If you’re planning on purchasing a solar system, you need to calculate the efficiency of the equipment and the various expenses involved in its operation. Doing so will help you save a huge amount of money and get the most out of the sunlight.
What Factors Affect Panel Efficiency
Maximum efficiency is achieved by solar panels only when certain conditions are met. What are these?
Angle of inclination of the panels
The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the panel determines the amount of electricity that is produced. It is important that solar panels are adjusted regularly to keep the system running smoothly.
Regular cleaning of the surface
Protect your solar panels from dirt, snow, and dust by wiping them down several times a season. They can produce a lot of electricity if they are clean.
Weather conditions
The weather can also affect the efficiency of solar panels. On rainy and snowy nights, the batteries will not produce anything.
Temperature
The efficiency of solar panels is mainly determined by the angle of the rays at which they appear and the radiation index. When the temperature gets too hot, the efficiency of the panels drops. This is because the strong incandescence causes the panels to become unstable.
No shade
When installing solar panels make sure that the shade doesn’t fall on them during the day. Also, avoid placing the panels on the south side as these will affect their efficiency.
Non-compliance with the rules can affect the efficiency of solar panels and result in a major change in the amount of electricity that is needed.
The most effective models of batteries
The basic concept of solar panels is that they knock out atoms from the light, which then provide a current. In order to do so, semiconductor elements are used.
Although solar panels have many advantages, they have various characteristics that can affect their cost and efficiency. Some of these include their efficiency, cell composition, and service life.
- Monocrystalline;
- Polycrystalline;
- Amphoric.
The efficiency of solar cells is relative to the price. The more expensive the panel, the longer its service life will be.
How to increase the efficiency
The efficiency of solar panels is determined by a number of factors, such as the angle of the panels, the type of cell used, and the technical characteristics of the panels.
“Sun-tracking systems can improve the efficiency of solar panels by varying their angle of inclination.”
Unfortunately, achieving high efficiency and low cost is not an easy task, as it requires the expertise of scientists. Currently, the main challenge is finding the right materials that can provide both high performance and low cost.
The economic efficiency of the system
Before you decide to install a solar plant, it is important to determine its cost-effectiveness. Generally, it takes around 5 to 15 panels to generate the required electricity.
What affects the payback period:
- The cost of solar panels and the number of panels. Reliable silicon panels with a high efficiency rating will cost a lot more than film panels.
- Type of solar panels. Multilayer high-quality modules will be able to work two or even three times longer than single-layer, cheaper panels.
- Aside from the solar panels, the system also requires other equipment such as batteries, inverters, and controllers. These components are required to allow the system to function properly.
- The cost of energy resources in the region. If your area has a low price for electricity – 1 kW, the payback period of the panels will be much longer.
- Battery life. With proper operation, reliable panels will serve more than 30 years.
- The location of solar panels and the region where they are situated can affect the efficiency and payback period of their installations. These factors are also important when choosing mountings.