Solar equipment, including panels, inverters, and batteries, comes with a range of technical specifications that provide insights into their performance, quality, and durability.
With the variety of options in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right solar components for your specific requirements.
In this article, we’ll share with you some tips to help you choose the right solar equipment.
Choosing the Right Components
Solar equipment, such as panels, inverters, or batteries, that is rated as Poor or Fair is typically considered to be of lower quality or outdated models that might not meet current market standards.
On the other hand, equipment with Good, Very Good, or Excellent ratings adheres to well-defined criteria and ensures that your solar system will perform effectively and meet your requirements.
Excellent Rating
Equipment that received an Excellent rating is the most optimal choice for achieving the highest performance from your solar energy system.
These ratings are based on specific criteria that vary for each type of solar equipment and represent the top-tier technology available in the U.S. market. While Excellent-rated equipment might come with a higher initial cost, it offers exceptional performance, quality, durability, and warranty coverage.
Opting for Excellent-rated equipment ensures you’re making an investment in top-of-the-line technology that will likely yield superior long-term benefits for your solar energy system.
Very Good Rating
Solar equipment with a Very Good rating demonstrates performance that is better than average in various aspects. These ratings might fall slightly short of the highest ranking due to factors such as shorter warranties, slightly lower efficiency, or decreased performance under specific conditions.
However, equipment with a Very Good rating still offers robust performance and quality, often at a more affordable price compared to equipment rated as Excellent.
Choosing Very Good-rated equipment can provide you with strong performance and reliability without the premium cost associated with the highest-rated options.
Good Rating
A Good rating represents a reliable and reasonable option for your solar energy system in most situations.
This equipment falls within the average range for the technical criteria assessed, although it may have a warranty that is shorter than the average.
That said, opting for Good-rated solar equipment is a suitable choice for those looking for a cost-effective solution for their solar energy system.
Fair Rating
Equipment that garners a Fair rating represents the lower tier of currently available solar equipment. This category often includes older models that are no longer actively produced by manufacturers and may not be commonly found in stock at solar installation companies.
Although some of these items might have earned higher ratings in past versions of the rating system, their quality has diminished over time due to advancements in technology within the broader industry.
We recommend avoiding Fair-rated solar equipment and considering options with better performance and reliability.
Poor Rating
Solar equipment that earned a Poor rating falls into the lowest category of quality within the spectrum of available options.
Such equipment should be approached with caution and priced accordingly if it’s even available. These products have been outpaced by advancements in technology and the superior performance of other equipment within the industry.
It’s advisable to avoid Poor-rated solar equipment and instead opt for more reliable and efficient alternatives.
Unrated
Lastly, we have Unrated which basically means that an equipment’s technical specifications sheet lacks the essential information required for the rating system. This absence of crucial data prevents the equipment from receiving a specific rating within the system’s framework.
