BUYER S GUIDE: Comparing the Top Solar Panel Brands

BUYER S GUIDE: Comparing the Top Solar Panel Brands

BUYER S GUIDE: Comparing the Top Solar Panel Brands Likelihood being, you ve done some research on the benefits of solar panels and solar technology and have now found yourself asking the question, Which brand should I go with? The decision over which brand to allow to alter your home for the next 25 to 30 years can seem overwhelming, and oftentimes the key differences can be difficult to spot when looking from one website to another, one review to the next. This guide is intended to make this decision an easier one and to put information in order so that you can make an educated decision when it comes to improving the value and efficiency of your home and power system. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY? In case you don t already know all of the benefits of solar energy and are currently just deciding upon which brand to ask more questions of and get involved with, here is a small summary of what solar energy can do for you and your home. Saves You Money Solar energy is absolutely one of the most inexpensive ways to heat your pool. You won t be paying to run a heating pump because energy from the sun is free. Most of the time, solar systems can be hooked up to a pre-existing pool pump too, so you won t have additional purchases. The cost for the system and installation usually pays for itself within 1 to 3 years. Inexpensive to Operate With solar pool heating, there are no additional monthly operating costs. Gas pool heaters often spike your utilities bill due to the high cost of fuel. An average outdoor swimming pool in Atlanta, Georgia heated with a gas pump generates about $1,704 per year during the swimming season. The additional cost for a Heliocol solar pool heating 2

system can be as little as $30 to $74 per year if you choose to extend your pump s run time. Long Lifespan Solar pool systems generally come with 12 year warranties (compared to 1-5 years for heating alternatives) and an expected lifespan of 15-20 years. The typical payback for a solar pool system when compared to other heating alternatives is 2-3 years. Savings over the lifetime of the system far outweigh the investment. Benefits the Environment Solar energy has always been known as a benefit to the environment, reducing drain on electrical sources and avoiding CO2 emissions from machines such as traditional water heaters. By switching to solar panels, you can improve the air quality in your own community and ensure that you re doing your part to guarantee a healthy planet for your children, grandchildren and so on. Allow Freedom to Enjoy Your Property No longer will you need to be concerned over whether or not you should heat your pool. With solar energy, the installation and maintenance are the only costs involved. With energy provided by the sun, you are free to heat your pool year round without fear of skyrocketing your utility bill or damaging the environment. WHY A PROFESSIONAL IS A NECESSITY Some look at solar panel technology and believe they could easily alter their home on their own. However, the task of properly installing solar panels may appear easier than it truly is. There is also a lack of quality assurance in this scenario, among several other concerning factors. Personal Safety Without the proper training and necessary equipment, installing solar panels correctly is nearly impossible. Working with large instruments on a roof when you are unpracticed and unsure of what you are working on is a recipe for disaster and is highly unadvised. Always contact a professional to handle the installation of panels. 3

Panel Safety Perhaps you have successfully gotten possession of quality solar panels, which could be an expensive endeavor. An attempt to install these costly items without the proper training or experience could mean ruining the panels you ve purchased. Purchasing panels wholesale and then self-installing also means you will have zero protection when it comes to getting the panels fixed should something go wrong, whether that be during the installation or damage caused later down the road. Correct Installation There are factors that need to be considered when installing solar panels to make sure you get the most out of the purchase. Trained professionals know ideal placement in order to provide your home with the most energy and largest savings possible. When installing panels yourself, you run the risk of misplacement, which could actually cost you in the long run and cause your investment in what is supposed to be money and energy saving equipment to be negated. Property Damage The improper installation of solar panels during a DIY installation could also end up damaging your home unnecessarily. Improper placement on a roof could result in a collapse, not only resulting in expensive damage to your home but also possibly injuring yourself or a family member. Breaking the Law If you re performing a DIY installation of solar panels on your home, you could actually be breaking the law. Unless you are a licensed electrician, it is illegal for you to connect the wiring of your installation. 4

