Renewable Energy

Solar Panels - Making the Right Choice

Date Added: 25/07/2008

Retraction.

It has been brought to our attention that information published in this information sheet on Saturday the 16th July 2008 was incorrect.

Solarshop Australia has confirmed that the two Solar Panels used in the demonstration are a BP 30 Watt Solar Panel and the larger panel is a Kaneka 26 Watt Solar Panel. The BP panel is more space efficient which is why it is smaller than the Kaneka panel.

The specs for the two panels follow below

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Nicole Delamont

Series Producer

Solar panels absorb light (or photons) from the sun and produce electricity. Sort of like how photosynthesis works in leaves and trees, they absorb light to grow. Solar panels on the roof of your home absorb light to produce electricity. New developments in solar panels have meant that solar energy is now more efficient, they now create more kilowatts of power per inch and per panel than before. They harness more energy per size of panels than ever before.
 
Also like trees, solar panels do not like too much heat. In fact the hotter the solar panels get the less power they are able to generate. Which means heat tolerance is important aspect to consider, especially in Australia, where we have long summers and hot days. Advances in solar panel technology mean we are increasingly able to generate power in extreme heat and shades. Photovoltaic technology has transformed over the decades from groups of silicon cells wired together under glass panes, to make a photovoltaic module (PV Solar panels), to various thin film materials fixed onto glass, metal and plastics, which use newer nanotechnology photovoltaic.
 
When installing solar panels consider the position of your house in relation to the sun. The angle and position of your panels are crucial to getting the most out of your solar panels; the optimal position is north facing at a 30 degree angel. Solar panel experts like those at Solar Shop will help you work out the best place to put the panels to make the most efficient use of the sun i.e. if you don't have a sufficient roof slope, they can design a special mounting frame.
 
Having an accurate idea of what your energy consumption is will help ensure that you get the best matching sized solar array, battery and inverter for your home. Get an inverter that matches the largest amount of energy that your panels can collect. Also look at your old energy bills to see where most of your energy comes from and at what times. The amount of solar panels, invertors and batteries needed also depends on the location of the site and how long the batteries are going to be required to go without charging. 
 
Solar panels can cost between $6,000 and $60,000. The cost depends on the technology you choose, the size of your roof and your energy usage. A system between 1,500 - 2,000 watts will be able to run an entire energy efficient home.
 
For more information check out these links:
 - Solar Shop
 - DEUS Solar Power Works