Buy Solar Panels: Everything You Need to Know
Investing in solar panels is a strategic decision to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels while saving money in the long term. The prices of solar panels vary depending on power, type, and brand, ranging from less than €80 for a small panel to several thousand euros for complete residential installations.
Consider your electricity consumption, available space on your roof or land, as well as local financial aid, to maximize your return on investment. If you are looking for an economical and accessible solution, cheap solar panels are an excellent entry point into self-consumption. For autonomous or mobile homes, a standalone solar panel or a solar panel kit can perfectly meet specific needs while ensuring simplicity and performance.
Is It Profitable to Install Solar Panels?
Installing photovoltaic panels for self-consumption is very profitable in the medium and long term. Although the initial investment may seem high, savings on electricity bills combined with financial aid allow for a return on investment in less than 7 years, depending on sunlight and local energy prices.
For example, the daily production of a 6 kWc solar panel can reach 25 kWh, providing an electricity bill reduction of up to €2,500 annually. Additionally, selling excess electricity back to your provider can increase profitability. Performance guarantees (30 years) and rising fossil fuel costs strengthen the financial appeal of competitively priced photovoltaic panels.
Questions You Ask Us About Solar Panels
Many questions arise about solar panels, and we are here to answer them. Here are the most common:
How Does a Solar Panel Work?
A solar panel captures the sun’s energy and converts it into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Silicon cells react to sunlight by releasing electrons, producing direct current. This current is then transformed into alternating current via a solar inverter for use in your home equipment.
The generated electricity can be used immediately, stored in a battery, or fed into the grid. To maximize the benefits of your self-consumption installation, it is possible to add a
solar router. This device automatically redirects surplus energy to a water heater, allowing you to produce hot water for free and further reduce your bills.
This simple, silent, and durable system enables you to produce green electricity, save money over the long term, and gain energy independence.
What Is the Best Solar Panel?
For a house, monocrystalline panels are often the best due to their high efficiency (20-22%), ideal for maximizing production on limited roof space. Established brands like Trina Solar or DMEGC, present on the market for decades, offer exemplary transparency about their manufacturing processes and rigorous testing.
These manufacturers subject their panels to aging chamber tests simulating extreme conditions (heat, humidity, thermal cycles) to guarantee exceptional durability. Their power outputs, certified by international standards such as IEC 61215 and UL 61730, ensure reliable performance. For example, Trina Solar offers solar panels from 400W to 510W, while DMEGC is known for its rigorous certifications and robustness.
What Solar Panel Do I Need?
Calculate your daily consumption (e.g., 15 kWh for a family of 4) and check your region’s sunlight exposure. An installation of 4 to 8 kWc (8 to 16 solar panels of 500Wc) generally covers the needs of an average home. The available space on your roof and its orientation (ideally south-facing) are also key factors in choosing the right model.
If you have limited space, consider a mini solar panel or an 800-watt solar panel (2 x 400Wc), which may suffice for light needs or mobile use.
Which Solar Panel Should I Choose?
For residential use, opt for monocrystalline panels from 400 to 510 Wc for optimal efficiency. Pair them with a
quality inverter and, if possible, a
battery to store excess energy and use it at night. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution, choose a ready-to-use solar panel kit.
Are Portable Solar Panels Suitable?
Portable solar panels are ideal for nomadic users (camper vans, boats…), while mobile solar panels are suitable for those seeking a modular and movable solution. You can also opt for a home solar generator if you want to combine production and autonomy without compromise.
What Is the Lifespan of Solar Panels?
Home solar panels are designed to last over 40 years. Most manufacturers offer a performance warranty of 80 to 85% even after 30 years of use. Their longevity relies on robust manufacturing, high-quality materials, and good resistance to weather conditions (hail, wind, heat, etc.).
To maintain their performance, light maintenance is sufficient: cleaning twice a year to remove dust and leaves, along with an annual check of mounts and electrical connections. For optimal installation, it is recommended to hire a professional installer. Otherwise, plug-and-play solar panel kits are perfect for simple and quick installation without advanced technical skills.
And once their useful life is over? Solar panels are over 95% recyclable. Their glass, aluminum, silicon, and other components are recovered by specialized recycling channels to be reused in manufacturing new panels or other industrial products. This makes solar energy truly sustainable, from production to end-of-life.