Are All Solar Panels The Same

They will perform slightly.

Are all solar panels the same.

If you ve already begun shopping the different types of solar panels you ve probably noticed that they don t all look exactly alike. They may look a lot alike but there are fundamental differences to keep in mind. Not all solar panels are the same. Not all tier 1 panels are the same even with that criteria to be a tier 1 panel manufacturer comparing two tier 1 panels can be like comparing bananas and plantains.

Each of them have different capabilities with energy efficiency levels and total installation costs. Having set criteria for all solar panels helps to ensure that all panels are held to the same guidelines and essentially that the same rating system is being used across the board. Standard test conditions stc are the industry standard lab testing conditions that solar panels go through. When solar panels are connected in parallel known as arrays they all share the same voltage and the current that each one of them provides is summed up.

The major difference exists in the cell technology. Factors include types of inverters used whether you have tracking and different levels of solar radiation. Monocrystalline polycrystalline also known as multi crystalline and thin film. They all affect output.

But it s not just cosmetic solar panels don t all perform the same way. Understanding the quality and reliability of a solar panel and the company behind it isn t easy. The brands are mostly unfamiliar and all solar panels look practically the same. Most of the solar panel options currently available fit in one of three types.

And panels are not created equal. Those solar panels used for residential purposes range from 150 watts to 370 watts per panel depending on the panel size efficiency and cell technology.