Solar panel efficiency is important for getting the most from your solar system. Without optimising your system to get as much sunlight as possible, you may find yourself missing out on some of the benefits of solar panels.
There are a few key ways to maximise the efficiency of your solar panel set-up. In this article, we’ll explore the conditions required for optimal solar panel efficiency and give you our best tips for placement.
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How Solar Panels Work
To understand the best conditions for solar panel efficiency, it’s important first to understand how solar panels work to convert sunlight into energy. A standard photovoltaic (PV) panel contains silicon cells which take in sunlight.
This sunlight moves around through the interconnected cells, generating DC electricity. This electricity is then sent through a solar power inverter, which converts it to AC energy which can be used to power household appliances and other domestic and commercial energy consumption needs.
Excess energy can be stored in a solar battery to be used when it’s needed.
What Is The Ideal Condition For Solar Panels?
Typically, photovoltaic solar panels perform best at temperatures between 20°C and 25°C. When the weather is at this temperature, there is usually a lot of natural sunlight for the panels to absorb and process.
3 Tips For Solar Panel Efficiency
Solar panels require sunlight to generate electricity, so it’s important to consider the placement to optimise their efficiency. This can include a range of factors, such as:
Avoiding Solar Shading
Solar shading occurs when a portion of the cells within your solar panels are shaded by something (for example, a tree looming over the roof). As all of the cells in a solar panel are connected, one cell being blocked from reaching maximum efficiency will affect the rest of the cells from reaching their own.
It is important to place your solar panels away from any immovable objects that might shade them, such as a chimney, or make amendments to ensure they are un-shaded – for example, cutting a tree branch.
Think About Strategic Placement
To get the most from your solar panels, you will want to place them in positions where they will get the maximum amount of sunlight. You can do this by considering how the sun hits your home and the best places to install your panels so that they get full advantage of the light during the day.
Don’t Forget About Orientation
If you’re installing your solar panels on racks, you have an excellent opportunity to think about the orientation of your panels. Orientation refers to how you angle your panels so they get the most sunlight throughout the day.
Some people may also choose to get movable or adjusting solar panels, which can change their orientation throughout the day to meet the sunlight at its optimal points. This can be a fantastic way to ensure your panels get as much light as possible.
Consult A Professional
For many people, solar panels are new territory. It’s always worth speaking to a professional before installing your panels, and many solar panel installation companies will be happy to offer a consultation and discuss the best ways to optimise your solar panel positioning to get the most out of your system.
Speak To A Smartly Solar Expert
Are you interested in investing in a solar panel system for your home or business? Our Smartly solar experts will be happy to talk you through the various options we have available.
You can contact us using our online form, or send us a message using our live chat function. We will always reply ASAP.
