Solar electricity is sustainable because it is renewable in comparison to non-renewable electricity derived from fossil fuels. In this regard, solar electricity is eco-friendly because its generation does not emit greenhouse gases into the air and water. Greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming. Another advantage of using solar energy is that it reduces or eliminates utility bills because the energy is abundant and free. Worth noting, generating solar power is a simple process that requires the installation of solar panels. To maintain maximum solar panel efficiency you should take care of the system.
What Affects Solar Panel Efficiency?
Various factors can affect the amount of energy that solar panels can generate. In this article, we discuss various ways that companies using solar and solar-powered homes can increase the efficiency of solar panels which will result in more electricity generation.
1. Installing the Most Efficient Solar Panels
Solar panel efficiency determines how much of the sun’s radiation can be converted into electricity. To establish the solar panel efficiency, different types of solar panels of the same physical size are exposed to the same amount of sunlight for the same time and whichever has a higher energy rating is more efficient.
Solar panel efficiency goes hand in hand with solar cell efficiency. The more efficient the solar cells are, the more efficient the solar panel will be. There are different types of solar panels with different efficiency rates in the market; namely monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels. Monocrystalline panels productivity is higher than the other two solar panels. Productivity rates also depend on the manufacturer of the solar panels.
As such, installing solar panels with the highest efficiency will increase your power generation from the sun’s radiation. Most solar panels in the market have an average efficiency of 18%. Noteworthy, the future of solar panel efficiency is bright because various innovators are seeking ways of making the most energy-efficient solar panels.
2. Using Mirrors
Indeed many inventors across the world are researching different methods of increasing the efficiency of solar panels. Reflectors can be used to increase solar panel efficiency especially if the solar panels have a poor angle mechanism. Michigan Technological University’s Joshua Pearce, a research team from Canada’s Queen’s University and other researchers in Ontario and Kingston realized that the output of solar panels was increased by between 18%, 30% and 45% by reflectors. By using reflectors, or mirrors which illuminate the panels can increase the watts produced per panel.
This is a cheap way to boost the efficiency of solar panels but it is not yet popular globally. Solar device manufacturers are concerned that reflectors or mirrors can increase the temperature levels of solar panels thereby decreasing their efficiency. To address this concern, a technology called bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) was developed.
Sun blockages affect the efficiency of solar panels. Ensure that your solar panels are installed by a solar expert. Not even a minuscule should be in a shaded area. In this case, ensure that there are no blockages from nearby trees or infrastructural barriers unless they are out of your control. Trees should be cut down or trimmed.
4. Solar Panel’s Orientation
A professional solar installer knows what direction to face the solar panels. Poor positioning will compromise on the performance of the solar panels. In the USA, there have been debates on which direction is the best. Experiments have revealed that they should face the south during other months and face the west during summer. Please note that inventors are developing tools that can maximize on the direction of the sun by changing the direction of the solar panels in a day.
5. Solar Panels Cleaning
How clean or dirty your solar panels affect their efficiency. Dirt on the solar panels blocks the sun’s rays from maximum harnessing. Dirt includes dust and bird droppings. If you live in a dusty area, then you may need to have a frequent routine maintenance program done at least once a month. But if you live in a non-dusty area, then you can take up to six months before cleaning the solar panels. You simply clean using a biodegradable soap solution and a sponge.
6. Wrapping Up
Going solar is a great decision not just for your pocket but for Mother Nature because of its direct influence on decreasing global warming. Ensuring that your solar panels are efficient will enable you to produce more electricity which can help you pay for the solar panels faster. In addition to installation of super-efficient solar panels and eliminating other factors that affect the efficiency of your solar panels, ensure that the inverter and all the other solar gadgets are high quality and working effectively to convert the harnessed energy into usable electricity. They should convert at the same the energy is processed by solar panels or higher but not lower.