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Variables determining solar panel efficiency and performance

Writen by Beacon Energy

Viewed 5 min read

Solar panels have come a long way from what they used to be. From the early iteration, which wasn’t all that efficient and was a big, unwieldy unit that was not the ideal case for renewable energy, to the modern solar panel, which is efficiency-personified and is the last word in making a good case for renewable energy. Solar panels, therefore, are today’s best example of research and development in solar energy equipment advancement, and in this blog post, we will look at the many variables that determine just how efficient and productive a solar panel can get. It is important to know these variables as this can help you get the most out of your solar panels.

As always, we will also look into the best solar panel supplier in UAE, Beacon Energy. This top solar energy equipment dealer in UAE has the best and most comprehensive selection of solar panels from the best manufacturer in the world, CanadianSolar. For all your solar energy equipment needs, trust Beacon Energy for the absolute best.

Now, let's look at the variables that determine solar panel efficiency and performance.

Variables Determining Solar Panel Efficiency and Performance

It might not sound logical that temperatures do affect the efficiency of solar panels, like extreme temperatures might do for solar panels, however, temperatures do affect the efficiency of PV modules. Let’s start with this point and go on to the other factors.

i. Temperature

With extreme temperatures, efficiency can decline, but only temporarily. For instance, solar panels in areas where mercury usually soars, a drop in solar energy generation is common and pretty much anticipated. That is because extreme temperatures disrupt the normal functioning of the solar cells or rather the PV cells in the panel, which causes them to drop the efficiency rate. However, the good part is that the efficiency drop is not all that much. An average drop of about 5 percent is usually monitored, and that too on temperatures exceeding 40°C, which tend to disrupt a lot more than just solar efficiency and generation.

ii. Installation Angle and Orientation

Another one of the variables for solar panel efficiency that might generally be known as rather unimportant and trivial is the installation angle and the orientation of the solar panels. For one, installation angle is key: once oriented at such an angle that it receives the most solar energy during noon, which is the peak time, will obviously get you more out of the PV equipment. Whereas an angle that is poor and an orientation that robs the solar panel of peak suntime will perform likewise when it comes to solar energy generation.

iii. Shade/Plantation in Vicinity

For solar panels to reach their peak efficiency, there needs to be unabridged access to sunlight. Of course. However, many environmental factors can prevent that from happening. One of the most common is shade from the trees that might be growing in a residential setting, which seems plausible. This shade can block sunlight from getting to the PV modules, and consequently, you might notice a drop in the solar energy generation of the equipment. This is why, for residential PV equipment users, it is recommended that growth around the solar panels be monitored to make sure no such thing is hampering the efficiency of the solar panels.

iii. Lack of Maintenance

Lack of maintenance will also adversely affect the solar energy generation potential. Even something like dust will negatively affect the solar panel efficiency, and as such, a simple wipe down or maintenance through a qualified maintenance service will bring the solar panels back to their original efficiency. More than that, if annual maintenance is skimped out on, this will significantly affect the power generation potential, and sometimes irreversible damage can also occur. This means that as much as solar panels are essentially trouble-free items, maintenance is something that is crucial for them.

iv. Quality of PV Equipment

The final and often overlooked factor is the quality of the PV equipment itself. No two solar panels are made the same, and as such, the best solar panels are going to be the ones with maximum efficiency and little requirement for upkeep and maintenance. For specific situations like solar panels, quality is all that matters, as the probability of all these factors somehow affecting energy generation potential goes low once you have quality equipment on your hands.

The Best Solar Panels in UAE from Beacon Energy

For the best solar panels in Dubai, manufactured by some of the highly-sought after brands for solar equipment like Canadian Solar, Beacon Energy should be your go-to. With an excellent supply chain network and delivery timelines, they are the most prominent company in the Middle Eastern landscape for solar and are poised for new, even greater heights.

Tags: solar equipment supplier in UAE, best solar panel in UAE, solar panel seller in Dubai, solar panel distributor in UAE