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If you are planning on installing solar panels, you have probably noticed that there are a few different types on the market. Their differences are more than just cosmetic—they perform in varying ways. Each kind has different capabilities, energy-efficiency levels, and installation costs.

Our solar installation pros at Solar Bear compare the different types of solar panels so you can make the right choice for your home.

Types of Solar Panels

The four most popular types of solar panels include:

• Solar shingles
• Polycrystalline solar panels
• Monocrystalline solar panels
• Thin film solar panels

The best solar panel option for your home ultimately depends on your budget, roof space, access to sunlight, your energy needs, and your desired amount of energy efficiency.

Solar Roof Shingles

The newest solar panel option on the market is solar roof shingles. They are the modern answer to a beautiful roof and mimic asphalt shingle roofs in appearance—but with the added benefit of being a solar energy system.

Solar shingles are just as durable as asphalt shingles and protect your roof just as effectively. Each solar shingle can produce anywhere from 13-67 watts of solar energy, but keep in mind, the cost to install solar shingles will be more than the installation of asphalt shingles.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Solar panels are made of either polycrystalline or monocrystalline cells. Typical rooftop solar panels have up to 40 solar cells. Ultimately, the solar panel type that you choose will determine the cost and amount of roof space that your solar installation will require.

Polycrystalline solar panels were the first to be developed. They are rectangular and are created from melted silicon on a mold. Polycrystalline cells are not as efficient or tolerant to heat as monocrystalline cells and do not generate as much electricity from the sun.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panel cells are made from pure silicon. They are round which helps them achieve higher efficiency. Further, you will need fewer of them to generate power.

They are more expensive to purchase and install than their polycrystalline counterparts, but they tend to last longer which is a bonus.

Thin Film Solar Panels

Thin film solar panels are newer and are less frequently used for home installations, though they are growing in popularity.

These panels get their name from how they are produced. Layers of a semiconductor material such as silicon, cadmium telluride, gallium selenide, and copper indium are rolled out as a film. They tend to be less efficient than crystalline solar panel options and require more roof space. But thin-film panels are more flexible and inexpensive compared to crystalline solar cells and can be manufactured into shingles.

Choosing Solar Panels

When you get ready to buy solar panels for a residential install, you will want to consider how the above types of solar panels perform in terms of aesthetics, efficiency, and cost.

Aesthetics

First, consider how you want your solar panels to look.

• Solar shingles take the place of shingles on your roof and mimic the look of asphalt shingles
• Monocrystalline solar panels are typically arranged in neat rows and columns of sleek black cells.
• Polycrystalline solar panels have rows of cells and a bluish hue.
• Thin-film solar panels can be either blue or black. They are slimmer and have a lower profile, but you must install more of them to match the power output of other kinds of solar panels.

Efficiency

Solar panels vary in their energy efficiency.

• Solar shingles are quite efficient and can reach around 20% efficiency. This means that 20% of the sunlight is being converted into usable energy.
• Monocrystalline solar panels produce the most power and have high-efficiency ratings of 20%
• Polycrystalline solar panels are a bit less efficient at around 15-17%
• Thin-film solar panels are the least efficient type somewhere between 5-11%

Cost

Last, the cost is an important factor to consider when installing solar power.

• Solar shingles can be quite expensive since you are ultimately covering your entire roof with solar shingles. Prices can range from $60,000-$75,000.
• Monocrystalline solar panels are challenging to manufacture and tend to be in the more expensive range.
• Polycrystalline solar panels are generally affordable since they can be assembled with small fragments of silicon.
• Thin-film solar panels vary in cost depending on the material used to make them, but they are cheaper than the other solar options.

Install Solar with Solar Bear

If you are unsure of which solar panels will best fit your needs, call Solar Bear! Our experienced solar technicians can inspect your home and help determine what kind of solar panels are best for your home and energy needs.

Florida is a great place to go solar and Solar Bear is the leading solar panel installation company across the Sunshine State!

Ready to get started? Call Solar Bear today—407-904-7585!

At Solar Bear Tampa, it is important to us that all of our energy customers feel that they can trust their solar panels to power their home. The last thing anyone wants is to lose power in a storm, or any time, for that matter. We are confident that solar can power your home effectively—and more cheaply than traditional electric power can. 

Let’s get into a few myths about solar power and reliability. 

Myth #1: Solar power can’t power your entire home. 

One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to home solar power is that people often think solar cannot reliably power your entire home. This is incorrect: solar power is completely reliable and a great alternative to traditional energy. Especially in Florida, solar power is a great, renewable, and trustworthy source of energy, partially because our state gets quite a bit of sun (we are the “sunshine state,” after all) and partially because our government provides a lot of resources and incentives to go solar. Having a network of support and an excess of natural light makes for very favorable solar conditions indeed. 

Myth #2: Solar power doesn’t work at night. 

While, yes, solar power does not actively collect when the sun is not out, homes which run on solar power still get power at night. This comes from solar batteries which store excess solar energy gleaned from the sun during sunny times. Luckily for those of us in the Tampa Bay Area, we get a whopping 246 average days of sunshine a year, which is much higher than the national average. With a solar battery, you can rest assured that your darker days (and nights) will still be fully operational. 

Myth #3: Solar panels break often. 

Lots of people are concerned that solar panels might be easily breakable or unreliable because they fail to work consistently. This is a myth—in fact, solar panels are incredibly durable. In actuality, the amount of solar panels that fail per year is negligible—less than five percent across the panels’ lifetime. And in the rare case that one of your solar panels fails, they come with 25-year or 30-year warranties which makes replacing defective panels simple and painless. 

