Updated on: 29th Jan 2016

LG Solar panel Review

LG the South Korean Electronics and Chemicals Giant got into the crystalline silicon solar panel manufacturing business along with a number of other Korean Conglomerates like Hyundai and Samsung. With the government policy of strongly supporting Green Industry through various initiatives to make Korea a Green Superpower, most Korean Industrial Groups have enthusiastically entered most Renewable Energy Sectors with the Korean Shipping Companies like Daewoo entering the Wind Turbine Manufacturing Industry.

The world is experiencing a solar revolution recently. It is expected that solar will generate 16% of global electricity by 2050, from less than 1% now. According to SEIA solar power will hit 95GW mark by 2022, enough to power 19 million homes. This will tantamount to offsetting emissions from 26 coal power plants, almost equal to 100 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Major countries have thus pledged to increase their solar installations and have set aggressive targets to achieve the same. For example, India is expecting to install 100 GW of solar by 2022, USA has extended its investment tax credit for the benefit of solar installers, China continues to be a major market for solar with the country installing ~16GW in 2015 itself. LG Electronics is a renowned company specializing in electronics equipment and solar. This boom in the solar market will be a good point of time for the company to leverage from. Since the company believes in manufacturing and selling high quality solar products, it has bigger markets in more developed countries like USA, Europe and Japan. However its products are also common in China and India.

LG Group Solar Energy Manufacturing

The LG Group is producing solar products through two Group Companies. LG Solar Energy was formed in 2007 to produce polysilicon which is the most important raw material  for the production of solar wafers. It is already selling solar modules in the South Korean and European markets. LG Electronics plans to invest $438 million in its Gumi plant and add six more production lines by 2018, raising it to 14 from 8 currently. LG production capacity is expected to increase its production capacity to 1.8GW by 2018 and 3GW by 2020 from 1GW currently. LG Electronics increased the production output of its facilities in Gumi, South Korea. The factory now uses two additional production lines to create solar cells with CELLO technology. The compny estimates to reduce greenhouse gases in product usage by 150,000 tons by 2020.

Read more about the Solar Energy Manufacturing by South Korean Companies and Buying Wholesale Solar Panels.

LG Solar Panels Review

Source : LG

LG sells  both Monocrystalline and Multicrystalline Solar Panels. LG has introduced Cello technology which increases power output by increasing absorption and cell connection and improves appearance. Its solar panels can be classified into four categories:

i) Mono X plus

ii) LG Neon 2

iii) LG Neon 2 Black

iv) LG Mono X Neon 72 Cell

Other Technical Specifications:

i) LG Mono X plus modules come in 60 cells with wattage 275W, 280W and 285W, with efficiency level ranging between 16.8%, 17.1% and 17.4% respectively. These modules are sturdy enough to withstand pressure load of 100 lb against wind and snow.

ii) LG Neon 2 modules also come in 60 and 72 cells. The 60 celled modules come in 305W, 310W, 315W and 320W. The efficiency levels range between 18.6% and 19.5%. There are four modules available under this category. The 72 celled modules come in a 6×12 setting – 360W and 365W with efficiency of 18.4% and 18.6% respectively.

iii) LG Neon 2 Black module comes in a 6×10 setting with 300W and efficiency of 18.3%.

iv) LG Neon 72 celled are 6×12 modules. Two models are available here in 360W and 365 W, with efficiency of 18.4% and 18.6% respectively.

LG Solar Panel Warranty

LG offers industry leading 10-year product warranty and a linear performance warranty that guarantees a minimum power output of 80.2% after 25 years.

Solar Panel Reviews of Different Brands

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Solar Panel Estimation for your Installation

Calculating how many Solar Panels you need is quite tricky as it depends on the Solar Panels Efficiency,Design of the Solar Array,the place where you live etc.

1) Solar Panels Efficiency – Some Solar Panels are more efficient.For example Solar Panels made by Sunpower and Sanyo are the most efficient which means they require less area.For space constrained homes,they are the best bet but they cost more per watt hour of electricity generated.Click on the heading of this paragraph to understand more about Efficiency.

2) Sun Light or Solar Insolation – This measures the amount of sun light that your solar panel installation receives.Typical Solar Insolation is  around 1000-1500 watt hour per year.This means that if you install 1 watt of solar panels you will get 1-1.5 units of electricity per year.You should first calculate how much electricity you require per year.If you require around 7200 units a year you would need to install a 5 kilowatt or 5000 watts solar array.You can find out the solar insolation you receive from free websites like a) www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatt if you live in the USA and b)re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/countries/countries-europe.htm if you live in Europe.These websites also give you information about the solar insolation/radiation you live

3) Design of the Solar Array – This is very important in ensuring that you get the most power out of your solar panels.The design of the solar array should always be done by a good solar installer.Note this is a fragmented industry but you can find more about the big solar installers in the USA here.You should ensure basic stuff such that there is no shading of your solar panels,the roof does not leak,the materials used are good.Also having a good solar inverter is important.Nowadays you can get individual solar microinverters for each solar panel as well.Note almost 1-520% of the power generated by your solar panels is wasted in converting from DC to AC.