Solar energy is a cleannd renewable source of power, but even the most efficient solar panels can experience energy losses that reduce their overall output. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help recover 5% to 15% of solar energy and improve the performance of your solar system, including regular maintenance and cleaning.
#1 Optimizing Panel Placement and Orientation
One of the easiest ways to recover solar energy is to ensure your panels are positioned and oriented correctly. Proper panel placement can increase energy production by up to 15%. Key factors to consider include:
- Tilt angle: Adjusting the tilt angle of your panels to match the sun's position throughout the year can boost output by 5-10%.
- Orientation: Facing your panels directly south (in the northern hemisphere) can increase energy generation by 10-15% compared to east-west orientation.
- Shading: Minimizing shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions can recover up to 10% of potential energy.
Check out our resource corner for free tool PVincline that you can consider using immediately.
#2 Implementing Tracking Systems
Solar tracking systems automatically adjust the orientation of panels to follow the sun's movement throughout the day. This can increase energy output by 10-25% compared to fixed-tilt systems.
#3 Upgrading to High-Efficiency Panels
Newer, high-efficiency solar panels can convert more of the sun's energy into usable electricity. Upgrading to panels with 20-22% efficiency can gain extra 5-10% more energy than standard 15-18% efficient panels with same footprint on roof or your existing panel mounts.
See our article "How to choose High Efficiency Panels" to find out more on this.
#4 Integrating Energy Storage
Pairing your solar system with energy storage, such as batteries, allows you to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight. This can recover up to 15% of potential energy that would otherwise be lost. However battery cost for sustained over the night loads especially for HVAC can run upfront expense in the thousands of dollars. If you are in a favorable net metering scheme, this makes battery cost a viable one. Drop us an email to get links or videos on this matter.
#5 Improving System Maintenance
Regular maintenance, such as cleaning panels, inspecting connections, and monitoring system performance, can recover up to 5% of energy losses caused by soiling, degradation, and other issues such as poor connections.
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance, but it is recommended to clean them at least twice a year to remove dirt, dust, and debris that can accumulate and reduce their efficiency. When cleaning, it's important to use soft-bristled brushes and avoid abrasive cleaners or tools that could damage the panels.
Additionally, regularly inspecting the electrical components, wiring and monitoring the system's performance can help identify and address any issues that may be causing energy losses. By implementing a comprehensive maintenance program, you can recover a significant amount of the energy that would otherwise be lost due to system inefficiencies and degradation. Question is: Are you willing to come out with '.. a comprehensive maintenance program ...'? For busy people, this is not viable. It may be too complex or technical for busy PV owners to bother; fortunately, there is a safe and simple means to verify the health of your PV system - PVBuddy.
PVBuddy provides a portable, safe, and easy health check for photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. It works together with a small light sensor to monitor the system's health, allowing users to quickly and accurately assess the performance of their PV solar system without relying on professional reports and you use it anytime of the day, thus saving on time and cost. The app can be installed on any Android device, providing users with real-time information about their solar system's health and performance, helping them identify potential issues and maintain their system effectively. In fact, PVBuddy can help in most of the tips raised in this article. Click on Learn more at pvbuddy.com
By implementing these strategies, you can recover 5% to 15% of the solar energy your system would otherwise lose, maximizing the return on your investment and reducing your carbon footprint.
Download our checklist and learn more at useful tools 'Resource' section at our website.
Author: Ken
