We are witnessing a rapid growth of solar energy worldwide – more and more new players are offering their models of panels and inverters to customers. How not to make a mistake in choosing, as everyone praises their own product? How to ensure that the equipment will meet the promised efficiency and lifespan – critical for achieving the ROI you were counting on when buying the station?
I have extensive experience in business and often use my business tools to solve a wide range of tasks. I used the so-called Kano model to choose the best solar equipment, which divides product characteristics into three main groups.
Must-Haves:
These are fundamental attributes that customers consider essential, without which they would not consider purchasing the product or service, regardless of price. They address the basic needs or requirements of the customer.
Example: Safety is a must-have for a flight ticket. No customer would purchase a ticket if they were not assured of a safe landing.
Performance Features:
These attributes directly influence the product’s performance or capabilities and are key drivers for customer satisfaction. They determine how well the product or service fulfills its intended purpose and often correlate with its price.
Example: In the context of an air flight ticket, the distance or range of the flight is a performance feature. Customers expect longer flights to cost more due to the increased distance traveled.
Delighters:
These are unexpected or additional features that go beyond customer expectations and add value to the product or service. They have the potential to surprise and delight customers, enhancing their overall experience.
Example: For an air flight ticket, delighters could include amenities such as extra legroom, complimentary onboard entertainment, or free luggage options, which enhance the overall travel experience beyond simply reaching the destination.
Black-on-black monocrystalline solar panels.
Why don’t we consistently sell solar panels of the same brand?
Solar energy is booming globally. Installed volumes in the solar market increased by approximately 64% from 2022 to 2023. Premium-quality panels are in high demand, especially in the USA and EU. However, logistical issues stemming from political uncertainty often result in a shortage of high-quality panels in various regions. That’s why we select Tier 1 panel brands based on their availability at the current moment.
Differences in Panels
Not all panels are created equal. Panels vary in technology, aesthetics, build quality, warranty, and wattage.
- Technology: There are two main types of solar panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. In short, monocrystalline panels are more efficient, more robust, and costier.
- Aesthetics: We believe that an all-black panel is the most attractive. Other common panels have a blue tint, and some have a white diamond grid. You can have high-efficiency panels in whatever style you prefer.
- Warranty: You should pay attention to this area. A good 25-year warranty will guarantee at least 80% of the initially stated wattage value by year 25, and the actual lifespan of the panels is quite a bit longer.
- Build Quality: We offer panels manufactured under IEC 61215, the industry gold standard. Panels with these ratings should withstand wind, snow, and rain.
- Wattage: All panels are given a watt rating, which tells you how much energy they will generate in an hour of direct sunlight. Most solar panels are in the range of 370-550 watts for residential solar. A panel’s wattage depends mainly on its surface area rather than the technology.
- Efficiency is the amount of sunlight energy converted to electric energy. Most panels are 18-21% efficient.
- Price Per Watt is the cost of the panel divided by the wattage. It is a useful tool for comparing panels with different wattages.
R-Fab approach to solar panels’ selection.
We at R-FAB offer only all-black monocrystalline panels manufactured by BloombergNEF Tier 1 manufacturers. BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 ranking system is a classification used in the solar industry. Here’s what the Tier 1 ranking typically entails:
BloombergNEF is a leading provider of analysis, data, and research in the energy sector, focusing particularly on renewable energy.
- Bankability: Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers are considered financially stable and reliable. They are more likely to secure financing for solar projects because banks and financial institutions view them as low-risk partners.
- Manufacturing Standards: Tier 1 manufacturers adhere to high manufacturing standards, ensuring the quality and reliability of their solar panels. This includes using advanced technology, maintaining consistency in production, and having stringent quality control processes.
- Track Record: Tier 1 status often reflects a proven track record of delivering solar panels that perform well over time. This can be determined by factors such as the company’s longevity, the reliability of its products in various environmental conditions, and its reputation within the industry.
