The smart way to power your home by converting sunlight energy into electricity
Utilise Solar Energy
How the technology works
As light photons from sunlight strike the silicon atoms of the solar cells, they transfer their energy to loose electrons. These freed electrons then need to be channelled to do useful work, which the panels do by creating an electrical imbalance within the cell by using 2 slightly different types of silicon. There are multiple cells on a panel, and multiple panels are then typically connected in series to form a “string” that can be connected to an inverter.
There are primarily three types of technologies available in the rooftop solar market today namely: Polycrystalline, monocrystalline and thin film. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
Our unique solution
At Energy Partners we install only Tier 1 panels, which is the official ranking for the highest quality of panels (they typically carry a 25 year guarantee). We offer both thin film and polycrystalline panel technology and will select the panels for each home based on specific client needs and conditions. Our sophisticated software will consider optimal panel layout, shading analysis and expected yield.
Energy Partners has also invested significant time in a critical but often overlooked aspect of panel arrays – the mounting structures. These are the fittings that connect the panels to the roof. These need to securely fasten your panels in place while not damaging the roof. High quality mounting structures can add up to 5% to the cost of your system, but will typically last as long as the panels, whereas a cheaper solution will often corrode and fail during the panel lifetime, leading to expensive repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar panels do I need?
Calculating the number of solar panels required is dependent on your specific energy needs. Panels typically require 7-9m2 per kWp. Our solar consultants are experts in determining the optimum size for your needs.
Do solar panels produce more power when it is hotter?
Solar panels are actually less efficient as temperature increases. The ideal conditions are well ventilated panels facing directly to the sun.
Is panel cleaning required?
If panels are installed at more than 5 degrees inclination, self-cleaning is usually sufficient during precipitation.
Will solar panels damage my roof?
We ensure that we always install solar panels with the appropriate mounting structure. Our mounting structure conforms to European standard in terms of quality, water proofing and we always consider the relevant wind load, load/m2 and strength of the roof before installing.
Are panels all the same quality?
Solar panel manufacturers are typically categorised into tiers of quality which relates to how long the panel will last, what the degradation of the output will be over time and how efficient the panel is in converting light energy into electrical energy.