Have you been thinking about installing commercial solar panels for your business? That’s great! But when most businesses think about installing industrial solar panels the first question they have in mind is about how much power they will be able to generate and if it will satisfy the needs of their business.
The efficiency of solar panel systems is why most businesses make the switch. Therefore, businesses would want to ensure that it is as efficient as possible so they can cater to all the electrical needs and even save surplus energy.
However, you won’t get a straightforward answer to this question as there are many factors that can influence the amount of power your industrial solar panel generates. This article will look at all the factors contributing to industrial solar panel production.
What Is Solar Panel Efficiency?
As a business owner, you need to understand the efficiency of your solar panels. The efficiency of a solar panel is when it receives solar radiation that it can easily turn into electricity. Over the years, the efficiency of solar panels has improved significantly. In the beginning, the efficiency rate was up to 6%, and now the latest versions are more than 22%. However, it is important to keep in mind that the levels of efficiency will decrease over time.
Every year the efficiency will slightly wane, and by the end of its life span, the level of production will remain at 85%. But you can expect that many years down the road and not a few years in.
What Are The Main Types Of Solar Panels?
There are three main types of solar panels, and each of them has a different capacity to produce electricity.
Monocrystalline
Monocrystalline is a high-performance and high-efficiency solar panel. It is also very aesthetically pleasing but comes with a more expensive cost.
Polycrystalline
Polycrystalline is cheaper, and it also has a lower efficiency as compared to monocrystalline.
Thin Film
If you are not looking for solar panels that have very high efficiency and want something that is easy to move and serves aesthetic purposes, then you can invest in thin film solar panels.
The solar panel company you hire will help you understand your needs better and provide advice on what type of solar panels you should opt for.
How Much Power Does An Industrial Solar Panel Generate?
If you are running a business, your goal will be to have as much efficiency as possible, and you would want to boost it so you can make the most of your investment.
To do that, you need to understand how much power you can generate and what factors affect that. Here are all the factors you must keep in mind when determining the amount of power your solar panels can generate.
System Size
One of the biggest factors to keep in mind is the size of the system. The bigger your system is, the more energy it will generate. If you are running a commercial operation, then you need a large solar system so that it can provide enough energy for you to run all your machinery and stop relying on grid electricity.
It is also important for you to have enough roof space so you can install a large system. A consultant will be able to guide you about the sizing of solar panels so you know just what system size you need to aim for.
Panel Count
Many people are under the impression that if they were to add many solar panels, that would increase the power output. But if the panels are not efficient enough, they will not give you the amount of energy you expect. Moreover, if you go for panels that are more efficient you won’t have to get a lot of them; the system can be smaller and still give you more electricity.
In this case, a solar panel installation company will be able to help you determine what the best way forward is. They will be able to give you options depending on your roof size, budget and needs.
Positioning
There are lots of speculations that suggest solar panels alone are enough to produce a consistent energy supply. But the efficiency of these solar panels largely depends on their positioning. The position will determine how much solar radiation the panels will be able to take and then use to create electricity. It is best to keep the panels at a 35-degree angle facing towards the south.
This will maximize the solar radiation, and your solar panels will be as efficient as possible, but you can still keep them at a different angle, and the panels will still produce electricity, just not at the same efficiency level.
Daylight Hours
Solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity, and if they don’t get the sunlight, they won’t be able to do what they are designed to. As simple as that is, it can be difficult to understand why a solar panel system that is positioned at the right angle and installed in an intended manner is not producing electricity as it should.
The number of daylight hours will determine how much energy you can produce on that particular day. No one can control the weather, and if the day is cloudy, then that can significantly impact energy production. It is essential to keep in mind that you will generate more electricity during the summer months than you would during the winter. This is because summer is when the sun shines its brightest.
However, the cold weather is not exactly a problem as solar panels do not run on temperature, but they do run on light. Even if there is little sunlight, the panels will be able to produce electricity.
Panel Ratings
Each solar panel has a rating, and the power rating is determined in watts and as per the size and efficiency of the panel. Panels of higher rating will produce more electricity. The rating can be anything between 250 and 520 watts.
Maintenance
Solar panels in the right condition will produce the most amount of electricity. If you want to ensure that your solar panels remain efficient, then you must keep up with the maintenance. Maintenance may include removing all dust or debris to ensure that your panels can receive sunlight uninterrupted.
If you don’t keep up with the maintenance levels, then that would reduce the output. The installation company may also offer you maintenance services, so you can ask them before you finalize your decision.
How Can You Maximize The Efficiency Of Solar Panels?
There is not a lot you can do when it comes to increasing the efficiency of your solar panels, as it mainly depends on the installation and what kind of system you choose. If you choose a good company that has several years of experience, then you will be able to save up on a lot of money and get the best energy output.
While, as a business owner, you do not have much control after the system is installed, you can set the pace right by hiring the best company out there. The company should offer you many services in the installation package so you can be assured that your systems will perform to the best of their ability.
As soon as the installation is complete, you will be concerned about the maintenance that comes after. Therefore, you need to look for a company that includes annual maintenance packages and can attend to you whenever you need their assistance.
Avoid maintaining the solar panels yourself. They are very sensitive, and if you do not care for them the right way, you may end up damaging the panels, and repair may cost even more than maintenance services.
