Photovoltaic modules often tend to be treated as a commodity, i.e. an asset for which there is demand but which is offered without qualitative differences on the market and is fungible, i.e. the product is the same regardless of who produces it.

Even the way in which the price is treated between operators in the sector and not, or by giving a price € / watt, would suggest that the choice is a pure economic question. Too often the choice is determined exclusively by the savings on the initial investment and consequently on the purely theoretical return on the investment.

Nothing more wrong.

In fact, it is always good to remember that photovoltaic panels are not only a high-tech product, but they are goods that must remain intact and functional for decades, despite being destined to remain outdoors, exposed to any atmospheric condition: heat, frost. , rain, snow, hail, wind.

There are several technologies that have been on the market for years, others have recently arrived and still others will arrive. They are not all the same and depending on the climatic conditions of the place where they are installed, the exposure and the type of system to be built, the differences are decisive and can often prove to be fatal for the future of the system. Furthermore, it is not a product that works alone, it is the heart of a more complex system in which it must go hand in hand with other components and equipment such as inverters or optimizers, therefore it is important that the choice always falls on the best product for that particular situation and not just on paper.

Finally, since it is a product intended for the production of electricity in many cases destined to become part of the structure of the building in which it is installed, it must necessarily meet reliability and safety criteria.

In light of all this, when choosing the panels for a photovoltaic system, the following points must be taken into consideration:

• Technology: the three macro-categories that include 90% of the photovoltaic modules on the market are monocrystalline polycrystalline and thin film, even if the latter is now in danger of extinction. Monocrystalline modules are generally more efficient and more expensive. Monocrystalline silicon is purer than polycrystalline, whose cell is made up of and is made up of particles of different types and shapes. In reality, the differences between the two technologies are now much less marked than a few years ago and if it is true that the "mono" is still slightly more expensive and efficient and produces more in ideal conditions, it is equally true that the "poly" in conditions of lower insolation it produces something more and suffers less from high temperatures than its more “noble” brother. In recent years, technological progress has added half cut technology, PERC technology and even, for ground installations, double-sided technology to these two macro-categories.

• Efficiency: in photovoltaics the term efficiency does not indicate a general good functioning of the panel, but indicates a very precise value: the ratio between nominal power and occupied surface. All other things being equal, therefore, a high-efficiency 300-watt panel will have the same performance as a low-efficiency 300-watt panel, the difference is that the former will be smaller than the latter. Therefore, in principle, high efficiency is really useful when there are space limits, if instead you do not have this problem, you can also opt for a cheaper and low efficiency product. But be careful, especially in the case of large systems, focusing on high efficiency also means fewer panels installed and less cost of structure, cables and labor, therefore the choice must always be weighed taking into consideration all the factors.

• Bankability: a bankable product is certainly a good product in terms of quality and guarantees of duration and performance. In this sense, the “Bible” of the bankability of photovoltaic panels is called Bloomberg's Tier-1. We talk about it extensively and in depth on this page.

• Factory and product certifications: they are not only a seal of quality, but often represent a legal obligation. Although they are no longer decisive for obtaining the incentive as in the times of the Energy Account, they are still required in many cases. For example, in cases of revamping, the GSE asks for the same certifications as the old Conto Energia ( we talk about it extensively here) . Or in the case of roof installations for medium-large sized systems in Italy, the certificate called UNI 9177 is required. Often interpreting the conformity and truthfulness of a certificate is a real puzzle, therefore it is always advisable to contact professionals and experts in the sector.

• Disposal: the photovoltaic modules at the end of their life must be disposed of according to specific criteria. The burden is on the first importer, who must be registered with a disposal consortium and will put a specific item on the invoice indicating the cost of such disposal for the modules you have purchased. At that point you don't have to worry, you will have no other charges and your forms will comply with legal obligations. Utopia has always been a member of the Ecoem consortium, whose membership certificate you can download here.

• Guarantee: there are two types of guarantee: on the mechanical part and on the production. In the first case, a good warranty has a coverage of 10-12 years. The production guarantee, on the other hand, can be up to 25 years and in turn is divided into linear and "step". The first is certainly preferable, as it better protects the performance of the photovoltaic panel over time, avoiding the surprise of a very performing module in the early years that suddenly loses power after a certain age. Another very important factor is compliance with these guarantees. The retailer has a two-year legal warranty, but a photovoltaic panel has a much longer life. At that point, the professionalism and fairness of the manufacturer come into play, and even after many years he must answer for any defects in his products.

• Price: it's true, it's not just a question of price, but it's also a question of price. When choosing it is certainly one of the factors to take into consideration: does it make sense to choose a high efficiency panel, perhaps more expensive than another, if you do not have space problems? Or vice versa is it worth opting for an economic product that does not give any guarantee of duration over time, finding in the long run losing figures much higher than the ridiculous initial savings? Or maybe get infatuated with a super price and then discover that the chosen product does not have the necessary certifications? In short, these are choices that must be carefully considered with the help of professionals in the sector.

Utopia is here for that.

With over 12 years of experience and a unique level of specialization in the Italian panorama, we are able to dispel any doubts or offer our customers the best consulting service, always directing them towards the best choice available on the market.