Everything you need to know about quality solar panels

If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home, then you likely have a whole host of questions.

· What are the solar panels made of?

· Where are solar panels made?

· What are the best solar panels for my home?

In this blog, we’ll dive into the solar energy industry and give you a quick overview of each of these topics, so you can get your initial questions answered. Here’s what you need to know before scheduling your solar panel installation.

Where Are Solar Panels Made & What Are They Made Of?

While solar panels in the industry are sourced globally, most of the panels used by DIY are made in the US state of Georgia. DIY utilizes the most reputable and efficient solar panels in the industry. We recognize that investing in the materials when building the solar panels is essential to ensuring they last their full lifetime of 25 years. We use Enphase and solar edge inverters. These are not only the most well-known inverters in the industry, but their quality is also backed by inverter companies to date. Additionally, we also use Unirac racking on most of our jobs, which is warrantied for 25 years.

One of the major concerns in the solar industry when it comes to what the panels are made of is related to sourcing. Some companies cut corners when it comes to how they source their materials and import from suppliers that use child labor or harm the environment.

At DIY, we stand against these practices and only contract with suppliers with vetted and ethical products. Having our panels made in Georgia allows us to keep this process close to home and ensure that our rigorous ethical standards are met.

What Are the Best Solar Panels for My Home?

Here’s a quick 3-step guide to choosing the best solar panels for your home:

· Determine solar panel efficiency. You want to make sure your solar panels are working well for you. You can compare the rate that your potential solar panels are providing to the industry average of 16 to 18 percent.

· Check the manufacturer warranty. The average industry warranty is between 10 to 25 years. As most panels last around 25 years, the longer the warranty, the better!

· Compare the cost to the relative efficiency. While efficiency is a critical factor, keep in mind that the most efficient panels aren’t always the best value. In other words, that shouldn’t be the only metric you’re looking at. Make sure you’re also factoring in what you’re paying for and if it’s worth it for the return you’ll receive.

DIY recommends standard solar panels such as the Hanwha Q Cells panel (either 340W or 400W) for your home. This is a high-efficiency module backed by Q Cells technology. This technology powers solar panels to produce a higher energy yield per surface area. It has optimal yields regardless of the weather with great low-light and temperature behavior. Its high-tech aluminum alloy frame also makes it reliable in various weather such as high snow or wind.

The warranty on these panels is 25 years with a linear performance guarantee.

Final Thoughts

If you want to avoid any ethical issues in the solar industry, prioritize a U.S.-based company like DIY that’ll source materials responsibility. Doing this will also ensure that you purchase high-quality and efficient solar panels that are made to last.