Is it possible for your solar panel to lose efficiency? It is very possible! You didn’t know? Now you do. There are certain factors that affect solar panels, and this results in a decline in efficiency.
Knowing these factors will help you do better with maintenance. In this article, we’ll be looking at things that could affect your solar efficiency. Keep reading to find out more.
What is a solar cell?
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts sunlight into usable energy. The amount of sunlight that can be converted into electricity is referred to as solar cell efficiency.
What are the things that could affect your solar panel efficiency?
There are some factors that should be taken into consideration to guarantee the optimal efficiency of solar panels.
The factors include:
- Sun.
- Installation issues.
- Weather.
- Mounting position.
- Poor maintenance.
Sun
As we know, solar panels work with the amount of sunlight and not heat from the sun. The greater the amount of light incident on the panels, the greater the efficiency of the solar panels.
Installation Issues
Unfortunately, there are problems that are caused from the very start, caused by a less-than-stellar installation job. It’s important to remember that solar panel installation is not a simple or easy job.
It’s not just a matter of installing panels onto the roof — because the solar system is a source of energy for the entire home, it has to connect with the electrical grid, and a careless installer might not implement these connections as well as they require.
Also, the condition of the roof is also a major factor.
Weather
Solar panels are designed to stand on top of your home all day, every single day, for decades.
For this reason, they’re engineered to hold up well against the elements, but that’s not to say they’re completely immune. Sadly, the weather can indeed have an effect on your solar panels, and in extreme conditions, can even damage them.
Mounting position
Even if your solar panels are perfectly installed with zero issues in the connections or structural integrity, they might not work at optimal efficiency if they’re not oriented well.
We all know that solar panels absorb sunlight, so they should be positioned in such a way that they get as much exposure as possible at all times of the day.
Poor maintenance
Maintenance is key in prolonging the life span of a thing. In a case where you don’t carry out periodic cleanup on your solar panels, the presence of dust and dirt on the solar panels will drastically reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning is recommended for all solar panels.
Conclusion
Solar panels can lose their efficiency. Some of the factors that can cause this include: Poor maintenance, mounting position, weather, installation issues, and the sun.