Solar Panels

The green energy market has exploded in recent years, and solar energy is one of the best environmentally friendly forms of energy production for homes and businesses. More and more companies are recognizing the benefits and turning to solar panels for energy production to provide green electricity to their business premises.

Solar energy as a sustainable investment

Rapid technological developments in the PV (photovoltaic) industry ensure that solar panels continue to become more efficient and energy yields increase. This makes generating your own electricity increasingly attractive for individuals and companies.

How do solar panels work?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are another name for solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. Made from semiconductors such as silicon, these solar cells absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Once sunlight hits the panel, an electric current is generated between the positive charges on top of the cell and the negative charges below. This is called direct current (DC).

Electrical conductors (bus bars) are connected to the positive and negative terminals to form an electrical circuit. From there, the electrons can be collected in the form of electrical current (electricity). This current, combined with the cell's voltage (produced by the electric field or fields produced), determines the power (or watts) the solar cell can produce. This power is released to the inverter via the busbar.

How do busbars in solar panels work?

In solar panels, there are thin strips of copper or aluminum between the cells, called bus bars, that conduct electricity. These bus bars separate the solar cells from each other and conduct the direct current that the cells collect from the sun's photons to the inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) into usable alternating current (AC).

The maximum amount of electricity that can be safely carried is determined by the thickness of the busbar. In solar panels, busbars are typically flat bars that dissipate heat more efficiently due to their larger surface area to cross-section ratio.

In solar panels, the busbars are connected to each other through welded connections. In addition to their use in solar cells, they are often used in switchgear and switchboards. In solar panels, they are usually located on rails, strips that run across the panels. Thanks to this network of larger and smaller branches, traffic can be optimized and the highest possible yield achieved.

Hybrid and stand-alone photovoltaic systems

Hybrid solar panel systems, systems that exchange power with the grid, ensure you never lose power. Once your solar panel system produces more power than your home needs, the excess energy can be discharged into the local grid. However, once your home consumes more power than your solar panels can provide, the local grid can provide the necessary power.

A stand-alone PV system, as the name implies, is self-contained [i.e., independent] and therefore not connected to the grid. Instead, these systems charge local solar battery systems. These types of batteries store the electricity generated by the panels. Once the appliances in your home consume more power than the solar panel input, the power stored in the battery is used.

Stand-alone systems are generally used in areas where grid connection is not possible and are usually more expensive than grid-connected systems because the price of solar cells is still relatively high.

Solar energy storage system

Solar cells store the electricity generated when not being used directly. Solar energy can then be used at night, when the solar panels are no longer producing electricity. These solar storage systems can be used with hybrid and stand-alone systems.

The cost of such solar storage systems is not cheap, but due to technological advancements these cells are becoming more and more efficient and the price will drop in the coming years due to economies of scale.

Types of solar panels

Generally speaking, there are two types of solar panels: monocrystalline panels and polycrystalline panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are more attractive than polycrystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are produced using a slightly different process so that the crystals in the panel all face the same direction. With polycrystalline silicon solar panels, the crystals face in all directions, so they look less uniform and emit a blue glow throughout.

In recent years, monocrystalline solar panels have become the standard due to their higher energy yield and more attractive appearance. Therefore, polycrystalline solar panels are rarely sold.

All black solar panels are single panel sets. These panels feature black busbars and frames, which gives them a more attractive appearance than regular single panels.

Rooftop solar panels or BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics)

In-roof solar panels or BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) are solar panels installed on the roof or facade of a building with a frame. This type of construction is increasingly used in the construction of new buildings so that they are (partly) powered by electrical energy.

The advantage of building-integrated photovoltaics compared to conventional systems is that the initial costs are offset by cost savings. Funds normally spent on construction materials and labor were used to install the BIPV modules. These advantages make BIPV one of the fastest growing areas in the solar industry.

Buy solar panels from Symm Solar

We only sell all monocrystalline solar panels of the following types:

• Conventional monocrystalline solar panels
• All black solar panels
• Rooftop solar panels

Monocrystalline panels are mainly used in large commercial projects, while all-black panels are mainly used in residential projects as they have a nice smooth black appearance.

We have selected top brands such as JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, Runergy Solar and Lesso Solar with great results so that you as the buisnesses or installers can provide the best service to your customers.

How to improve the efficiency of solar panels?

With the right measures, you can maximize the efficiency of your solar panels and save the most on your energy bills. Important factors for optimizing energy production are:

• Place
• angle
• Placement direction
• roof suitability
• Solar panel system dimensions
• Proper maintenance

Location, angle and direction

In order to obtain the maximum possible yield, it is important to place the panels at an angle to collect the maximum amount of sunlight. In the Netherlands it is important that solar panels are exposed to sunlight between 9am and 3pm. for optimal yield.

The orientation and angle of your roof have a huge impact on the amount of sunlight the panels receive. The best orientation for solar panels is to face south, as this allows the panels to be exposed to the sun for as long as possible.

Roof suitability

When purchasing solar panels, it is important to consider whether the roof is strong enough to support the weight of the system. For example, a 5kW system typically consists of 16 18kg panels, with a total weight of 288kg.

Today, most modern roofs are suitable for solar panels, but older roofs using materials like slate or wood may be too fragile to support such weight.

How many solar panels do you need?

Solar cells come in all shapes and sizes. The larger the surface of a solar panel system, the more electricity it can produce. You can get an idea of ​​how many panels you'll need by first calculating your energy needs.

A 5kW solar panel system requires approximately 16 solar panels with a capacity of 340W, while a 7kW system consists of 22 solar panels.

How many solar panels you need to power your entire home depends on many factors:

• Current electricity consumption
• What portion of this consumption do you want to meet with solar energy?
• How much free space is there on the roof?
• How many hours of sunlight does the location have?

Of course, this figure varies by house and location. That’s why it’s important to complete your project with an experienced installer.

The first step is to map out your current energy consumption. It's a good idea to look at some old energy bills to get a good idea of ​​how many kilowatt hours (kWh) are consumed each year. Then determine what percentage of that amount (0-100%) you want to be covered with solar energy.

Calculate how many solar panels are actually installed on your roof. An average solar panel takes up about 1.44 square meters of roof surface. Remember to keep the panels at least 12 inches (30 cm) from the edge of the roof. This distance is important so that wind has as little impact as possible on the panels and stormwater drainage.