Globally, an increasing number of companies are putting money into solar energy systems for commercial use. There are several factors contributing to this trend. Primarily, the performance of solar panels has seen a notable enhancement over the past few years. Additionally, there’s a growing demand from companies to adopt green energy alternatives to lessen their environmental impact, as governments aim for lofty goals of achieving net-zero emissions.
A significant number of companies are investing heavily in solar energy systems for commercial purposes. Yet, some fail to adequately care for their solar panels throughout their lifespan, leading to reduced electricity production from the panels, which results in financial losses for the company.
There are numerous strategies companies can employ to keep their solar panels operating at peak efficiency. Here are our top six methods for enhancing the efficiency of commercial solar panels and maximizing electricity generation.
The 6 Best Ways To Improve Solar Panel Efficiency
1. Buy one of the more efficient solar panel models
Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells, which are responsible for converting sunlight, or solar energy, into electricity that can be used. While it would be ideal, solar panels are not capable of converting every bit of solar energy they receive into electricity.
Thus, the efficiency of a solar panel is measured by the ratio of the energy that reaches the panels to the energy that is successfully converted into electricity by the photovoltaic cells.
Over the last five years, advancements in solar cell technology have significantly improved the average efficiency of solar panels, rising from approximately 15% to 20%. However, not all solar panels are the same, and the quality and design of a panel play a crucial role in its efficiency (and cost).
Although the upfront cost is generally higher, investing in a more efficient commercial solar panel is considered a key step towards achieving the best outcomes.
In 2020, several models of commercial solar panels boasted efficiencies close to 22%, with LG and Sunpower leading the pack. For detailed information and to select the most suitable model for your business, consider reviewing Clean Energy Reviews’ analysis of the top 10 solar panel models for 2020.
2. Buy panels with High Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Cells
The core idea behind CPV is to concentrate sunlight onto a solar cell with a high level of efficiency that would be otherwise too costly to utilize directly. While standard solar panels typically achieve an efficiency of 22%, the cells in CPV panels can achieve up to 46% efficiency!
Yet, this high efficiency comes at a steep cost. CPV panels are priced at up to four times more than standard PV panels.
Additionally, the variety of CPV models is not as extensive as that of traditional PV. However, if you’re able to locate a supplier and have the necessary funds available initially, CPV should be a worthwhile option to explore.
3. Avoid installing solar panels in shaded areas
Because solar panels produce power from the sun, it’s logical that being in the shade reduces this power production. Yet, a lot of individuals are not familiar with how shade affects multiple solar panels linked together.
Should a photovoltaic cell receive shade, this can affect the power output of its adjacent cells. This occurs because it serves as a barrier.
Giant trees and structures like buildings are the primary sources of shade for solar panels. Ensure to allocate time in the planning phase to evaluate a location and prevent shade from becoming a problem.
4. Get an expert to install your solar panels
If the solar panels aren’t set up properly, they won’t soak up enough sunlight and will produce lesser power.
There are a few key points to keep in mind when setting up panels, like their orientation and tilt. Generally, solar panels should be tilted at a range of 18 to 36 degrees to capture the most sun. For those in the northern part of the world, it’s best to face your panels south. Conversely, for those in the southern hemisphere, they should face north.
It might seem counterintuitive, but solar panel performance can be influenced by temperature. Higher temperatures can reduce their efficiency. It’s important to leave enough space between the solar panels and the roof when putting them up. This permits airflow and keeps the panels from getting too hot.
If this seems like a lot to take in, it might be beneficial to hire a professional to install your solar panels so you can maximize their advantages.
5. Clean your solar panels
Solar panels are designed with non-moving components, which means they need minimal upkeep. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to periodically clean them since dust and grime can build up on their surface, diminishing their effectiveness.
The frequency of cleaning your solar panels varies based on different factors like local climate and the expense of professional cleaning services.
Annually, dust and dirt might only result in an efficiency drop of 5%. Yet, in places with infrequent or no rain, the efficiency reduction can surpass 20%. Hence, an annual cleaning routine is generally recommended.
6. Monitor your solar panel output using energy management software
Some companies put up solar panels and if they are satisfied with how much energy they produce initially, they stop caring for them. This creates an issue since without keeping track of the energy your solar panels produce, you might not realize when their performance starts to decline.
One method to continuously watch your energy production is by linking your solar panels with energy monitoring software like Surple. By doing this, you can track your energy output over periods and identify any sudden drops.
Using Surple’s data analysis features is straightforward. Simply go to the Analytics section, pick your solar meters, and check how much energy they’re producing. If it’s lower than expected, it might be time to clean them, or maybe a panel is not working properly.
Energy managers are often busy, so saving time on data analysis is beneficial, right? I think so. That’s the reason why I’m sharing an even more effective method to keep an eye on your solar panel’s energy production using Surple.
Navigate to the Alarms section and set up an alert for a group of solar meters. Then, specify the minimum amount of energy you anticipate they should produce. You’re all set.
Conclusion
Here it is. Countless companies are now putting their money into business-grade solar panels as a strategy to cut costs and lessen their environmental footprint.
But, if you don’t set up, look after, and keep an eye on business-grade solar panels properly, you might not get the best results in terms of energy production.
These six suggestions will assist you in boosting the efficiency of your solar panels and keeping them at top performance, which will save you cash and lessen your company’s effect on the Earth.
After going through this article, you might also be keen on checking out our detailed guide on energy management for businesses aiming to enhance their building’s efficiency.
