Best Solar Panels – Global Ranking Of Manufacturers
Posted by admin on Aug 16, 2009
In 2007 ENF Ltd., a reputable China and UK based photovoltaic information company, took a brand survey of photovoltaic installation companies in 45 different countries.
ENF is a photovoltaic information company located in China and in the U.K. . Those were the results:
Best Solar Panels
Global No.1 Brand: SunPower
Global No.2 Brand: Schott Solar
Global No.3 Brand: Solar World
No.1 Product Quality: Sanyo
No.1 Value for Money: Suntech Power
Best Solar Panels Inverters
Global No.1 Brand: Kaco Solar
Global No.2 Brand: OutBack
Global No.3 Brand: Mastervolt
No.1 Product Quality: OutBack
No.1 Value for Money: Kaco Solar
Best Solar Panels Mounting Systems
Global No.1 Brand: Direct Power & Water
Global No.2 Brand: UniRac
Global No.3 Brand: Schüco
Best Solar Trackers
Global No.1 Brand: Zomeworks
Best Solar Systems
Global No.1 Brand: Sharp
ENF is a photovoltaic information company located in China and in the U.K.. Their 3 core activities are:
1. Photovoltaic Company Directory
2. Photovoltaic Market Research
3. Trade Services
CEO: Kit Temple Website: http://www.enf.cn
How can you find the “best solar panels” for your purpose?
A good way to start finding out is to ask yourself: Do I want to produce electrical power to run electrical devices in the house, in the garden or on the way, e.g. Lights, Stereos, Computers etc.? Or do I want to produce heat / hot water for house and pool? In this article you will learn how to choose the best solar panels and do both.
Electrical Power with Photovoltaic Panels
Strictly speaking “Solar Panels” are Photovoltaic Panels or Photovoltaic Modules. Solar Panels in this respect convert shortwave radiation, mostly sunlight, into electrical power. They consist of Photovoltaic Cells made of Silicium or other semiconducting materials. (Silicium is worldwide most frequently used). These Solar Panels are available in different sizes, (falling) prices and, depending on size and material, different degrees of efficiency and amounts of wattage they can produce.
Now how to choose the best solar panels out of this wide range of electricity producing modules? Please consider two more things:
- The bigger the solar panel, the more electricity it will relatively produce
- The higher the degree of efficiency, the more electricity it will realtively produce
So, if you have a small rooftop and a lot of money, you may get Gallium-Arsenik-Solar Panels installed. They have the biggest commercial available degree of efficiency (30%) and produce 50 Watt / Kilogram. They are perhaps the best solar panels and very, very expensive.
If you have an average roof and average money, you may consider multicristalline Silicium Panels. Their degree of efficiency is circa 16% and are the best solar panels in cost/performance ratio at the time. Further alternatives are:
- Monocristalline Silicium Panels (degree of efficiency is over 20% at 20 – 50 Watt per Kilogram
- Amorphous Silicium Thin-Film-Panels (degree of efficiency at 5 – 7 %, best solar panels in sales at the time)
Hot Water with Solar Collectors
Solar Thermal Collectors or Solar Collectors, on the other hand, are devices that also utilize the sunlight. They generate heat / hot water and use a technology that is very different to Photovoltaic Modules. Nevertheless are they commonly named “Solar Panels”, too. That especially when they are non parabolic flat and installed on rooftops. Solar Collectors can produce heat / hot water with a high degree of efficiency. Residential installations provide hot water for heating and shower. Industrial Solar Collectors can use the produced hot water even to run electrical generators and produce electrical power. Depending on the different ways of damping the Solar Absorber there are 4 major kinds of Solar Thermal Collectors:
- Flat Plate – Uses common insulating material
- Evacuated Tube – Uses vacuum for damping, is more expensive
- Vacuum Flat Plate – Is flat, has a good gross/net ratio and is vacuum damped. The best Solar Panels for hot water.