With many professionals available at places such as Superior Solar, there s no reason to risk life and limb, fines, property damage, or loss of efficiency. What you would save in avoiding a professional installation you would almost certainly lose that and more in an attempt to install this significant and complicated equipment on your home. AQUATHERM SOLAR POOL HEATING VS. HELIOCOL So you ve decided to go the proper route of having a professional provide and install solar panels on your home. However, now you are faced with the task of names being thrown before you and trying to decipher which is best for you and your home. Knowing the differences between companies and services is vital, as the wrong choice can result in a loss of money and time. Quality & Materials Aquatherm Solar Pool Heating systems use rubber hoses, a culprit known for leaving stains on your roof due to various weather conditions. This rubber can also become sun-damaged over time, resulting in them needing to be replaced. These rubber hoses are also held together by metal clamps which must be checked and tightened every year in order to prevent leaks, resulting in possible loss of efficiency and a definite loss in money and time spent on excess maintenance. All parts of Heliocol Solar Panels are made of medical grade plastic. These panels also have a patented connection which results in a permanent, maintenance-free fitting. Installation Aquatherm panels are installed using straps to keep them in place. The key flaw in this installation is that high winds can cause the connections to become loose, resulting in leaks in the roof and even damaging the solar panels. This defeats the purpose of investing in long-lasting, efficient energy. Heliocol panels are designed to be anchored to the roof s trusses. Certified to handle hurricane wind speeds, no straps are necessary to make sure these panels stay in place. The lack of straps also means that fewer holes need to be placed in your roof, resulting in a far lower likelihood of leaks or other damage that could affect your home and the efficiency and proper function of your solar panels. 5

Design Heliocol panels utilize a design made up of individual tubes. Spacing between the tubes allows rain to evaporate in order to avoid excess moisture on your roof. The spacing also allows for the safe passage of wind over the roof and between the solar panels to avoid damage and make sure your investment lasts as long as possible. Flat roofs require a special fitting different from the kind which is suited for slanted roofs. Heliocol are currently the only panels suitable for flat roofs. While there are many differences between these two panels, the decision comes down to which suits your needs best and finding a company that prioritizes your needs over their own. For a free analysis and quote to help you decide what is right for you, please contact Superior Solar. FAFCO SOLAR PANELS VS. HELIOCOL Performance Heliocol HC Solar Panels provide approximately four percent more energy per day than Fafco Sunsaver Panels. Maintenance As mentioned before, Heliocol Solar Panels are made entirely of durable, medical grade plastic. This means that unlike panels made of rubber hosing and metal clamps like that of Fafco, there will be no unsightly stains, no yearly maintenance, and no need for replacement of deteriorating parts. Warranty As with any product, there is always the chance that something can go wrong. Heliocol provides a worry-free warranty policy, which includes all panels, labor and parts for 12 years as well as a lifetime warranty. Fafco only guarantees panels and labor, which means paying out of pocket for any parts that may need replacing. Considering the rubber hoses, metal clamps, and nylon straps that Fafco uses, the likelihood that materials will be damaged, worn out, or need replacing is high. This results in an almost guaranteed excess cost post-purchase. 6

Flexibility Aesthetics are important when it comes to your home. That s why Heliocol offers three colors to choose from to help customers be able to better match the roof of their homes. The colors include black, terracotta and grey. Fafco solely offers black paneling. Less Damage to Existing Structures In order to accommodate high wind conditions, Fafco Solar Panels require straps to hold down their panels, putting holes in your roof and increasing risk for leaks. Heliocol has a patented design and mounting system which allows their panels to resist hurricane force winds without the need for straps or excess holes in your roof. HI-TEC SOLAR PANELS VS. HELIOCOL Highest Energy Production Heliocol Solar Panels produce more energy than panels like Hi-Tec. Working strong in a large variety of weather conditions, Heliocol panels are also longer-lasting than panels like Hi-Tec, in part due to their design and also due to choice of materials. Maintenance As stated in the previous comparisons, Heliocol panels are a maintenance-free design made up of durable, medical grade plastic. Rated to last twenty years and more, Heliocol panels also include a lifetime warranty to ensure that should anything happen, they still have you covered in both the long and short term. Hi-Tec panels caps their warranty at a maximum of 12 years. Technology Heliocol is interesting in particular due to the technology involved when it comes to the distribution of its energy and how it heats pools. Sensors monitor you pool warmth while simultaneously accounting for available sunlight, making sure heat is pushed out only when necessary and in the correct volume in order to conserve energy. 7

While Hi-Tec offers similar technology, theirs is not optimized for efficiency, such that it produces maximum value. Heliocol panels have as much as 26% more heat than Hi- Tec panels. WHICH SOLAR PANELS PRODUCE THE BEST BTUS? BTUs (British Thermal Units) are a way of measuring how efficiently your solar panels are collecting energy. The following readouts are based on an eight panel solar unit. Heliocol: 608,970 BTUs per day 76,121 BTUs per panel per day Techno-Solis: 585,044 BTUs per day 73,131 BTUs per panel per day Fafco: 584,637 BTUs per day 73,080 BTUs per panel per day Aquatherm: 553,344 BTUs per day 69,168 BTUs per panel per day Hi-Tec: 483,437 BTUs per day 60,430 BTUs per panel per day 8