Solar Bear Tampa

If you want to learn more about how solar power can work for your home’s needs, give us a call at 813-519-4970. Our friendly, trusted team of experts can answer any questions you may have about making the switch to solar today. 

The sun is an amazing source of energy because it is readily available and is renewable. New technological advances in the past few years have increased reliance on solar energy by reducing upfront costs and increasing solar efficiency. 

Solar power is now much more affordable and installation easier than ever before with new innovative solar panel designs and technologies. 

Why is solar the power of the future? Scroll down to learn the benefits of solar and how it can change the future! 

Solar Solutions for Construction 

Construction companies know the importance of keeping up with technological advances and have begun offering solar solutions to clients and using solar energy themselves. The use of solar energy allows construction companies to use fewer fossil fuels and solar energy can run tools and machinery which saves on oil and gasoline costs. 

Solar Can Be Used by Anyone

Solar power can be considered the way of the future because of its versatility. Wherever people live, solar energy will always be able to be used. For example, those living in rural communities can use solar power to bring renewable energy to their homes without hassle and bureaucracy. 

People can rely on the sun day in and day out for energy. Unlike fossil fuels, sunlight is a guaranteed resource of energy and can be harnessed even during the winter and in colder climates. 

Solar Energy = Savings

Because of the ups and downs of our economy, more people are looking for ways to save money. Installing solar panels can reduce electricity bills, can be used in net-metering programs, and could be eligible for a solar tax credit. 

In the future people can save money with solar by:

• Lowering their electricity bills or possibly eliminating them altogether
• Taking part in solar rebate programs to receive cashback on a newly purchased PV system
• Take advantage of net metering programs which enable homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the utility company and earn credit. 
• Using the Federal Tax Credit where taxpayers can claim a federal solar energy tax credit on their income taxes for up to 30% of the cost of the installation of a solar system.

Solar Energy is Good for the Environment

Our current means of producing electricity is not a sustainable process. The burning of coal, oil, and gas can be detrimental to the health of our environment. Current electricity production creates excessive carbon dioxide emissions, the extraction of fossil fuels contributes to pollution, and the use of our water supply causes far-reaching environmental problems around the world. 

It is safe to say that using renewable energy sources like solar power will help save and protect our environment. 

Solar is a Great Investment

The world will need more solar energy in the future and the sun will become one of our greatest resources and a cheap form of power, especially in our sunniest regions. Solar is a great investment in the future of our world not just because of energy savings, but because it can save our environment and can benefit cities big and small across the globe. 

Go Solar with Solar Bear Orlando 

Ready to harness the power of the sun and install solar panels on your property? Our expert technicians at Solar Bear are ready to serve homeowners throughout Florida! 

Take control of your energy bill today. Go solar with Solar Bear―407-904-7585!

There are plenty of benefits that come with solar panel installation, including the fact that solar energy is sustainable and eco-friendly. If you are considering switching to solar, there are mistakes that you need to avoid so you can get the most out of your investment. 

Scroll down to learn more about some of the most common mistakes that we have seen at Solar Bear. 

Mistake #1: Ignoring the Structural Makeup of Your Home’s Roof 

Solar power can add significant weight per square meter to a roof. Therefore, you need to be sure that your roof can structurally support that much additional weight. 

It is also essential to consider the type of roof that you have. A roof with shingles or made from metal panels may be easier to install a solar panel system on than one that is made of tile. 

Mistake #2: Improper Sizing of the Solar Panel System 

The easiest way to calculate the appropriate size of solar panels is to calculate your power consumption and then install a panel system that provides that amount of energy. The problem with this is that it can neglect important factors that can impact the amount of power that your solar system can produce including:

• Panel orientation
• Voltage settings of the solar system’s inverter
• Natural efficiency declines 

If you do not account for these factors, you may not have an accurate size or number of solar panels for your energy needs. To determine which solar panel size is right for you, work with an experienced solar panel contractor from Super Bear from the beginning. We will ensure that your solar panel is right for your house size and specific energy needs.

Mistake #3: Purchasing the Cheapest Solar Panels on the Market

While you may want to switch to solar power to save on your utility bills, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to purchasing high-quality solar panels. While low-cost solar panels might seem like a great idea right now, they will cost you more down the line when you have to replace components or the entire system because it became faulty or broke down completely. 

Of course, you do not have to choose the most expensive system on the market, just ensure that it is high quality and will last for years. 

Mistake #4: Placing the Panels Away from the Sun 

We get it, solar panels are hardly the most attractive feature to install on your roof, and for many homeowners, keeping them out of sight is best. While there is no problem with placing your solar panel system out of view, they need to be installed where they get enough sunlight.

Also, it is best to choose a place where there are no tree branches to shade or obscure your solar panels. A knowledgeable solar installer can help you identify the proper location for your panels. 

Mistake #5: Opting for a DIY Installation

Solar installation is not something that you want to attempt on your own unless you have the proper expertise to pull it off. 

Before beginning a DIY solar installation, ask yourself:

• What size solar panels will suit my required energy needs?
• How much roof support will the solar panels need? 
• How will the solar panel wiring be completed? 
• What is the perfect place to install solar panels?

If you are unable to answer these questions with certainty, it is best to leave the installation to a professional from Solar Bear, as a small mistake in the installation process could cause endless headaches in the future. 

Install Solar with Confidence 

Say yes to solar and get them installed by our professional team at Solar Bear! We will ensure that your solar panels are the right size for your home, efficient, and facing the sun for the ultimate amount of energy capture. Ready to install? Call us today for a solar panel consultation—407-904-7585!