The Ultimate Guide to Solar Panel Efficiency for Homeowners

In Maryland, a person who has invested several thousand dollars in setting up a solar panel setup on the roof is deeply interested in one thing. How much electricity are my solar panels generating? And this is when the concept of solar panel efficiency. It is a quantitative measure of how good your solar panels are performing. In this blog, we will dig into this terminology and discuss factors that impact solar panel efficiency.

Solar Panel Efficiency Explained

The term “ Solar Panel Efficiency” refers to the capacity of a solar panel to convert sunlight into usable electricity. For example, if a solar panel has a label of 12% efficiency, it means that it can convert 12% of the total amount of sunlight hitting its surface, and the rest of 88% is lost as a result of reflection.

Till today’s date, the highest solar panel efficiency recorded is 23.3% in Maryland.

Solar panels that show more efficiency are costly, but it is a one-time investment that pays high dividends in the long run. Usually, in the form of reduced electricity bills and more savings.

What is the Average Efficiency of a Solar Panel?

The average efficiency of a solar panel ranges between 18%—22%. What it means is that a solar panel can roughly turn 22% of solar energy into electricity. This figure might seem modest at first glance, but it is still large enough to light up your house.

Factors affecting solar panel efficiency

The efficiency of a solar panel hinges on multiple factors, each with its own weightage. So, it is crucial to consider all the factors if you want to achieve maximum efficiency.

1- Quality of a Photovoltaic (PV) Cell:

A solar panel is a composite of multiple PV cells, and their quality determines how efficiently a solar panel generates electricity. A good-quality PV cell wastes less amount of energy and makes the best use of the sun's rays hitting its surface. Usually, there are two types of PV cells during the manufacturing of a solar panel.

2- Roof Angle And Orientation:

The roof angle plays an important role, more than you think. Setting up the solar panels in the wrong orientation can cost you in the long run. In Maryland, the optimal angle to position panels ranges between 30—35 degrees. The ideal orientation angle varies with conditions like weather and home latitude. Frankly speaking, you don't need to personally figure out these variables. Seeking the services of a solar panel installation company is a smart move. They have qualified staff who know the ropes when it comes to deciding the optimal panel orientation.

3- Number And Size Of Obstacles:

Solar panels deliver excellent performance when the sunlight hits their surface without weakening due to the presence of obstacles in the way.

On the other hand, the efficiency of solar panels is reduced if trees, walls, or any other obstacles reduce the intensity of the sun's rays.

4- Outside Temperature:

The surrounding temperatures impact the number of kWh of electricity a solar panel generates. However, a misconception needs to be clarified that the greater the temperature, the more electricity it produces. According to the USA solar panel manufacturers, a solar panel exhibits maximum efficiency at a temperature of 25 degrees.

Tips To Improve The Efficiency of Solar Panels:

1- Keep up The Maintenance Of Solar Panels

It is important to perform regular maintenance of solar panels. On and off, dust, dirt, and bird droppings fall on the solar panels, bringing down their ability to generate electricity. So, get into the habit of cleaning the solar panels once every 14 days. Doing so improves the absorption ability of solar panels.

2- Use high-quality Inverters:

Inverters play a pivotal role in converting solar energy into electricity, so they are worth putting into the investment. The better the quality of inverters is, the better the solar efficiency is.

3- Prevent Overheating:

It may seem counterintuitive, but excessively high temperatures reduce the efficiency of solar panels. Therefore, ensure to introduce a proper airflow beneath the solar panels.

4- Install Solar Trackers:

It is simple that if you’re aware of the energy being produced, making adjustments to maximize the performance of the solar panels becomes easy. Based on the reading of the solar trackers, you can change the orientation of the solar panels so that the energy needs can be met.

Final Words:

Understanding the concept of solar panel efficiency helps generate more kWh of electricity, helping to run your electrical appliances smoothly.