- Low Temperatur Absorber – Is a simple absorber, mostly used to heat swimming pools, mostly consists of plastic material and is in the majority of cases undamped. But belongs to the best solar panels for pool heating.
There are some other kinds of Solar Collectors such as Air, Asphalt and Volumetric Thermal Collectors. The latter may be the earliest Solar Collector in human history but in real life you may use one of the 4 common Collector-Types mentioned above to produce heat / hot water.
Summary:
If you want to produce electricity, the best solar panels are photovoltaic panels. If you want to produce heat / hot water, the best solar panels for you are Solar Thermal Collectors. There are a lot of differences in price and performance in both categories, depending on several factors mentioned above. Consider consulting one or several local Solar-Specialists to get advice on location. Consider as well building your own solar panels, save a lot of money and get a lot of fun.
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Video Part 1: “What Do Electric Solar Panels Consist of? How Are They Being Produced? And How Do They Work at Last?”
Posted by admin on Oct 18, 2009
This video is Part 1 of 8 from a TV show that explains the principles and the production of electric solar panels.
The show answers the questions:
– How do solar cells work?
– How are solar cells being made?
- How are electric solar panels being made?
In these videos you learn everything about electric solar panels. What components electric solar panels are made of. What photons and electrons have got to do with it and why clouds do not stop electric solar panels from working.
In the first part, Armin Maiwald explains what electric solar panels are about to generate: electrical current / electricity. What exactly is current and what parts of the sunlight help generating current in electric solar panels?
Although the topics “electricity”, “solar cells” and “electric solar panels” are very complex in detail, Armin and his team manage to put it in simple words and visuals so that even kids can understand, how electric solar panels work.
Part 1/8 of “Solar Cells For Beginners – The Making of Electric Solar Panels”
Since the show is an German TV show, I have added subtitles. You can see the text at a glance by clicking the text symbol below the video screen. If you click a sentence then, you can jump directly to the particular scene.
New Generation Of Best Solar Panels For Rooftops
Posted by admin on Oct 6, 2009
The Dow Chemical Company unveiled their new revolutionary photovoltaic solar panels yesterday (05 October 2009).
Dow’s PowerhouseTM product line provides solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. These new best solar panels for rooftops use low-cost thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium (Di-)Selenide) solar cells.
Thin-Film solar panels are certainly not the best solar panels in respect of efficiency. They reach an efficiency of 20% in the laboratory and 10% – 12% in photovoltaic modules. For comparison: The most efficient best solar panels, using GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) solar cells reach more than 40% efficiency. The second best solar panels in respect of efficiency use Monocrystalline Silicon solar cells (c-Si) and achieve circa 20%.
The Dow Chemical Company has not yet reported, what degree of efficiency their new solar shingels will obtain. But even with rather low conversion rates, Dow’s solar shingles are a very interesting alternative to rigid roof installed solar panels out of these 5 Reasons:
1. CIGS-Thin-Film solar panels are cheaper than silicon and GaAs solar panels. Yet today they are the best solar panels in respect of sales numbers worldwide.
2. Dow’s Powerhouse solar shingles do not need any mounting systems and thus reduce installation costs.
3. Conventional roofing shingles and electric solar panels shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors.
4. The solar shingles can be installed by DIY homeowners, since not specialized skills or knowledge of solar panels installations are required.
5. Single shingles may be replaced easily if damaged.
The best solar panels, which are not really “panels” anymore “are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011″. For more information visit Dow Chemical’s website here: Dow PowerhouseTM solar shingles.
P.S.:
If you like this article “New Generation Of Best Solar Panels For Rooftops”, please leave a comment. Thank you.
Not really the world’s best solar panels, but your first DIY low-cost low-tech solar panels experience
Posted by admin on Sep 29, 2009
This is an experiment you can easily conduct at home. Build your first low-tech anti best solar panels and learn the basics of how photovoltaic devices work.
Chances are good that you have all the stuff you need at home.
