What Are the Benefits of Solar PV Panels?

What Are the Benefits of Solar PV Panels?

Now that you know what a PV panel is and how it works, it’s time to know the benefits of using this technology.

 

Here is a summary of the advantages of solar energy:

 

It’s Renewable and Abundant

The most important benefit of solar energy is that it is available every day, and we won’t run out of it. According to scientists, the sun will be shining for at least 5 billion years, providing us with solar energy.

It’s Clean and Environmentally-Friendly

Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy has no harmful impact on the environment. So when you use solar energy, you’re contributing to saving the planet earth.

 

The Maintenance Costs Are Low

Fortunately, there are not many moving parts in solar energy systems, and subsequently, they don’t require a lot of maintenance cost.

 

Almost all reliable manufacturers offer a 20-25 years warranty for their solar panels. You only need to keep the surface of the panels relatively clean.

 

Using Solar Energy Reduces Your Electricity Bills

The more electricity you get from solar panels, the less you’re dependent on the grid, and as a result, the more your energy bills will drop.

 

Of course, if you want to cover large chunks of your energy bills, you need to use large commercial solar panel systems.

You Can Earn Money with Solar Panels

 

Simply put, you can export renewable energy to the grid and get tariffs from energy companies. So you can use solar panels as a wise investment and earn a small income on the side.

 

What Types of PV Modules Are There?

The photovoltaic field is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the world, providing us with different options to use.

 

There are three different types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.

 

In addition, there are two system types: grid-connected and off-grid.

 

We cover the various differences below:

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels

These PV cells are made of single-crystal silicon and are the purest form of photovoltaic cells. They usually have a uniform dark look, and their edges are rounded in solar panels.

 

Silicon's high purity allows more room for electrons to move. This makes them the most efficient type of solar panel, with rates of above 20%.

 

2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

You can easily distinguish these cells because their angles are not cut in the PV panels. They are usually blue and manufactured by melting raw silicon, which is a faster and cheaper process than that used for monocrystalline cells.

 

However, they have a lower efficiency of around 15%.

3. Thin-Film Solar Panels

Thin-film solar cells are manufactured by placing one or more films of photovoltaic material onto a substrate such as glass, plastic, or metal. The photovoltaic material can be silicon, cadmium, or copper. Due to less material needed for production, thin-film solar cells are the easiest and the least expensive kinds of solar cells.

 

Grid-Connected vs Off-Grid Systems

Additionally, PV systems can be categorised in terms of being connected to the grid. In this regard, we have two main PV systems:

 

Off-Grid Systems

These are systems that are not connected to the grid. They are generally used to cover the electricity needs of remote buildings or vacation homes which have no access to the public grid.

 

These panels are a convenient option since they do not require special permits from electricity distribution companies.

 

However, since they are 100% independent, off-grid systems generally require an additional generator or solar batteries to have electricity when the sun is not shining.

 

Grid-Connected Systems

These systems are connected to the grid, which means you can use electricity from the power company when you need it.

 

When you don’t, you can use the electricity generated by your panels for your personal use, and you can also choose to sell all, or the excess, back to the grid.

 

What About Lifespan of a Photovoltaic Module?

One of the very positive aspects of investing in photovoltaics is that the product has a long lifespan. The exact number depends on different variables such as the quality of the panel and climatic conditions, but generally, PV modules will last more than 40 years.

 

Moreover, PV systems require very little maintenance, and they usually come with a 25-year performance warranty.

 

However, solar PV inverters, which are the ones in charge of converting solar DC to grid AC electricity, might need to be replaced after 12 to 15 years and usually come with a 5-year guarantee.

 

With an average lifespan of 25 years, solar cell waste in the world can reach up to 78 million tons by 2050. That’s why developing technologies for recycling solar panels has now drawn the attention of experts and policymakers in developed countries.

 

The Future of Photovoltaics

It’s also good to know the prospect of photovoltaic technologies to choose a wise approach to use PV panels or even invest in them.