Differences Between Commercial & Residential Solar Power Systems
Residential and commercial power systems are not created equal. They differ in terms of size, color, and overall effectiveness. Read this blog to learn the key differences between the two.
Commercial solar panels are used by various businesses, governments, universities, schools, and solar farms. Residential solar panels are used in houses, including personal homes and apartment buildings. Because of the varying needs of different businesses, there are more variations in commercial solar panels than residential ones. Here is the overview of the main factors that set commercial and residential solar panels apart:
Commercial Solar Panels Are Larger
A standard commercial solar panel consists of 96 solar cells, while a residential panel is typically about 72 cells large. This distinction, however, is not a harsh rule: residents are free to purchase commercial-sized panels as long as it suits their needs. In most homes, there is no need to use commercial-sized solar panels, but you may choose to do so if you want your panels to be more efficient.
Commercial Panels Are More Productive
Speaking of efficiency, it does not come as a surprise that commercial panels are way more powerful than residential ones. However, the difference in efficiency is not that large, which may surprise some. While the average efficiency of residential solar power is 18.1%, a commercial solar panel is only 1,5 percent more effective at 19.6 %. The effectiveness of solar panels is directly linked to their size. The larger the panel, the more effective it is. This minor difference in efficiency might not be noticeable on the everyday level.
There Is A Minor Difference When It Comes to Color
By standard, commercial solar panels always have white color. With residential panels, the choice is more expansive. One can select either black or white residential solar panels. Black ones are monocrystalline panels. They appear black because monocrystalline interacts with light in a certain way. Nowadays, choosing a specific color of a solar panel is more a matter of personal style than anything else. Black solar panels fit certain exteriors more stylishly. White solar panels have a capacity to stay cool for a longer time, which might be a factor in some installations.
Mind The Installation
When it comes to installing solar panels, there are various mounting systems available on the market. Systems can be fixed (the panel does not move along with the sun) or track (the system moves together with the sun). Moreover, a solar system may be installed on the ground or the roof.
However, the most popular solar mounting system is a roof-mounted solar system installed on the roof. This is equally true for both residential and commercial solar panels. There is, however, a difference that stems from the type of roofs used in businesses and personal homes.
Commercial buildings often have flat roofs, while the tops of residential buildings are more likely to be angled. For this reason, the installation of commercial solar panels is easier.
However, things are not that simple. Commercial solar systems can consist of hundreds of panels. So the installation is likely to take weeks or even months because of how large the system is. Meanwhile, the residential solar system consists only of a few panels, so even if the installation process runs into difficulties because of the roof structure, it will only take a couple of days.
