8 Factors to Consider When Buying Solar Panels in Kenya
Every great decision and serious purchase requires thorough considerations and careful planning. When purchasing solar panels there are a number of factors that one needs to consider to ensure that their solar energy systems achieves the best level of performance.
These factors are discussed below:
1. Your Power Requirements
Of course, every household consumes different amount of energy depending on what electric devices they are using, how many people are living in the house and so on. For lower amount of energy, you will need to buy less panels and hence it is very important to know average electricity consumption of your household to assess how many panels will be sufficient to provide the whole house with electricity.
In order to establish your power load, you will need to study your electricity bills and statements for about 3-6 months or even a year. Get your annual usage in terms of kWh and divide by 12 to get your average monthly usage. Divide it by 30 to determine daily average use. That will help you determine how much solar you need to produce in order to power your operations.
2. Solar Panel Efficiency
Panel efficiency is the detail that you should look when buying solar panels in Kenya. Panel efficiency refers to the ability of the panel to convert input energy into output energy. Why is this important?
A more efficient solar panel charges solar batteries faster because it has a higher output. Better efficiency means you also get more power even when the sunlight is not too bright. You want to get more output from your panels.
So, how do you pick which panels through efficiency? The average panel efficiency should be around 15 to 16%. Anything at 17 – 20% is on the higher end.
3. Durability
Since your panels will be exposed to the elements, durability is another factor that you should take into account. Panels that easily break must be avoided since system downtime will take a huge hit on your savings.
When negotiating with solar companies, it’s best to inquire about the long-term durability of their panels.
4. Warranty Periods
When buying solar panels, it’s also crucial to choose solar panels with a longer warranty period. You want to pick a solar panel that has a product warranty that covers a long time. Choose a reputable manufacturer with a substantial warranty period; at least 25 years.
There is this misconception in the market to go for cheaper system cost, however considering the fact that solar energy systems are long term assets to last up to 25 years you need to use reputable products with good warranty and guarantees optimum working conditions. In simpler terms, don’t consider the cost of the system upfront, but consider the amount you can save on electricity bills over the next 25 years.
5. Credibility
The reputation of your solar supplier matters. You need to deal with a supportive team with relevant experience in solar distribution and installation. Carry out background checks for performance and durability of their panels. A solar panel should last between 20-25 years.
6. Power Output
The power rating of solar panels is usually 200-350 watts. Go for panels with a higher rating.
7. Roof Type
This is a very important aspect to consider if you are about to install solar panels. Since houses have different roofs, some of them are not suitable for quick installation of solar panels. Nevertheless, solar panels can be installed on nearly every type of roof, it is just that for some cases it might require a bit more effort and extra costs.
It has also been established that wood shingles and Spanish tiles are not ideal for rooftop panels so having these kinds of roofs may cost you more.
8. Cost Range of The Panels and Installation Cost
One thing that worries every potential solar panel user is the cost range. Since the market and manufacturers of solar panels are expanding every year, it indeed can be very confusing to understand which of the panels are really good, yet not overpriced.
In fact, the price of solar panels has dropped 60% since the beginning of 2011 and this trend might continue. So, while shopping for solar panels keep in mind they are currently cheap as they were 10 years back.
Take into consideration the installation cost too. You also need to pay for wiring as well.
In Kenya, you can get a 200 Watt solar panel from Ksh 9,500 and a home inverter 2kVA from Ksh 38,000. You need to shop around for the best rates, but do not compromise on quality because of a few thousands. Remember, your panels will last for 25 years; meaning that you cannot risk on using unreliable products.
Making the switch to solar can seem daunting and hence should not be done in a rush taking into account the upfront installation cost. Considering the benefits they give in terms of savings on electricity bills, this is a long-term investment that will save you a lot of money in the long-run. Therefore, take your time and identify the best available options for you.
With this handy guide, it should be easier for you to take the next steps towards using free energy for life. You can talk to us today by calling +254759493610 or by filling in our web form.
We are a certified solar installation company servicing the whole of Kenya.