Solar efficiency is determined by a number of factors, including the type of solar panel used. But how do you know if your solar panels are running efficiently?
How is it measured?
Solar efficiency is a measurement of how much of the sun’s energy a certain panel can convert into usable electricity. If a solar panel has twenty percent efficiency, it converts 20 percent of the sunshine hitting it into electricity. While most panels have an average efficiency of 15 to 18 per-cent, the highest efficiency a solar panel can reach is almost 23 percent.
Of course, external or environmental factors also affect the efficiency of solar panels. Shade, trees, cloud cover and even temperatures can have a negative effect on the production of solar panels.
Solar Panel Type
Efficiency is not the only factor to determine whether solar panels are right for your home. With enough space for a less efficient yet more cost-effective panel, the most efficient solar panels may not be needed. The direction the roof is facing, as well as the slant, style, and area, deter-mine which panels might work best.
- Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homeowners as they are based on the highest-purity silicon available
- Polycrystalline solar panels are based on polycrystalline silicon and while are not quite as efficient as monocrystalline, there is not that much of a difference.
Choosing which solar panel to install depends on the individual need and suitability factors. Most of the time, people are not certain on which kind of solar panel system would suit them the best. Experts should always be called in to evaluate and conclude the best option by analysing the cost and space factor.
