Have you ever heard of solar panel efficiency?
Solar panel efficiency is the measurement of a solar panel’s capacity to convert sunlight to electricity. The more efficient the solar panels, the more you save money and time to get electricity.
To gain more solar panel savings, you need to understand efficiency further. Get the best price and performance when prioritizing to get efficient solar power panels. Read on to learn more about the benefits, factors to consider, and best brands.
Why Do You Need Efficient Solar Power Panels?
Efficiency is an essential factor to consider when you have limited space. You can gain a net-zero home with a rooftop filled with efficient solar power panels. They are a clean source of energy, reducing your carbon footprint.
Solar power is a self-sufficient way to save money and help the environment. You gain solar panel savings since efficient solar panels can lower your power bills. The longer you have solar panels, the more benefits you can enjoy.
Types of Solar Panels
There are only three main types of solar panels: thin-film, polycrystalline, and monocrystalline. They differ in performance, costs, and appearance. You should pick the solar panel that best suits your installation plans.
Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels use a mix of materials to create thin, conducting layers. It gets covered in plastic, glass, or metal to protect the thin-film technology. This type of solar panel is the most affordable and lightest among the three.
They are the easiest to plan and produce, making them the most commonly used solar panels. Thin-film solar panels can deliver between 11% to 22% solar power efficiency. You can install them on large, commercial roofs or place them on boats or RVs.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline or multi-crystalline panels use silicon grown in blocks of crystals. The blocks get sliced into wafers to create individual solar cells. You can get an efficiency of 15% to 22% from polycrystalline solar panels.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline or single-crystalline solar panels have the purest silicon. You can get more than 20% of solar power efficiency from this type of solar panel. However, monocrystalline power panels are the most expensive of the three.
Check out https://blueravensolar.com/ to estimate how much you can save when you switch to solar.
Factors Determining Efficiency
The efficiency of your power all depends on the solar panel installations and structures. It’s not simply placing the solar panels on top of your roof, then call it a day. You need to consider outside factors like temperature or shading.
Here are some factors you need to consider to get the best out of your residential solar power.
Temperature
Your country’s temperature can impact the overall output coming from your solar cell. Living in a place with a higher temperature can greatly reduce your solar panels’ output and efficiency. The prolonged exposure to heat can prematurely degrade the solar cells.
The temperature will drop the solar panel’s voltage and power unless you have one designed for warmer climates. Solar panels give the best power and efficiency if you live in a colder place.
Reflection
Did you know that a cell’s efficiency can increase by minimizing reflected light? The less light is reflecting off of power panels, the more natural light it gets. You can grab an anti-reflection coating or use textured surfaces to help you decrease reflection.
Placement
Proper solar panel installations are a significant part of getting the maximum amount of sunlight. The angle and positioning of the solar panel will help you maximize the best efficiency. It would be best if you placed them in an area where light is present and strong on most days.
G\You should also consider the placement and number of your solar panels every season. Place your solar panels in a higher position when summertime comes around. Reduce the number of solar panels and lower them a bit when winter comes by.
Roof Pitch
The slope of your roof impacts how much sunlight lands on your panels throughout the day. You need to orient your solar panels for the most annual sunlight exposure. The roof pitch or steepness of your roof plays a huge role in how much energy you receive per day.
Your panels need to get tilted every time to get the most sunlight from your local latitude. Don’t forget that you also have to consider which side it faces, either north or south. If you live in the southern hemisphere, you should orient your solar panels to the north.
Shade
A small shade on your solar panels can greatly reduce the efficiency output from the sun. Solar panels typically have to get wired together to get a higher voltage. When a single panel gets covered, the whole production lowers.
It’s best to remove anything that may block the solar panels, such as trees or chimneys. Consider getting solar panels that come with bypass diodes. This is a tool that gives your solar panel another path to generate energy at reduced voltages.
Most Efficient Solar Panels
The top-selling brands of solar panels now use high purity N-type IBC cells to get the best efficiency. The leading brand, SunPower, used HJT N-type cells to boost the level of IBC cells. Their collaboration with LG in creating these cells got them to the top place.
SunPower solar panels can produce efficiency ratings going as high as 22.8%. The specific model is the Maxeon 3 with 400 W and the N-type IBC. LG is another great brand that can deliver 20% to 21% power efficiency.
Their Neon R and NeOn 2 series feature N-type IBC with features passing 22% efficiency. Another great brand is REC solar, with their Alpha series surpassing 21.7% power efficiency. FuturaSun also has the FU 360 M Zebra with efficiency going up to 21.3%.
Save with Efficient Solar Power Panels
The better efficiency you have, the more long-term benefits and savings you can get. Efficient solar power panels are your best way to lower your bills every day.
Are you looking for more guides about efficiency or solar panels? We have more information to offer with our other blog posts. Be sure to read the rest of our posts to get the best tips and tricks.