…it’s difficult, isn’t it?

I have a small list over here that you may find useful. It reveals the top few solar panel and inverter manufacturers you can choose from.

The reason these brands make the best buy is because of the awards they receive and good feedback from many users.

For solar panels, you can choose from SunPower (USA), Schott Solar (Germany) or SolarWorld (Germany).

If you are the type who insists on excellent product quality, you should be looking at Sanyo (Japan) solar panels.

However if what you are looking for is the best value for money, you can consider buying from Suntech (China).

Having said this, it is also important to be assured that the photovoltaic cells within the solar panels are of good quality. If you have an eye for details, check out Sharp, Q-Cells and BP Solar.

Solar panels need to be mounted on a supporting structure such as the roof. As such, you’ll need good solar mounting systems. The recommended brands are Direct Power and Water (USA), UniRac (USA) and Schletter (Germany).

Certainly, you’ll also require inverters for your solar panels array. You have a choice to buy from either Kaco (Germany), OutBack (USA) or Mastervolt (USA).

Among these options, Outback is touted to have the best product quality while Kaco has the best price. This may change from time to time, so it’s worth checking all 3 of them out.

If you have the budget, you can maximize your solar power output by orientating it towards to sun through the day. Solar trackers are great devices for doing this. The best company to approach is Zomeworks (USA).

Hope this helps…

Continue Reading:

1. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 3
2. Solor Panel Inverters – Stand-Alone Solar Panel Inverters
3. Solor Panel Inverters – Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters

In general, there are 3 major types of solar panels – portable, residential and commercial solar panel systems.

Portable solar panels are very small products that can supply low voltages (and limited power) to handheld or portable gadgets. There are rollable solar chargers, foldable solar panels and small, thin-film panels. The type of solar panel to be used depends on your application.

Residential and commercial solar panels are made using either crystalline silicon, thin-film or string-ribbon technology. They are much larger than portable solar panels and require inverters to convert direct current to alternating current. This conforms the electricity supply to the requirements of the household or commercial electricity supply.

Choosing a suitable brand is another major consideration. Purchasing from leading solar panel brands ensure that you have the service and advice that will most likely serve your needs. When it comes to repair and maintenance, spare parts and labor are adequately catered for – more so in larger companies than in smaller mom and pop shops.

Here is a list of leading solar panels brand: BP Solar, Evergreen Solar, General Electric, AEE Solar, Kaneka, Mitsubishi Electric, Kyocera, Sanyo, SunWize, Suntech, Sharp and Uni-Solar.

There are professionals in these companies that can help you size your solar power system. With your average power consumption figures and number of sun hours at your location, they can determine the specifications you need for your solar panels and other related components.

Depending on your budget, you may be advised to install as many solar panels as is required to supply all your household electricity needs. Or you can install the solar panels in stages. The specifications for each option are different and it is important to purchase a system that fits your requirement so you’ll not spend more money than necessary.

Along with solar panels, other necessary components for a home solar power system are inverters, batteries and mounts. These, too, have different specifications and you’ll need to choose one that suits your need.

Another consideration when buying solar panels is the warranty period. Companies offer different warranty periods and it is important to check that this period is much longer than the calculated payback period.

Keeping these pointers in mind as you shop for solar panels, you are better equipped to buy solar panels that can serve you for decades and put money back into your pocket.

Continue Reading:

1. Flexible Solar Panels
2. Solar Energy Panels — Solar Trickle Chargers
3. Important Facts And Properties of A Solar (PV) Panel You Must Know About (Part 2 of 3)