Think bigger is better when it comes to solar modules ?

Think again !

Several dealers have begun the practice of boasting about the size of their system's solar modules. Eluding to the concept that a bigger solar module is better, when as you will see, in most cases the opposite is true !

In recent years a few solar module manufacturers have started manufacturing solar modules in ever increasing sizes. Great for the solar module manufacturers when it comes to cutting manufacturing cost, but not so great for the consumer when it comes to installation and replacement costs should an out of warranty failure occur.

When it comes to installation, a solar module that once could be lifted onto a shoulder and carried up a ladder, now requires special lifts or cranes to hoist the module onto the roof. Special equipment obviously translates into much higher installation costs for the consumer.

Ever heard the term "Having all your eggs in one basket" ? Well that's a concern when you're talking about large solar modules. Consider that if you should break the glass of a large 190 to 300 watt solar module and fracture just one cell, the entire module is ruined, and of course breakage is not covered under the warranty.

Once you break the glass of a large solar module, it cannot be repaired because the solar cells are laminated (glued) to the glass. So your basically left with a worthless lump of aluminum, glass and silicon that must be replaced immediately, otherwise it will dramatically effect the performance of the rest of your system. And remember, we're not talking about the type of glass that simply forms a crack, we're talking safety glass that completely shatters leaving the entire large solar module worthless.

Common sense will tell you that the glass of a a smaller module will be more rigid than a larger module. If you had a choice between walking across a framed two foot square sheet of glass and a framed four foot square sheet of glass, which would you choose ?

And the larger the module, the higher the cost (more than $1,200.00 each in many cases) to replace the larger module and the higher the cost to remove and reinstall the larger replacement module.

Another issue which is evident when you compare the specification sheets of several larger modules to that of midsized solar modules is that several midsized modules on the market offer higher efficiencies than their larger counterparts. Why would anyone spend hundreds of dollars more for a larger module only to get lower efficiency ? Higher efficiency midsize modules translate into more power for your home.

In our opinion modules in the 150 to 180 watt range make a better choice. In many cases modules in this size range offer higher efficiencies, are sturdier due to the reduced surface area of the glass, and can costs hundreds of dollars less to replace.

The bottom line is that it's the total power rating of the solar system that matters, not the size of each individual solar module. And as illustrated above, a bigger individual solar module is not always better.