Category: Uncategorized

Types of Solar Panels Compared

At Solar Bear Tampa, we know that making the switch to powering your home with solar can be tough. There’s a lot to learn about solar panels, power systems, and battery storage, not to mention all the tax and installation processes involved. That’s why we’ve written about many of these things on this blog. Today, we hope to take some of the mystery out of the difference between types of solar panels, so that you can make the best choice for your home solar power arrangement as a consumer. 

Here are the different types of solar panels compared. 

Monocrystalline solar panels

The most efficient and long-lasting of the solar panel types is the monocrystalline solar panel. Unfortunately, because these solar panels are made out of a single silicon crystal that has been divided into several different segments, they are often rather expensive and hard to come by. If you can spring for the monocrystalline solar panels, budget-wise, it’s a good idea, since each one of these dark black panels can generate up to 300 watts of power, and since they have an efficiency rate of 20%, high for solar panels in general. However, there is often a lot of silicon crystal wasted in their production (sometimes up to 50%), which makes them somewhat wasteful and costly. While monocrystalline solar panels work less efficiently in heat, they hold up better in hail, thanks to their thicker construction. 

Polycrystalline solar panels

Like monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels are made from silicon crystals, only these are built from multiple, smaller crystals instead of a single, large crystal. This makes polycrystalline solar panels much easier to manufacture, although they aren’t as efficient and cannot store as much power as monocrystalline panels can. They also have a lower heat tolerance because the crystals have been melted and poured into square molds to mimic the appearance of full crystals. Since the crystals used in these panels are thick, like the panels used in monocrystalline solar panels, they are also a good choice for environments with high wind and hail. 

PERC solar panels

Another type of solar panel is the passivated emitter and rear cell panel, or PERC. PERC panels differ from crystalline solar panels in the method of their construction—an extra layer is added into the solar cells so that the light absorbed by the cell is reflected and then absorbed again. These kinds of solar panels are more efficient even than monocrystalline solar panels for this reason and are considered to be an advance in solar panel technology. The most efficient of the solar panel types, PERC panels can also take up less space thanks to the extra work each cell does. Because of the method of their production, they can be more expensive, but compared to the expense of monocrystalline panels, they are not too much more costly, and often the difference in price pays for itself. 

Thin-film solar panels

The last type of solar panels are called “thin-film” panels, because their silicon layers are much thinner than those of typical crystalline panels. Thin film panels can be one of three types: Cadmium telluride, amorphous silicon, copper indium gallium selenide. There is not much difference between the three types of thin film panels, but if you need a more extensive explainer, you can contact the friendly solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa today.  

The thinness of these panels cost them a lot in terms of efficiency, but it does make them more heat resistant in drier climates. Also, because of the smaller amount of materials used, these kinds of panels are typically the cheapest on the market. 

For a more thorough discussion of the differences in types of solar panels, or for a consultation about which type of solar panels are best for your home, call Solar Bear Tampa today.  

Why You Should Avoid DIY Solar Installation

While it can be tempting to DIY the installation of your solar panel installation, after all, you want to save money, right? Unfortunately, no. That’s not how it works. 

Solar panels are generally not a weekend project that a homeowner should take on. They are complex and should be installed by a professional company that is licensed and certified in solar installations. 

Attempting to DIY a solar install can often yield more risk than reward. Here are some reasons why: 

Permits and Regulations 

When installing solar panels, you must follow specific regulations and have the proper permits pulled to begin the installation. A licensed solar contractor will make sure that all codes are being followed and have the equipment and expertise to get the job done right. Plus, they will pull the permits for you. 

You may also need approval from an electrical inspector or other city planning departments, which your solar contractor from Solar Bear can help you secure. 

Further, when you hire a professional solar installation company, you ensure that your solar system meets any specific requirements that your insurance company has, which safeguards you against any future problems. 

Proper Placement 

The hardest part of solar panel installation isn’t the actual installation process, it’s the planning process beforehand. Solar panels must be placed in the proper placement to harness peak solar energy. 

You can’t just stick solar panels on your roof and hope for the best, that would be a waste of time and money. If they aren’t placed correctly, you won’t get the optimal amount of energy you need to power your home. You also won’t be saving much on your monthly energy bill either. 

With a professional solar installation company like Solar Bear, you can rest assured that your solar panels will be placed in the optimal position to harness the most energy from the sun. 

Keep Reading> What Direction Should Solar Panels Face? 

Roof Damage

Before investing in solar panels, it is important to consider if your roof is structurally sound to hold solar heavy panels. Many times, we find that client’s roofs aren’t strong enough and that they require some strengthening or support before we can move ahead with installing a solar system. 

Since a certified solar installer should be hired to carry out a structural analysis of your roof before installation, if you DIY your solar panel install, you’re likely skipping this important step as well. 

Additionally, your roof may need to be modified to accommodate the solar panel joists and if you are inexperienced, you can damage your roof, causing expensive repairs and possible leaks.

