We are increasingly aware of the importance of renewable energy and caring for the planet. There are many ways to help, but one of them is ideal for a country like Spain: solar energy. The sun is an inexhaustible source and in Spain we have enough hours of light to take advantage of what this star offers us. In this article we tell you what a solar panel is, how it works, the types that exist and the advantages and disadvantages of opting for solar energy.
What exactly is a solar panel?
A solar panel is a platform that captures solar energy and transforms it into electricity. Photovoltaic panels allow sunlight to be converted into electricity and supply the building or area as if it were traditional energy.
In addition to generating electricity, there are also panels that generate heat, which you can use to take a shower or heat water on the ceramic hob thanks to the sun.
How does a solar panel work?
After knowing what a solar panel is, you should know how it works. Solar energy is obtained through the following elements:
- Monocrystalline: the most commonly used on roofs today. They are flat black with cut corners. They last up to 25 years, making them a fairly profitable investment
- Polycrystalline: the most economical and efficient option. They are unevenly blue in colour and do not have cut corners.
- Thin film: as the name suggests, these are made from a thin sheet, not individual cells. They are solid black. They are light and flexible. Mainly used in industrial or utility installations, as they are less efficient and a larger number need to be installed.
Advantages and disadvantages of a solar panel
Next, after knowing what a solar panel is and its types, we explain the advantages and disadvantages it has in the following table:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Eco-friendly | High installation cost (varies by type) |
| Inexhaustible energy | Limited power |
| Reduce pollution | Little sun in your area |
| Savings on your bill | |
| Silent | |
| Little cleaning required |
What is a solar panel? An installation that provides you with a wide range of advantages for your pocket and for the planet. The panels collect energy from the sun, that is, from an inexhaustible resource on the planet. This means that it is a clean energy that does not harm the environment.
As a result, pollution is reduced by using clean energy from the sun to generate electricity or heat, instead of classic fuels such as gas, which, unfortunately, are more harmful.
Another advantage, and probably the one that interests you the most, is that thanks to avoiding using other traditional energies you can save on your electricity and gas bills. Once you have installed the panels, you will not have to pay any extra money for the energy they provide you.
The savings are also noticeable in the little cleaning that the panels need, since you will not need to buy specific and expensive products to maintain their efficiency.
On the other hand, the main disadvantage of a solar panel is mainly its high installation price. This varies depending on the type of panel you choose, but they generally cost around 12,000 euros. The same goes for the limited power they have. Although it allows you to save, it is very difficult to live only on solar energy, as it is still a weaker energy than traditional ones. However, we remember that this is an investment that will easily be recovered thanks to the savings on the monthly bill.
Another disadvantage is the area where you live. Spain boasts many hours of sunshine, but if you are from a northern city, you may not enjoy as many hours. In this case, solar panels will not save you much, since they will collect little energy.
- Panels: The photovoltaic panel is made of a series of cells known as photovoltaic cells. They generate electricity through what is known as the photovoltaic effect, which produces positive and negative charges in two semiconductors, and, as a result, an electric field is generated that ends up becoming direct electric current. This energy is stored in batteries.
- Inverter: converts the direct current from the batteries into alternating current electricity, which translates into extra energy. Most household appliances need alternating current, which is why this step is so important.
- Electric panel: where the alternating current is sent to the appliances it will power.
- Meter: thanks to this device, you can control how much energy you use. In addition, you can see how much extra energy is accumulated during the day, which is used at night.
Do you need any components for your installation? Contact us and we will help you with the parts you need.
Types of solar panels
You already know what a solar panel is, but how many types are there exactly? There is a main distinction between 3 types:
- Monocrystalline: the most commonly used on roofs today. They are flat black with cut corners. They last up to 25 years, making them a fairly profitable investment
- Polycrystalline: the most economical and efficient option. They are unevenly blue in colour and do not have cut corners.
- Thin film: as the name suggests, these are made from a thin sheet, not individual cells. They are solid black. They are light and flexible. Mainly used in industrial or utility installations, as they are less efficient and a larger number need to be installed.
Advantages and disadvantages of a solar panel
Next, after knowing what a solar panel is and its types, we explain the advantages and disadvantages it has in the following table:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Eco-friendly | High installation cost (varies by type) |
| Inexhaustible energy | Limited power |
| Reduce pollution | Little sun in your area |
| Savings on your bill | |
| Silent | |
| Little cleaning required |
What is a solar panel? An installation that provides you with a wide range of advantages for your pocket and for the planet. The panels collect energy from the sun, that is, from an inexhaustible resource on the planet. This means that it is a clean energy that does not harm the environment.
As a result, pollution is reduced by using clean energy from the sun to generate electricity or heat, instead of classic fuels such as gas, which, unfortunately, are more harmful.
Another advantage, and probably the one that interests you the most, is that thanks to avoiding using other traditional energies you can save on your electricity and gas bills. Once you have installed the panels, you will not have to pay any extra money for the energy they provide you.
The savings are also noticeable in the little cleaning that the panels need, since you will not need to buy specific and expensive products to maintain their efficiency.
On the other hand, the main disadvantage of a solar panel is mainly its high installation price. This varies depending on the type of panel you choose, but they generally cost around 12,000 euros. The same goes for the limited power they have. Although it allows you to save, it is very difficult to live only on solar energy, as it is still a weaker energy than traditional ones. However, we remember that this is an investment that will easily be recovered thanks to the savings on the monthly bill.
Another disadvantage is the area where you live. Spain boasts many hours of sunshine, but if you are from a northern city, you may not enjoy as many hours. In this case, solar panels will not save you much, since they will collect little energy.
