6 Things to know before buying a Solar Panel

Commercial solar panel industry is thriving lately because of inflation and high demand of people who want to buy it. Furthermore, it is a lot cheaper as compared to what it was a few years back.

I came across news a few months back that solar panels are hitting their lowest in terms of cost. The US government was concerned about the fact that there are more solar panels in the market compared to buyers. Furthermore, China has doubled production, which risks this industry collapsing. Well, that’s some news, now let’s talk about solar panels.

In 2022, during the recession period, I bought solar panels. My overall experience with the setup and cost didn’t go well, as there were many things I should’ve understood before making the decision to buy. I was obviously anxious due to the rise in inflation and the recession, so I thought it would be a good investment, but that wasn’t the case.

At that time, only a few people were interested in commercial solar panels, and I was among them. Had I waited a few more years, it would’ve cost me 45% less than what the original cost was. In this article, I am going to discuss the main things one should know before buying a solar panel.

Remember that I am no expert related to solar panels but I am sharing my own experience of the process. I will discuss things which I think can be helpful for you. I installed Canadian solar but other brands can be helpful for you.

Choosing a brand is totally your choice as you have to take the decision as per your requirements. Let’s jump straight into it.

6 Things to know before buying a Solar Panel

Here are some main things I want you to consider before buying a solar panel to ease your electricity bill.

1. Determine your energy needs and consumption

Okay, so this is the most basic yet extremely important thing to consider before proceeding with buying a solar panel. You have to determine your energy needs. Some of us want to completely replace our actual needs with this renewable energy solution, while others only want to ease it.

If you are a small household, the better option is to pursue completely replacing your energy needs with solar panel production. That way, you can achieve a better solution and a good return on investment.

2. Roof condition and space

Since my home is just about four years old, roof condition and space weren’t an issue for me. A lot of times, with fancy home architecture, there is little space on the roof.

This becomes problematic when installing solar panels because now you have to adjust them on racks and install railings.

This is risky, especially when there’s a strong wind or cyclone. So watch out for this.

3. Decide the type of solar panel you want to install

It is better for you to know the differences between monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels before you choose one. I personally think that monocrystalline panels are the best because they produce more energy for the space they take up.

They work well if you don't have a lot of room on your roof. I would also suggest polycrystalline panels as a good choice because, even though they are a little less efficient, they are cheaper.

They work well if you have a lot of space on your roof and don’t want to spend too much money. I think thin-film panels are good because they are lightweight and flexible. They are also easy to install on different surfaces. But they don't produce as much energy as other types of panels, so you need more space for them.

4. Cost and financing options

Do not install solar panels on lease. This is the common mistake people with little research make. It increases your overall cost and dependency on a number of additional add-ons, like maintenance, etc. Remember that the purpose is to save money with solar panels and not to spend more on their maintenance and installations.

5. Solar panel company reputation and reviews

Besides all of the main considerations, this is perhaps the most important one. I went through this process like a pro. I took four quotations and selected one that was offering good service. I would really like to thank the company that helped me learn during this installation process.

I searched for “commercial solar near me” and analyzed what each company was offering. After that, I asked for a quotation to move along with my procurement process.

Jinko Solar and Canadian Solar are two of the best brands. I bought mine from A1 SolarStore, and you can do this by checking it yourself. Simply type "commercial solar near me - A1 SolarStore" and visit the website to find more details. In case it is providing services near your location, it will be better for you to check properly before proceeding.

I do not want you to blindly trust me, but do it yourself. I mentioned what worked best for me, and I am sure it can help you as well.

6. Warranty and lifespan

Although warranty and lifespan vary from company to company, the contractor also plays a key role. Sometimes, a company does not respond well to you or provide minimal support with the warranty. In such cases, finding a reliable vendor helps you in many ways. First, you can be tension-free with their support; secondly, they regularly check and offer good assistance so that you don’t face any problems.

Some other considerations

No matter which company you select and what services you purchase, here are some other things you should keep in mind.

• Solar panels help you reduce your electricity costs, but they don’t guarantee you’ll have a $0 electricity bill.
• Although solar panels work efficiently and technology is further improved, you’ll see mixed results in cloudy conditions.
• Net metering is another issue—I would recommend giving up this thought because there’s no way you should spend 50% more money when it can’t ensure your electricity bill will be a flat zero.
• Take at least four quotations and discuss with those who’ve previously undergone this process.
• Do not rely on reviews solely, as they can be influenced. Spend more time doing research and learning, and don’t do this in haste.
• Analyze your requirements, plan, and make up your mind before proceeding.

Wrapping up

I hope this article helped you regarding solar panel installations and the key things you should know before proceeding. For me, this is working fine, and I have no issues, although the solar panels are much cheaper these days. But since they are cheaper, a lot of companies can trick you with expensive services and add-ons. Do proper research and decide accordingly.