- Copper flashing or sheeting
- Tin snips
- Steel wool
- Table salt
- Micro-amperemeter
- Empty 2 liter plastic bottle
- Tap water
- Alligator clips
- Electric stove or propane torch
With this equipment you can build a solar device which is definitely not among the world’s best solar panels. It generates a humble 50 microamps at low voltage which may not even be enough to run a tiny light bulb. But try it. It’s fun and prepares you for bigger DIY projects to make your own best solar panels and drive electric devices in home and garden.
Watch this video. It leads you step-by-step to making your own low-tech non best solar panels. Have fun.
Video: How Thin-Film Electric Solar Panels Are Made At Ascent Solar
Posted by admin on Sep 26, 2009
This video is about the production steps of Ascent Solar’s thin-film CIGS electric solar panels.
Joe McCabe, Ascent Solar’s vice president of business development, shows you, how Ascent Solar produces it’s thin-film electric solar panels. It all starts with a roll of flexible plastic that is being covered with several different layers during the production process.
Actually “electric solar panels” is not really the proper phrase for these flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, since “panels” suggests rather rigid materials. However, this expression is commonly used even for these types of solar modules.
Mr. McCabe shows the process step-by-step, beginning with the bottom contact metal layer over the CIGS (copper indium gallium (di)selenide) deposition, the window layer, the top contact (transparent conductive oxide – TCO), scribing, printing and laminating to the final testing of the electric solar panels.
Thin-film electric solar panels are selling very well at the time. Photovoltaic experts expect them to become the globally best selling electric solar panels in the future. For more information click www.ascentsolar.com
Great Solar Power Lights For Your Garden And Driveway
Posted by admin on Sep 25, 2009
Now you can set a bright tone and add safety to your garden or driveway with solar power lights
CCI Moonrays Verona Style Solar Powered Plastic Path Light
They generate solar power from the sunlight during the day and store it in a rechargeable battery which powers the solar power lights LED at night. Illuminate any area that needs added safety, e.g. steps, swimming pool- and flowerbed perimeters.
The Moonrays solar power lights also nicely mark the edge of a driveway or sidewalk. One white LED in a durable, weather proof fixture casts a soft glow, creates a comfortable atmosphere and gives a life to your garden at night. One charge lasts all night easily.
Each lamp is 10-1/2-Inch tall, easy to assemble and install. The price of these solar power lights is unbeatable. At the time, 9 out of 10 amazon customers rated them 5 stars, one rated 4 stars. He would have liked the ground anchors to be a little bit stronger. Moonrays Verona Style Solar Powered Path Light is a cool snip and adds value to every garden and driveway. Check out these fine solar power lights.
Hybrid Solar Powered Flashlight – Solar Power Lights For All Purposes
Posted by admin on Sep 24, 2009
Whether you are camping or on the road – a good flashlight is useful in many situations. This hybrid solar powered flashlight uses revolutionary solar power lights technology.
HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK (2-Pack)
It generates power from sunlight, stores it and provides 10 hours of run time, when fully charged. It’s super bright energy saving and long lasting 1-watt 2X LED provides up to 22 years of burn time. You do not have to store these solar power lights in the sun. You can store it wherever you want, e.g. in your glove box or drawer. The solar powered flashlight comes fully charged and holds a single charge for over three years. You can charge it over and over again.
Simply put it in the sun or room light for a day. The solar power lights flashlight is 100% waterproof and it floats – perfect for use on boats. It works perfectly in all climates, extreme temperatures do not affect the solar power light. It is very durable and guaranteed for life by the manufacturer.
Customers say: “They really work”, “Does not require direct sunlight to charge”, “These are really useful lights” but “takes a long time to charge if the battery is completely run down” and “the on/off switch should be labeled more clearly”. The solar power lights flashlight has an emergency battery backup.