Learn More > Signs that Your Roof is Right for Solar 

Risk 

Even if you are an avid DIYer and planner, the installation of solar panels is not a simple undertaking. The process is labor-intensive and complex, particularly because there is high-voltage wiring involved. You run the risk of injuring yourself if you do all the wiring work on your own, and if done incorrectly, the wiring could cause a fire, or hurt others in your household. 

Further, solar panels that are not properly installed can cause power surges that can blow up an inverter which in turn could burn down your property. There is also the risk of electrocution if you are near the wires. Yikes! 

It’s simple, don’t try to DIY your solar panels, call in a professional from Solar Bear Orlando instead! 

Resist the Urge to DIY Your Solar Panels

Don’t try to tackle a DIY solar installation, instead, save yourself a lot of stress and choose a licensed, reputable solar installation company like Solar Bear for your solar and energy efficiency needs! 

Ready to get started? Give Solar Bear Orlando a call for a FREE solar estimate today—407-904-7585!

Questions to Ask If Considering a Solar Powered Pool Heater

With winter just around the corner, even our balmy Florida weather can get a little nippy, but that shouldn’t keep you from getting into the pool! A quick search online will tell you that you can run your pool heater off of solar, but should you? At Solar Bear Tampa, we know that you need to understand what you’re getting into before committing to a purchase.

Here are a few questions you’ll want to ask if you’re considering getting a solar-powered pool heater for your home. 

How much do you want to pay to heat your pool? 

If your answer to this question is “nothing,” you’re in luck. Like in other applications, solar power is completely free to you and works pretty reliably compared to other pool heating alternatives. That being said, pool heaters of all types are somewhat notorious for being difficult, mostly because it’s very hard to heat such a massive body of water without losing a lot of excess energy. As you heat the pool, the heat in the water rises as steam, meaning that you’re losing a lot of the heat you’re putting in to warm your pool up. Gas heaters are the best for warming a pool quickly but can be tricky to work with. Electric heat pumps bleed energy when temperatures outside are lower, meaning that your electric heater won’t work as efficiently as in warmer temperatures.

How shady is your yard? 

As will all applications of solar, how effective your solar power will be depends heavily on the amount of direct sunlight that your panels will get throughout the day. This means that if your heater is in a shady place, it will not be as efficient as if it’s receiving direct sunlight. The same is true for cloudy weather–but luckily, Tampa is pretty sunny, even on cooler days. 

Are you going to supplement your solar heater with any other equipment? 

For instance, if you’re willing to keep your pool covered while it’s heating, and then cover it back up again after you get out of the pool, your pool will retain more heat and your solar- powered pool heater will not have to work quite so hard to get the same results as without a pool cover. 

If you are considering a solar-powered pool heater to help you swim during the cooler months of the year, be sure to ask yourself these three questions, and be realistic. As always, if you need help, or if you want an assessment of whether a solar-powered pool heater will work in your backyard, feel free to give us a call at Solar Bear Tampa. 

Selling with Solar? Here Are Some Important Considerations.

While having solar panels installed on your roof is shown to increase your overall property value, we here at Solar Bear Tampa understand that when it comes to selling your home, having solar installed can present different challenges. Luckily, selling a home with solar can also be very rewarding (and in many cases can actually help you sell your home). Here are some things to keep in mind when selling a home that has solar installed. 

Make sure your listing price reflects the increased property value.

In most cases, having solar panels installed on your property significantly increases your home’s value. As long as you own the solar panels and aren’t leasing them, odds are good that in Florida, your home’s overall value could go up anywhere from $15,000 and $30,000. The amount that your home’s value increases due to solar depends mostly on the size and condition of your solar power set up. An estimator or a real estate agent can help you determine exactly how much your home’s value has increased since installing solar panels. 

Use your home’s solar panels to help market your listing. 

These days, most homebuyers are looking for homes with more environmentally friendly electrical options, and solar is a sought-out feature for buyers. Of course, no matter how much a particular buyer would love solar panels, the condition of your system, as well as the size and the age of the panels will affect just how much more quickly your home sells. On average, residential real estate listings which feature solar panels sell 20 percent faster than standard, non-solar homes. This is obviously a plus, and you should remember to have your real estate broker take good, professional photos of your solar power system to include along with your home listing. You can also make a helpful booklet of information about your home’s solar, like the average savings on your electric bill per month, and the typical amount of energy your home’s solar panels provide month to month or week to week. This information will help first-time solar owners be more comfortable and knowledgeable about what the benefits of having solar in their home are, and in turn, make them more likely to put an offer in on your house. 

Be aware of the state of your solar panels and your solar financing choices. 

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when selling a home with solar, especially if you have leased your panels instead of bought them outright, is to keep good accounts of how your financing has progressed. The more information you can provide, the more likely your prospective buyers will feel comfortable making the purchase. 

All told, solar panels can help increase your home’s overall value, help your home sell far more quickly than a non-solar powered home, and help you get the price you want for your house. If you need help or want advice on selling your solar-equipped home, call us at Solar Bear Tampa today.