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  Switching to solar power is a good investment for any homeowner, but one of the first choices you’ll face when switching over is where to buy solar panels. The 3 most common options—buying in-store, online, or through a professional installer—each come with both benefits and trade-offs. Understanding the differences between them will help you choose the path that best fits your needs. Buying Solar Panels In-Store Purchasing panels at a local store allows you to see the products in person before making a buying decision. You can compare different brands side by side, ask the store’s staff for recommendations, and often walk away with your equipment the very same day. This can be a good choice for you if you want hands-on guidance or immediate access to equipment. However, on the downside, in-store selections may be limited compared to online sellers, and prices can be higher because of overhead costs. Plus, installation is usually not included, so you’ll need to either hire ...

Many solar users nowadays are adding battery banks to their systems for greater energy independence and reliable backup power. Newer, more modular battery types also offer you the opportunity to stack battery modules a few at a time to expand your storage capacity and meet changing energy needs. But should you buy a full-sized battery bank to meet your current needs right away? Or is it better to start small and expand a little at a time over the years? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of each. Benefits of Going Full-Sized Purchasing a full-sized battery bank upfront can save you money in the long run. Bulk buying often reduces the cost per battery, and you may save on installation labor as well by setting up the full system at once. A complete battery bank, with battery modules all the same age, is more likely to operate smoothly and as a more unified system. With all your components installed at the same time, you can often manage it more effectively and optimize your sy...

Energy loss in a solar power system is entirely normal. It happens at any point within the system where energy is created, converted, or transferred—but every watt you lose cuts into your system’s productivity, and that means a reduction in your ROI. With that in mind, reducing the energy lost at every point of your system is critical to maximizing the benefits of your solar power system. Keep reading to get some tips on reducing that energy loss. Reducing Loss in Solar Panels There are many factors that can impact the efficiency of your solar panels. Some of these factors are beyond your control, such as the base efficiency of the panels as well as degradation of the panels overtime. However, there are still many things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you lose at the initial production phase of your system: 1.       Regular Cleaning: Keeping panels clean of dust, dirt, debris, and snow can maximize the amount of sunlight the cells are exposed to...

A solar panel is a solar panel, right? Actually, that’s not quite true. There are actually many different types of solar panels on the market, including monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels, and PERC panels, with many other types of differentiations in between. It’s important to understand these different categories and their pros and cons so you can decide which type of panel is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about PERC panels and the benefits they provide. What Is a PERC Panel? PERC stands for Passive Emitter Rear Cell. While this can sound like an extremely complicated term, the breakdown of it is quite simple. PERC solar panels are a type of panel designed to enhance the absorption of sunlight and improve every solar cell’s efficiency. Once you understand a bit more about how they work, their name begins to make a lot more sense. How They Work PERC solar panels have the same layers of silicon cells sandwiched between glass that you would find in standar...