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Visit Earth4 Energy for the Best DIY Solar Panels

Are you a responsible homeowner who is frustrated that you [cannot afford to install solar energy panels on your residence? How come even with all the rebates and government incentives that are available it still costs the average homeowner $18,000 - $30,000 to install commercial solar energy system. Homeowners are being penalized for wanting to join the green movement and businesses like Walmart are getting 10-20 rooftop solar energy panel systems installed in California by BP Solar. Furthermore Walmart has absolutely no out of pocket expense. Where is the fairness in that logic?

Well honestly the price of solar energy panels is going down gradually but in the meantime if you want to take a stab at installing solar energy panels in your home you might want to consider going on line and search for do it yourself solar energy panel kits. Amazingly enough DIY solar energy panel kits are affordable and easy to assemble even for the newbies.

Homeowners that want inexpensive solar energy panel solutions can usually find Do-It-Yourself solar panel kits that use monocrystalline solar cells or multicrystalline solar cells can cut costs up to 50% or more compared to commercial solar panels.

As people start becoming more aware of the need to find alternative ways to reduce expenses and save our precious resources you will notice that the green movement is bringing families together. Together families, neighbors and local communities are starting to make a small difference building DIY solar panel systems. There is a sense of pride developing that together everyone accomplishes a more sustainable environment utilizing solar energy.

Visit Earth4 Energy for the Best DIY Solar Panels

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1. Ask the dealer/installer, what is the warranted minimum or “peak tolerance rating” of the solar energy panels you are purchasing.

Did you know that the average consumer doesn’t know that they could be paying for 200 watt solar energy panels and only be getting 180 watt solar panels? Obviously you are going to want to purchase solar panels that have the “highest minimum warranted power rating. Remember it is irrelevant if a solar energy manufacture claims to have a high efficiency rating if the solar energy panels has a poor minimum warranted power rating.

Smart Buying Tip: Always request and analyze the specification sheet and specifically look for the minimum warranted power rating as that is the only written guarantee of the power rating you will get!

2. What is the difference in buying solar energy panels with a 20 year warranty verses a 25 year power production warranty?

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are two types of panels that have both been on the market for over 40 years and have an established and proven track record. It is industry standard for manufacturers of these proven technologies to offer warranties of 25 years or more. The newer technology has not been on the market as long so the newer technology although could be better doesn’t have the longevity of use to back it up. Therefore newer products sometimes come with a shorter warranty

Smart Buying Tip: What type of personality are you? Are you the Tortoise or the Hare? The Tortoise takes a chance and buys the new technology and the Hare purchases what is known and proven.

3. What are solid ingots of silicon and why do I need to know about them?

Solar energy panel efficiency ratings are based upon how much power the panel will produce per square inch. The highest efficiencies come from solar cells that are cut from solid ingots of silicon. Some manufacturers have developed methods that reduce the high cost of cutting solar cells from solid ingots of silicon but the reduction in manufacturing cost is passed on to the consumer with no significant price break and more importantly a reduction in the solar energy panel efficiency.

Smart Buying Tip  Ask for the factory printed specification sheet and look for the solar module efficiency NOT THE INDIVIDUAL CELL EFFICIENCY.. If this information is not provided by the dealer/installer you should consider shopping elsewhere.!

4. Do you want more rebate money in your pocket?

Buy the highest efficiency rated inverter. All inverters that have been approved for the State’s solar energy program have been thoroughly tested and given a weighted efficiency rating by the State. Inverter efficiency ratings generally range from a low of 89% to a high of 96%. A 7% difference in a moderately sized system can mean a rebate difference of up to $700.00 to $800.00.

Smart BuyingTip ! Buying the highest efficiency rated inverter means more money in your pocket!

5. Test question for your dealer. Ask how much the transformer/inverter weighs.

There are two types of transformers, 1) High frequency transformers which are low cost inverters or 2) 60Hz copper wound transformer which are more expensive but they are  time tested to be significantly more durable and efficient. For example, a typical 3 kilowatt inverter with a heavy duty, copper transformer will weigh about 85 pounds  A copper wound transformer has less of an failure rate.

Smart Buying Tip ! Ask to see the inverter specification sheet. The weight of the inverter if it is copper wound should be around 85 lbs.

6. Don’t skimp on the mounting racks for installation. Ask the dealer/installer if they are using professionally manufactured medium to heavy duty mounting racks.

When reviewing your quotation specifically look for a list of brand engineered aluminum mounting racks. DO NOT let the installer install inexpensive galvanized steel U channels. You are looking for 20-40 year longevity and an inexpensive installation may not withstand high winds or years of erosion. Furthermore you are liable if the solar energy panels happen to become dislodged or become air born.

Smart Buying Tip: Insist on a professional grade medium to heavy duty mounting racks. This is NOT an area where you want to cut corners to in order to save money.

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So can you buy solar energy panels online? Yes! Online shopping has become  very popular these days. All the information, research and resources are available to you through the internet and as consumers are developing more internet savvy and confidence the internet is starting to replace the traditional “brick and mortar” businesses. Retailers are starting to understand that most people have many questions to ask and prefer to do their research online before making a major purchase. When buying solar energy panels you can do a lot of your research online but unless you specifically know what you need, it is advisable for you to gather your questions and research on line and talk to a sales person, technical support or installer before finalizing your buying decision.

There are three ways to get your research done online without feeling pressured into making a purchase:

So how do you choose a reliable solar energy panel company? Three criteria should give you food for thought in your decision making process.

1) Pick a local vendor. You want a company that is logistically close for cost savings on freight and installation.

2) Choose a well known company that has long term stability and can provide many local references.

3) Use word of mouth advertising. Look for neighbors or businesses that already have solar energy panels installed and get their opinion or recommendations.

4) Decide in advance what is important to you, cost, quality, appearance, time, cost savings, etc…..

Listed below are a few solar energy panel companies that should be easily recognizable branded names that you might want to research. These companies have a vested interest in the residential and commercial California market.

SunTech America has an office in San Francisco and is one of the leading global manufactures of solar energy resources in the world. Their solar panels are manufactured using only the strictest quality control measures and their panels are also UL listed.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has two California based offices located in Cypress and Santa Clara. Mitsubishi has over over 35 years of experience in the photovoltaic industry, They continue to lead the industry in its development of high-efficiency PV modules. Their photovolaic modules use 100% lead free solder . Mitsubishi Electric has also been honoured with an award for Good Designing by roof-integrated module.

Sharp USA hails from Huntington Beach and San Francisco. Based upon consumer demand, they just released enhancements to their “NU” line. The NU-U23oF3 and the NU-235F1 offers aesthetically pleasing “black” panels as well as major improvements to the quality and performance of their product.

Sanyo has a sales office in San Jose California. They recently developed “HIT” (Heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer) technology which boasts of a 23% conversion rate.

BP Solar – has a vested commercial interest in the California market as they are working closely with Walmart in converting 10-20 stores within California to PV solar energy panel rooftops.

Finally , it is advisable that you do not purchase solar panels from non-branded or non-publicly traded manufacturers.

Remember, solar energy is a very important source of energy if utilized properly. Solar energy utilization is one of the best ways as well as the most efficient way to overcome the problem of global warming. It is integral to our future that we diligently pursue this resource. Quite simply we can tap into a natural, renewable and sustainable resource such as solar energy by simply generating electricity with the help of solar panels.

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