One of the options for using renewable energy is by embracing solar energy. It is highly attractive to people as it saves electricity costs and prevents carbon footprints from rising. The efficiency of solar panels holds great importance since most investments are being made in the panels. Here are seven ways to increase solar panel efficiencyand maximising the investment.
- Location and Angle Choice
Finally, proper location and angle do play an important role in making your solar panels operate at full efficiency. About placement, you will prefer southern exposure from the Northern Hemisphere, which receives the most daily sunlight, and make sure to tilt your panels at an angle that is equal to your latitude for full yearly efficiency; these adjustable mounts will help you find the best angle for each season. Ensure that no tree or any building or construction falls on the shadow of your panels during peak sunlight hours. Thus, by choosing the right location and right angle for your solar panels, you will be able to maximise their efficiency and power output. Further, a solar site assessment tool can be used to evaluate which specific condition your property needs in order to achieve optimal placement that can produce maximum energy yield throughout the year.
- Clean Your Panels
The simplest way of increasing the efficiency of your solar panel is through regular cleaning. All that dust, dirt, leaves, and bird droppings reduce the light that eventually reaches your panels. Clean your panels every few months or as soon as your environment dictates. Use water and a soft brush or cloth to clean them. Larger or hard-to-reach installations may have to be cleaned professionally. A clean solar panel can generate up to 5% more electricity than a dirty one. So, that’s pretty easy maintenance to perform. An automatic cleaning system or professional cleanings on a regular basis will help keep your panels at their best for optimal efficiency and life cycles.
- High-Efficiency Panels
Advancements in solar technology are forever shifting, so any new advance is never more than moderately efficient than the previous one. If you need maximum energy, you might consider upgrading to high-efficiency panels. High-efficiency panels convert a larger portion of your sun’s rays to electricity, using less roof space for the equivalent power output. They also have longer warranties and tend to last longer. Though they have more expensive front-end costs, they will cut your costs way down in the long term due to their efficiency in the generation of energy. Research the latest advances in panel technology, such as bifacial panels or advanced cell structures, for the most recent and efficient ones to serve your particular needs and budget.
- Consider a solar tracking system
A solar tracking system turns your panels periodically throughout the day to track the daily movement of the sun in the sky. The two major types of solar trackers are single-axis trackers, which pivot panels to the east and west, and dual-axis trackers, which pivot panels both horizontally to the east and west and vertically up and down. More complicated and expensive than a fixed system, solar trackers can boost the amount of energy produced by 25–35%. Because they maximise efficiency, solar trackers are more than worth the investment. But before you decide to install a tracking system, there are other things to consider, like your local climate, available space, maintenance requirements, and the fact that high-end trackers also employ AI algorithms in real-time to optimise the panels’ positioning.
- Maximise Your Energy Storage
Connect the panels to a proven and reliable lithium battery for solar panels where all the excess energy generated during sunny periods can be stored and used to top up during days of clouds or at night, hence maximising the overall efficiency of your solar setup. Use smart battery management systems, which can optimise charging and discharging cycles based on usage patterns and weather forecasting.
- Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
Although this tip does not affect your solar panels directly, it will significantly impact the final productivity of your solar energy system. Save energy and have it produce better on your part by using electricity that your panels generate in a more significant way. Consider new energy-efficient appliances, changing all your home or business lighting to LED, installing smart thermostats and other energy management systems. These upgrades can allow you to get more out of your solar power, potentially reducing the number of panels needed to run your home. Install a whole-house energy monitor so that you can identify areas of high energy consumption and start adjusting your behaviours to make the most of your photovoltaic panel system.
- Monitor and Maintain Your System
Most new solar systems also have monitoring software, which can track your energy production and consumption in real-time. That will help you identify fast if there are problems or underperforming panels, and you can really monitor your energy usage habits to optimise efficiency and plan future upgrades or expansions on your system. Aside from monitoring, go for a scheduled maintenance checkup by a professional to ensure that all the components of the solar are working correctly. Use predictive maintenance techniques using AI and machine learning algorithms to predict problems before they have an effect on the performance of your system, thus ensuring that its efficiency is maximised throughout the year.
Conclusion
Implementing these seven strategies substantially improves the efficiency of your solar panel installation. Proper placement, cleaning, upgrading to high-efficiency panels, and adoption of advanced energy storage solutions such as lithium batteries are just some ways in which an efficient solar panel system could be enhanced.
Likraft is probably one of the organisations doing well in terms of the solar energy market. They offer innovative solutions that aim to ensure the highest output possible from solar panels and provide the means for secure energy storage. Likraft’s products are designed to help every home owner and business achieve the highest returns out of their investment in solar systems.