subject: Solar Power Modules Orientation [print this page] How do you compare different solar panels? You measure the wattage power per panel. number of Watts Output when it is illuminated under standard conditions of 1000 Watts/meter2 intensity, 25C ambient temperature and a spectrum that relates to sunlight that has passed through the atmosphere.
Solar prices are falling fast, especially with thin-film technology. From early $27 per Watt Peak (Wp) prices to an expected $1 in the near future. At $1 Wp, grid parity will have been achieved in Photovoltaics (PV) and will be able to compete with the prevailing price of electricity.
Essentially, there are 2 types of solar panels. The more expensive kind using crystalline silicon and the new proprietary thin-film technology. CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) is the popular favorite thin-film technology favorite.
The lowest thin film module price is at $2.49 per watt (1.89 per watt) from a Germany-based retailer. As a general rule, it is typical to expect thin film modules to be at a price discount to crystalline silicon (for like module powers). As thin film manufacturers expand production, prices are expected to drop dramatically.
Solar cells become less efficient at converting solar energy into electricity as their cell temperatures increase. However, the efficiency of Thin Firm CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) semiconductor material is less susceptible to cell temperature increases than traditional semiconductors.
Advanced thin film design produces high energy yield across a wide range of climatic conditions with excellent low light response and temperature response coefficient. Frameless laminate is robust and can take a variety of shapes, is cost effective and recyclable as well.
A crucial metric that most look at is the measurement of kilowatt-hours per kilowatt installed. Find the wattage produced by your solar panel into watts per dollar. Most likely, when you are reach $0.15/kWh or better, you are competitive with your electric company.
There are cabling costs battery banks and inverters to consider. Calculating solar output, use an average of 5 hrs per day of sun. Eg. 4 x 80w panels produce 320 watts x 5 hrs should produce 1600 watts or 1.6 Kw per day. A 1000w system would produce about 4 Kwh per day. Most families use between 3-10 Kwh per day. Harness your very own experience with a do it yourself solar panel kit and discover this energy saving technology.
