Solar Panels for Sale

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett-Gardiner

Updated on

Sep 29, 2024

Solar Panels for Sale

What Are Solar Cells?

Solar cells are a series of components that, when placed together, form a solar panel. Ultimately, they create a solar panel system. They are also known as photovoltaics due to the PV technology that is used. The technology allows the cells to generate electricity directly, simply by gathering natural sunlight. You can find out more about how they work here.

The efficiency of solar cells that are being sold in the domestic market are still quite low at around 18-23% on a good day. Of course, technology is advancing all the time, and the efficiency can be expected to increase as breakthroughs are made. Alongside this, the prices will continue to go down – allowing more people to go solar. Solar panel systems are not only fantastic for the environment; they can also save you a significant amount of money on your energy bills.

Solar Panel Prices

It can often be difficult to put a price on solar cells, especially as the price usually includes the entire array and system. The technology is still relatively new in the big scheme of things, and so this is reflected in the price. Even though the costs are 99% lower than they were in the 1970s, the cheapest system is likely to cost you around £4,000.

While the price of solar panels is still set quite high, there are several schemes that help to encourage people to go solar. The main one being the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays you for generating your own clean electricity. You also have the potential to get your solar panels for free. If you opt for this, then you will not be able to benefit from the FIT rates, but you will still save money on your energy bills.

The Cost of Solar Cells Will Continue to Fall

At the moment, the price of solar cells is still quite high. However, the development of new technology will allow manufacturers to lower prices and make the produce more widely available to a larger audience. As these new forms of technology are discovered, so are new ways of making solar panel components. So, in the near future, it looks as though solar cell prices will certainly continue to decline.

At present, the materials required for the production of solar cells are expensive and do cause some pollution during the manufacturing process. The need for new ways of manufacturing solar cells is definitely needed. They will improve affordability, but also ensure that they are made from materials that are eco-friendlier than the current ones.

Buying a Solar Panel System

• Assess Your Energy Needs: Calculate your household's average energy consumption to determine the appropriate system size.
• Research Panel Types: Compare monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panels for efficiency, cost, and space requirements.
• Check Warranties: Look for panels with long warranties (at least 25 years) to ensure durability and performance.
• Evaluate Inverter Options: Choose between string inverters, micro-inverters, and power optimizers based on your roof layout and shading issues.
• Consider Installation Costs: Get multiple quotes from certified installers to compare installation fees and services.
• Explore Incentives: Investigate federal, state, and local incentives, rebates, and tax credits to reduce the overall cost.
• Review Panel Efficiency: Prioritize high-efficiency panels to maximize energy production, especially if you have limited roof space.
• Check Manufacturer Reputation: Opt for panels from reputable manufacturers with a track record of reliability and customer satisfaction.
• Assess Roof Condition: Ensure your roof is in good condition and can support the weight and installation of solar panels.
• Understand Payback Period: Calculate the return on investment by considering energy savings, system cost, and financing options.

Return On Investment

Solar panels aren’t simply a cost; they are more like an investment. This is because they are actually generating electricity for you, and saving you money.. While the price of solar panel systems is still a little high, the system can generate a good amount of savings for the owner, and the SEG assists in boosting the payback period. Here are some of the ways in which solar panels can make a return on your investment, paying themselves back and earning you’re a profit in the long run:

• Solar panels are able to generate pure, clean, and free energy. This saves you a large amount of money on your electricity bills.
• The SEG pays you for all of the energy you produce, increasing your savings.
• All of the excess energy that you produce can be sold back to your energy provider, boosting your savings even more.

Finding The Best Solar Cell Prices

One of the best places to start is with market comparison, as this offers you a great overview of the market as well as the different prices that are being offered. However, the process can be pretty time consuming if you are doing it all by yourself. As a result, you might find it useful to use our price comparison platform instead. It will match you with the best quotes that are closest to you, and from there you are free to choose the one that works best for you. So if you are looking for the best prices in the most time efficient manner, then our no obligation form will have you ready in no time.