It consists of two CR2032 3V Lithium-Ion button cells, a common and reliable type of battery for backup power. The hybrid solar power lights flashlight is always ready, environmentally friendly and the perfect gift – for friends and family or for yourself.
Schott’s Electric Solar Panels With Extended Warranty Now!
Posted by admin on Sep 23, 2009
Schott Solar, high quality, reliable manufacturer of electric solar panels, is extending the performance warranty on its Solar POLY(TM) Modules from 20 years to 25 years. The Schott Poly electric solar panels produce power classes of 200, 210, 217, 220 and 225 watts. The output performance tolerance of Schott Solar’s high quality electric solar panels is minus zero watts. So the customers can be sure that every module meets or even exceeds the minimum power specification and every watt paid for is delivered.
Read the full article here: http://twurl.nl/gj1gcm
Posted via email from bestsolarpanels’s posterous
“MindMap on Solar Road Panels (TM), the electric solar panels for roads!”
Posted by admin on Sep 17, 2009
Solar Roadways (TM), founded by electrical engineer Scott Brusaw and his wife Julie, wants to replace asphalt roads by electric solar panels.
Roads floored with electric solar panels interconnect to an intelligent, decentralized, self-healing and secure power grid. It will be able to collect, store and distribute energy to houses and businesses. It even will recharge all-electric-vehicles. Using these road electric solar panels throughout the United States, so the Brusaw’s vision, would produce over three times the electricity currently used in the entire U.S.A. This Mindmap shows the advantages of Solar Roadways’ electric solar panels at a glance (click Mindmap to enlarge):
Mindmap on Solar Roadways (TM). Click to enlarge.
For more information on Solar Roadways’ solar road panels, electric solar panels for roads, click http://www.solarroadways.com
“Take Me Home, Solar Roads. Best Solar Panels to Drive on!”
Posted by admin on Sep 15, 2009
Scott Brusaw, an electrical engineer from Sagle, Idaho, USA, was a kid when he first envisioned “electric roads”. Today, decades later, he and his wife Julie run an organization called Solar Roadways (TM) to make his dream reality
Solar Roadways is planning to establish a decentralized, secure, intelligent, self-healing power grid based on the best solar panels for that purpose. Solar Roadways now has been rewarded a DOT (Department of Transportation) contract that will enable them to prototype the first ever Solar Road Panel, the only and best solar panels for roads.
Scott Brusaw explains the concept of Solar Roadways (TM)
Scott and Julie Brusaw have calculated, that Solar Roadway will pay for itself through the generation of electricity. Based on very conservative numbers, where the used best solar panels have an efficiency of only 15% (for comparison: the best solar panels available have efficiencies of 40%), solar roadways could generate threetimes the electricity that is currently used in the United States.
One plate of the best solar panels for roads, called Solar Road Panels (TM), is supposed to have the size of 12 ft x 12 ft (4 m x 4m) and to consist of 3 layers:
1. The road surface layer is translucent to let sunlight shine through on the solar panel. At the same time it is weatherproof to protect the electronics layer below, it can bear heaviest loads and it is rough to provide great traction even when it is wet.
2. The electronics layer consists of arrays of different cells and a microprocessor. The solar collecting cells convert sunlight into electricity, which is stored by “Super” / “Ultra” Caps. LEDs in the layer “paint” the road surface with road marking, traffic signs and actual warning signs. The LEDs can even illuminate the entire panel. A microprocessor controled communications device is built in every single panel. The micorprocessor also controls lighting, monitoring and heating of the panels. The heating keeps the solar road free of ice and snow in nothern climates.
3. The base plate layer distributes the power, collected from the best solar panels in the electronics layer, and data signals like phone, TV and internet to the homes and businesses that are connected to the solar roadway. It is weatherproof to protect the electronics layer above it.
It may take some years to see roads floored with best solar panels, but Scott and Julie Brusaw’s solar road panels are a good start and a possible way to cut greenhouse gases in half and get rid of dependency on foreign oil. For more information click http://www.solarroadways.com