These numbers reveal that Heliocol solar panels are the most efficient on the market and are going to get you the most energy for the money that you ve chosen to invest. HELICOL S MAIN ADVANTAGES 1. These panels are designed to be mounted to the trusses of a home and to be able to expand and contract with their environment. 2. Heliocol can be added onto existing plumbing. 9

3. Heliocol is currently the only system capable of providing solar panels for flat roofs. 4. These panels are designed in one-foot-wide sections to maximize spacing and avoid obstructions. 5. The no-roof-leak guarantee is only offered by Heliocol, showing they stand behind their product and putting you at ease that your home will remain in its good condition. 6. Due to the durable, medical grade plastic Heliocol panels are constructed with and their patented design, no maintenance is required. 7. Heliocol panels are designed to withstand hurricane force winds without the need for straps that create holes in your roof. 8. Heliocol offers its panels in black, terracotta and grey in order to match your home s aesthetic. Many competitors only offer black. EXAMPLES OF HELIOCOL SOLAR POOL SAVING 1. U.S. Naval Station Recreational Pool Many may not realize the amount you can save on your pool when you invest in solar panels for your home. At the U.S. Naval Station in San Diego, California, their 7500 square feet Olympic-sized swimming pool stays a warm 82 degrees Fahrenheit year round. How does such an enormous pool accomplish this without bleeding the base dry over energy costs? The Naval Station had Heliocol solar panels installed. One might wonder how then did they stomach the cost of the solar panels able to accomplish this task. In less than a year, the Naval Station was able to make a full return on their investment. The pool continues to be maintained at a perfect temperature by these panels, allowing service men and women access without concern. 2. Aquatic Center Georgia Tech Summer 1996 In 1996, the Georgia Tech campus was home to the Summer Olympic Games. The covered 50-meter pool utilized for the event holds over one million gallons of water. Strict Olympic regulations dictate that event pools must maintain a certain temperature, and with a structure this large the job of any heater was likely to be 10

difficult and expensive. However, they were able to accomplish the task for a relatively low cost with Heliocol solar panels installed in order to maintain the temperature of the pool. Two decades later, Georgia Tech boasts an annual savings of $12,000 a year post-installation. They re going on 20 years, which means nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been saved by the installation of this top-line solar technology. 3. El Cid Mega Resort With five pools and nearly 40,000 square feet of pool surface area, the El Cid Mega Resort doesn t shy away from offering the ultimate pool experience to their guests. However, structures like these and in this number likely means high costs. In 1993, El Cid was spending roughly $700 a day to maintain their pools and meet their water needs. After installing Heliocol solar panels, it took them just 18 months to make back a return on their investment. In fact, El Cid had such a large amount of success with the first 25,000 square feet of panels they installed, they ended up having an additional 18,000 square feet added to it. Of course you are not going to need the level of solar panels found at a naval base, an Olympic pool site, or a mountain resort. But regardless of the amount needed for your home, this is evidence that even the most impossible and expensive pool situations can be completely turned around by the installation of Heliocol solar panels. With such little time in order to see a return and the obvious satisfaction from several sources, it s clear to see while Heliocol solar panels like those provided by Superior Solar are what s necessary to ensure you get the most out of your solar technology and your home. FINAL RECOMMENDATION This guide recommends Heliocol Solar Panels as the best option on the market to get the most out of your solar panels, maintain your home, and ensure that your investment lasts you upwards of twenty years with a lifetime warranty. If you re interested in Heliocol Solar Panels for your home, there are reputable dealers like Superior Solar available to help you with any further questions and provide you with the best product available. For a free quote or to answer any questions about Heliocol Solar Panels, please contact or visit Superior Solar. 11

About Superior Solar The Superior Solar legacy has been trusted by tens of thousands of clients since 1984. Specializing in residential & commercial solar electric, water heating, and pool heating applications, we have grown to become the solar energy leader in the Central Florida community. Our unwavering commitment to quality solar energy solutions and bestin-class service sets us apart. Whether you re harvesting solar energy for your home or for your commercial property, Superior Solar offers only optimal solar solutions to ensure you re saving green -- both in the environment and in your wallet. Tel: 407.331.9077 Fax: 407.331.0305 955 Sunshine Lane Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 State Certified Solar Contractor License #CVC56896 12