- Longevity and Financial Stability: Tier 1 manufacturers are typically well-established companies with a history of success in the solar industry. They have demonstrated financial stability and longevity, which provides confidence to investors, project developers, and customers.
- Market Presence: Tier 1 status may also indicate a significant market presence. These manufacturers are often leaders in market share and global reach, with a wide distribution network and a strong customer base.
Overall, the Tier 1 ranking from BloombergNEF is a benchmark for investors, project developers, and consumers in the solar industry to identify reliable and bankable solar panel manufacturers for their projects. It assures the solar panels’ warranty, quality, reliability, and financial stability of the manufacturer.
| Feature | Why important | Consideration |
| Must-haves | ||
| Manufacturing certification | The longer the equipment keeps generating electricity, the bigger my solar savings. | IEC 61215 |
| Warranty | The longer the equipements keeps generating electricity the bigger my solar savings. | 25 years |
| Brand reputation | I wanted to trust the brand to ensure the equipment met its promise I opt for panels from Tier 1 manufacturers. | Every year, the panel’s maximum power decreases by a certain amount – this process is called degradation. The lower the degradation, the more energy your station will generate over its lifespan. |
| Performance features | ||
| Price per Watt | A lower price per Watt indicates a better ROI when selecting panels of similar quality. Panel capacity is measured in peak power (Watts). I calculated the price per watt to compare panels by dividing the panel’s power by its price. | |
| Speed of degradation | Every year, the maximum power of the panel decreases by a certain amount – this process is called degradation. The lower the degradation, the more energy your station will generate over its lifespan. | |
| Resistance to high temperature | Every year, the panel’s maximum power decreases by a certain amount – this process is called degradation. The lower the degradation, the more energy your station will generate over its lifespan. | |
| Delighters | ||
| Aesthetics | For me, the beauty of my home is of great importance: I invest a lot of effort and money to make my family’s life as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Stylish black-on-black solar panels don’t spoil the appearance of the house. | Monocrystalline, black-on-black |
NEP micro-inverters.
| Feature | Why important | Consideration |
| Must-haves | ||
| Safety and reliability | Unlike central inverters that handle all panels simultaneously, micro-inverters convert electricity from individual panels only. The low voltage operation of the micro-inverter reduces its susceptibility to damage and extends its lifespan. | A lower price per Watt indicates a better ROI when selecting inverters of similar quality. Inverter capacity is measured in peak power (Watts). To compare inverters, I calculated the price per watts by dividing the inverter’s power by its price. |
| Brand reputation | I want to ensure that the characteristics of the inverter align with real-world performance. | |
| Performance features | ||
| Price per Watt | A lower price per Watt indicates a better ROI when selecting inverters of similar quality. Inverter capacity is measured in peak power (Watts). I calculated the price per watt to compare inverters by dividing the inverter’s power by its price. | |
| Efficiency | Inverters consume some electricity to operate, typically up to 6%. Inverter efficiency is measured as the ratio of AC electricity sent to the grid to DC electricity received from solar panels. The higher the efficiency, the better. | The nominal efficiency for micro-inverters is the same as that for central inverters for ideal conditions, such as a south-oriented roof with no shades and perfect tilt. However, if the conditions are less than perfect, micro-inverters can generate up to 25% more electricity than central inverters. |
| Warranty | I’ve noticed that inverters in Armenia come with warranties ranging from 5 to 12 years. This disparity is significant! The sooner I’d have to replace my inverter, the smaller my savings would be. | NEP micro-inverters come with a 15-year warranty. This is a record for the Armenian solar market. |
| Delighters | ||
| System monitoring | Panel monitoring enables prompt issue identification, allowing for timely maintenance. Remote monitoring offers convenience and peace of mind by allowing system tracking from anywhere. | Efficiency |
| Scalability | Micro-inverters, unlike central inverters, allow tracking of the individual performance of each panel-inverter pair rather than just the entire system as a whole. | I chose micro-inverters to have the ability to add as many panels to my existing solar system as I need. With a central inverter, this is impossible – it would need to be replaced. |
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