What Is A Solar Panel?
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For most of us a solar panel is the little rectangular bit on our calculator that powers it, not something that can power a house or car. But what exactly is a solar panel? A solar panel (or photovoltaic module) is a series of individual solar cells connected together to make up one large solar panel. Each cell is typically made from silicon which turns the UV light into electricity. Solar panels usually have toughened glass covering the solar cells to protect them. Basically the sun hits the silicon wafers and is turned into electricity, this electricity is then sent through the wiring in the panel to your regulator & batteries or inverter and to the grid.
There are a few different types of solar panels: amorphous panels, mono-crystalline panels and poly-crystalline panels. Solar panels are rated by their wattage, so an 80w panel is rated to output 80watts in a good hour of sun. In Australia we average annually 4 sun hours per day; so a 80 watt panel would output 320 watts per day. There is a lot of complex detail to how solar panels are made and how they work and we know that they turn sun into beautiful, green renewable energy. Have a look at our range of solar panels..
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What Voltages Do Solar Panels Use?
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Different types of solar panels use different voltages. Most smaller solar panels are 12V while larger solar panels are 24V. 12V Solar panels are generally used for applications like RV's and motorhomes while 24V solar panels are used with solar power installations.
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What Types Of Solar Panels Are There?
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| Amorphous panels are great for portable solar applications as they offer greater resistance to shade and are often tougher. This means that they're perfect for RV's, motorhomes, 4WD's and other portable applications. Amorphous panels can be made flexible like the Sunlinq 25w Flexible Solar Panel.
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| These are solar panels made from single crystal silicon and are generally more efficient than amorphous panels. Mono-Crystalline panels are usually used for large scale solar applications. They are very reliable and provide good efficiency. To see our Mono-Crystalline panels click here.
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| Multi-Crystalline (or Poly-Crystalline) solar panels are made from silicon wafers cut from multi-crystal silicon and are also more efficient than amorphous panels. Poly-Crystalline panels are usually smaller than Mono-Crystalline panels but are slightly less efficient. These panels are used for small-medium scale solar applications. These panels are excellent for all small solar applications like RV's and 4WD's.To see our Multi-Crystalline panels click here.
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What Are The Differences Between The Solar Panel Brands?
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Today there are many well known solar panel brands. All of the brands make similar panels with similar outputs. All the panels we sell come standard with a 25 year guarantee on 80% output (so if in 19 years your panel is constistently outputting 70% it will be replaced). Panels are even recommended to last up to 40 years! If you do not see a panel you need on our website ask us about it because we are able to source panels not on our site. We also provide discounts for quantity purchases, be sure to ask us about it. We sell all the major brands including:
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- BP Solar Panels
- Sharp Solar Panels
- Suntech Solar Panels
- Sunlinq Solar Panels
- Sunpower Solar Panels
- Solawatt Solar Panels
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Do You Sell Solar Panel Accessories?
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We have a range of solar panel accessories to suit your needs and budget. We can tailor a complete system to suit your needs, we have: Solar Regulators, Solar Inverters, Solar Batteries and MC Leads. If you do not see an accessory you need on our site ask us about it because we can source many products not on our website.
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Where Can I Get More Information?
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If you would like more information please feel free to email us or call us on 1300 138 483 and ask us any questions! Our friendly staff will happily answer any question you may have.
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