Optimize solar output

The yielding of a solar panel depends on the situation in which you generate energy. The main factors are:

The climate
An important factor is the climate. Hours of sunshine, shade and temperature affect the performance of solar panels. It is often seen as one of the biggest contradictions that the temperature of your solar panels affects the yielding. When the sun is higher in the sky, it causes a higher intensity of light radiation (UV), so that the solar panel can generate more, but on the other hand, heat from the sun causes a loss in efficiency. The hotter the solar panels get, the more the efficiency decreases. In the UK, where the weather can certainly be called changeable, this problem is of course much smaller than in a sunny country. However, a nice warm summer day will reduce the efficiency of your solar panels.

The power of solar panels is expressed in watts (W). This is a maximum achievable power that can only be achieved under ideal conditions. The weather conditions are different every day, the sun is higher in the summer than in the winter, the temperature is never the same, etc. The power of solar panels is the amount of power that can be generated in an ideal and constant situation. That means at an angle of inclination of 36 degrees, with an arrangement towards the south, when the sun is at the perfect point in the sky and when the solar panel has a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.

Shadows
The efficiency of a solar panel can be adversely affected by shadows from nearby objects such as trees, lampposts or other houses. When installing solar panels, you should therefore take the presence of such objects that disrupt the incidence of light into account.

What does the efficiency say about a solar panel?
By efficiency we mean the percentage of the captured sunlight that can be converted into usable electricity. An important aspect here is the efficiency of the solar cells. The higher the efficiency of the solar cell, the more power can be placed on the amount of space. With more power, more returns can be achieved, without looking at other aspects. High efficiency solar panels are not always better than solar panels with a lower efficiency. 100 W power, remains 100 W power. There are other aspects that can influence the efficiency of a solar panel, including the components and techniques used. High-quality products often have a good mix. High efficiency solar cells, good components and use of materials. This lays a good foundation for achieving the highest possible return in combination with a longer lifespan.

The ultimate efficiency of solar panels depends on many factors. And while some factors are beyond your control, there are plenty of options to get the most out of your setup. If you combine a solar panel with a power station or battery, you can always use your own generated energy. If you have any questions about what is the best setup for you, please contact us.