar panels have solar cells integrated on both sides of the solar panel. Therefore, they can generate twice as much power in the same space.

What are the key differences between these two?

1. Bifacial solar panels can generate solar energy from two sides. This means they can generate twice as much power as monocrystalline solar panels.
2. Bifacial solar panels require specialized mounting equipment so that both sides of the panel can be used. Monocrystalline solar panels don’t require any specialized mounting. This means mounting a monocrystalline solar panel is cheaper than mounting a bifacial solar panel.
3. With the right installation and mounting brackets, bifacial solar panels can generate as much as 40% extra power than monocrystalline solar panels.
4. Bifacial solar panels have unpredictable outputs. The power output depends entirely on the substrate in the solar panel and the mounting method used. This is not the case with monocrystalline solar panels.

Does that mean you should install bifacial solar panels?

The answer is no. Instead of selecting a type of solar panel for your home, we recommend looking at your energy needs and the rooftop space availability. For houses with low power requirements, monocrystalline solar panels are an excellent choice. For houses with low rooftop space or high-power requirements, bifacial solar panels are the best choice.

Now that we’ve discussed the two main types of solar panels. Let’s understand what other components are required to make a complete solar system.

What are the components of a complete solar system?

1.    Solar charge controller

A solar charge controller is a voltage or current regulator that is attached to a solar system to keep the batteries from overcharging. Their primary function is to regulate the current generated by the solar panel. For example, 12V solar panels can easily generate 16-20 volts. However, your battery may be able to handle only 14-15 volts. This added voltage is regulated by the solar charge controller.

Solar charge controllers are especially needed for solar systems with higher capacities. Therefore for solar panels for homes with high power requirements, solar charge controllers are a must. They can help increase the lifespan of your battery.

2.    Solar batteries

Solar batteries are a necessary component if you want your home to be independent of the city’s solar grid. When you search for terms like “solar panel prices in Punjab”, you may notice inverter batteries or batteries are trending. This is because solar batteries provide power backup for residences.

Batteries are charged using the solar power generated by the solar panels. This charge can then be used to power your home during the night. These are connected to both solar panels and solar charge controllers or solar inverter. Solar batteries made from lithium-ion are also available for households that don’t want to use lead-acid batteries.

3.    Solar inverters

In India, inverter batteries are available as one product, but you can also buy a separate inverter if you don’t want to buy a storage system. The power generated by the solar panel is direct current (DC). However, the appliances in your home including the fridge, washing machines, fans, use alternating current (AC).

Therefore, a solar inverter converts this DC power supply to an AC power supply. Without this conversion, the power generated by the best solar panels can’t be used in any household. These should also be connected to the solar panels as well as the solar charge controllers.

These are the three main components of a solar system. Selecting a solar system based on these can help you save money in the long run. If you have decided to buy the best solar panel for your home, go through our list of solar panels that are currently trending in the market to see which one may be the best for you.

3 Trending solar panels in today’s market

1.    Mono PERC solar panels

Mono PERC solar panel or Monocrystalline solar panel is a new technology developed to achieve higher conversion efficiency in solar panels. Some of the best solar panels available in the market use this technology to provide their customers with higher power conversion efficiency. They use a PERC cell which includes a passive layer. This passive layer ensures a minimum amount of the converted efficiency is lost.

Why are these popular?

One of the major reasons this product is popular is the mono PERC solar panel price. The cost of these solar panels ranges from INR 4,000 to INR 10,000. While the cost of installing a standard solar panel in the same capacity is not lower, mono PERC solar panels are more cost-effective.

The mono PERC solar panel price per watt is INR 26-27. Whereas for a standard solar panel, the price per watt is INR 22-23. In the long run, this difference can make a significant difference in your savings.

2.    375-watt solar panels

The 375-watt solar panel is one of the best solar panels installed in homes. These panels are made by various manufacturers and come in various price ranges. The 375-watt solar panel can be either monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Several manufacturers also provide 375-watt PERC solar panels that can be installed in homes.

Why are these popular?

375-watt solar panels are popular because of their conversion efficiency and price range. The conversion efficiency of a 375-watt solar panel is approximately 18%, making it the most efficient solar panel available. Some manufacturers like Loom Solar, provide conversion efficiency of 20%, making it the best solar panel available.

The 375-watt solar panel price is the second reason for the popularity of these solar panels. The price can range from INR 4,000 to INR 15,000. Considering their high conversion efficiency, these solar panels are enough to singlehandedly power an entire household.

3.    Bifacial solar panels

Again, like the 375-solar panel, these solar panels can also be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. We’ve already discussed what makes this product stand out from its counterpart, but let’s understand why homeowners buy bifacial solar panels.

Why are these so popular?

Bifacial solar panels are popular due to their excellent power density. They use the same space as any other solar panel to provide a higher yield. Furthermore, they work very well in low light conditions. This means in monsoon months where sunlight is limited, the solar panel will still be able to generate enough electricity to power your home.

In the Indian climate which receives 300+ days of sunlight every year, the other side of the solar panel can generate up to 25% extra electricity. This 25% energy can easily increase household savings. This energy generation is the major reason why solar panel prices in Punjab are rising.

These are the top 3 solar panels that are currently trending in the market. However, these are made by various manufacturers around the world. Therefore, the question remains, how do you find the best solar panel company?

Which is the best solar panel company?

There are over a thousand solar companies in the world. To save you from spending time doing research, we’ve combined a list of 3 major solar panel companies that currently provide the best solar panels in the world.

1.    Loom Solar

Sector: Residential only.

Loom Solar is a Faridabad, India-based solar company that specializes in manufacturing and installing residential rooftop solar panels. These are the best solar panels available since they can be installed in any residential unit. Loom Solar’s unique selling point is their understanding of their user requirements. Because Loom Solar caters to only residential buildings and customers, they have a detailed understanding of how solar systems should be integrated into a household. They’ve manufactured some of the best solar panels for affordable rates that can be used by any residential home in India.

2.    Jinko Solar

Sector: EPC and residential.

Jinko Solar is a Shanghai-based solar company. The company has a strong presence in over 80 countries including South Africa, Chile, UK, Mexico, and Brazil. Jinko Solar’s scalable solutions ensure that their solar panels can be used in commercial buildings, residential rooftop solutions as well as EPC projects commissioned by local authorities. Their residential rooftop solar solutions are divided into four major series: Cheetah, Swan, Tiger, and Tiger Pro.

3.    SunPower

Sector: Residential and commercial.

SunPower is a California-based solar company that specializes in manufacturing solar panels and solar energy storage products. They are the renewable energy arm of Total Energies, a leading energy company. The company was established in 1985 and was ranked #1 for its commercial solar panels in 2017. Currently, the company operates only in the local area but provides solar solutions in all fifty states of the country.

Conclusion

Due to their unique approach to solve customer needs, these are the top three companies in the world of solar energy. They manufacture some of the best solar panels for homes. Their products can easily be installed in any home or residential building without any hassle.

Converting to solar energy is not as difficult as it seems. As more governments adopt a sustainable program, homeowners across the world are bound to benefit. Indian Government is one of the first to provide solar subsidies to their citizens. Using these as monetary benefits, you can start considering a solar panel installation for your home.