History of Solar Panels & Solar Panel Background

Here we will discuss The History of Solar Panels and Their Aesthetics in the Phoenix, Arizona Area.

• Some people find the “look” of solar panels very pleasing while others find it not so pleasing.
• Even though solar systems save people money and are a better option for the environment, the reality is that the look does matter to some people. Certain people will not adopt solar technology because they simply don’t like the way it looks on a roof.
• Fortunately, solar panels have become better and better looking over the years due to advances in technology and more attention paid to aesthetics by manufacturers.

• Due to shortcomings in technology, older solar systems are often angled off roofs towards the south. These older solar panels were not able to catch the sun’s rays at oblique angles, so they had to be pointed directly south to generate electricity.
• Fortunately, modern solar panels can catch the sun as soon as light hits it no matter where the sun is in the sky. Solar panels that are flush to the rooftop are more aesthetically pleasing and less noticeable than panels angled off the roof.
• Old solar panels were much thicker than modern solar panels. While televisions got thinner and thinner, so did the solar panels over the years. Advanced technology allows components of electronics to get smaller and smaller and fit in ever-decreasing size spaces.
• Solar panels are not mounted directly on the roof, but rather on racking systems that are mounted to the roof. Over the years the racking systems have become increasingly lower to the roof which makes the panels more aesthetically pleasing.
• The framing of the panels matters. Older and uglier style panels have thick aluminum silver framing while prettier panels have black framing.
• Whether the backing of the panel is white or black will affect the look the panel as well.

• As you can see in the image below, some solar panels systems can be an eyesore. This system was likely installed many years ago and has all the components of an ugly solar system.
• The panels are high off the roof and angled by mounting systems, which gives a messy, noncongruent, and jarring look.
• There is no symmetrical organizational scheme to the panels, and they were placed without any eye for style or aesthetics. Gaps between the panels and non-symmetrical panel placements are less pleasing to the eye.
• The panels have thick aluminum frames, and the solar cells are backed by a white layer, neither of which are pleasing.

• You can see we are getting better with this solar system. This represents a more modern system, and many companies are installing systems like this every day in Phoenix, Arizona.
• There are no gaps between the panels, and they are all placed in a nice, symmetrical array with the same amount of distance around the entire array to the edges of the roof.
• They are lower to the roof and not being angled off the roof, which gives a more pleasing look.
• However, more progress towards beauty can be made. The thick aluminum framing and the white backing behind the solar panels still can improved upon.

• This brings us to the types of systems Phoenix Solar Panel Systems currently installs in their residential projects.
• As you can see, all the attributes of the ugly solar panel system have been replaced which attractive and aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
• The all-black presentation gives a sleek, modern, and clean look that actually improves the look of the home instead of detracting from it.
• The panels have a thin black frame that is hardly noticeable, and the solar cells are on a black background.
• The panels are flush to the roof and not angled at all.
• The panel array is symmetrical and organized in the middle of the roof.
• There are no gaps between the panels.
• All of these attributes come together to form a beautiful solar panel system array.
• Phoenix Solar Panel Systems will use the exact panels pictured here on your rooftop when we install your solar system.