Photovoltaic panels
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Photovoltaic panels: three different worlds under the same name
Before looking at the watts, it is worth understanding which of the three cases you are in, because the products are not interchangeable. There is the grid-tied system, with 400 to 570W modules sold by the pallet and intended for the roof of a house or a warehouse. There is the off-grid system, disconnected from the grid, with small 15 to 180W panels at 12 or 24 volts for cabins, campers, boats, sheds, and autonomous lighting. And there is the balcony PV system, a plug-and-play kit with an already integrated microinverter, designed for those who cannot work on their roof.
Selection table
| Situation | What you need | Also required |
|---|---|---|
| Grid-tied roof system | 400–570W monocrystalline modules, 108 or 144 cells, in pallet kits | Inverter, meter, solar cable, structure, certified installer |
| Cabin, shed, or small house without grid connection | 15–50W off-grid kit with charge controller and lamps included | 12V storage battery |
| Camper, boat, or more demanding autonomous system | 105–180W panels at 12 or 24V | Charge controller, dedicated supports, battery |
| Apartment, no roof access | 300 or 600W balcony kit with plug-and-play WiFi microinverter | Railing brackets, notification to the distributor |
| Complete system with storage, turnkey | Preconfigured hybrid inverter + lithium battery kit | Design and professional installation |
How to read the specifications on the modules
Monocrystalline: cells made from a single silicon crystal, higher efficiency for the same surface area. It is now the de facto standard for residential use.
108 or 144 cells: indicates the module format and therefore the physical size. The 144-cell modules are longer, so they must be checked against the available roof space before ordering.
Full black: black frame, cells, and backsheet. The efficiency does not change significantly, but the visual impact does — this is often a deciding factor in areas with landscape restrictions or simply for aesthetics.
Voltage (24.3V, 37.2V, 41.6V): on panels for off-grid systems, this is the figure to match with the charge controller and battery; on grid-tied modules, it is part of the string calculation performed by the designer.
Pro tip. Two things worth knowing before you order. First: large-format modules are sold by the pallet — the 31 or 36-panel kits are not a special commercial offer, they are the minimum shipping unit, and you need a vehicle with a tail lift and space to unload. Second: in an off-grid system, the panel is the easy part. What determines if it actually works are the charge controller and battery, sized according to nighttime consumption: a large panel with a small battery is a waste of money.
Frequently asked questions about photovoltaic panels
How many panels are needed for a house?
You start from the annual consumption in kWh and the productivity of the area, which is significantly higher in the South than in the North, then you account for orientation, inclination, and shading. It is a design calculation: rough estimates based on the number of panels almost always lead to systems that are either under- or over-dimensioned.
Can a balcony PV system be installed freely?
Plug-and-play kits are designed to be connected to a domestic socket, but they are still production systems: they must be notified to the grid operator according to the simplified procedure provided, and the condominium regulations must be checked for installation on the railing. Conditions and power limits change over time: it is advisable to check the regulations in force at the time of purchase.
What is the difference between an off-grid and a grid-tied system?
An off-grid system has no connection to the electrical grid: it produces power, stores it in a battery, and powers its own loads, generally at 12 or 24V. A grid-tied system works in parallel with the power supply, powering the house and feeding excess power into the grid. They are completely different architectures with non-interchangeable components.
Do the panels work even when it is cloudy?
Yes, but with much lower production compared to full sun. Partial and constant shading — a chimney, a tree, a nearby building — matters more, as in string configurations it can penalize production far beyond the actual area in shadow.
Can I install them myself?
On small low-voltage off-grid systems yes, with due caution. On a grid-tied system, no: you need a design, a certified installer, and a connection request to the operator. The strings remain live whenever there is light and cannot be "turned off" like a domestic circuit.
Complete your system with inverters, storage batteries, solar cable, photovoltaic connectors, and panel supports.
