8 Tips And Tricks For Best Solar Panel Efficiency

 The installation of a solar panel is just the beginning; ongoing maintenance and care are essential to ensure optimal performance. With a few simple steps, you can boost energy production, lower costs, and extend your system’s life. From choosing the right panels to proper maintenance, these tips will help your solar panels deliver peak performance. Here’s how to ensure the best solar panel efficiency.

1. Choose the right solar panels

Even though the initial expense may be a little heavy on your pocket, investing in the right solar panel is essential. Buy a panel with efficiency greater than 20%. Panels with higher efficiency are perfected for limited space since they give a higher power with lower footprint

Here are some examples that will come in handy:

• TOPCon panels are more efficient than Mono PERC panels. 

• Monocrystalline panels are highly efficient, compared to polycrystalline panels.

• Floating panels are a more efficient installation method than ground-mount panels. The water’s cooling effect adds to its efficiency.

2. Avoid shaded areas

If you want to improve your solar panel’s efficiency, keep it away from tall trees, chimneys, aerials and buildings. Even if a single photovoltaic cell is shaded, it can act as a resistor and impact the energy of neighbouring cells.

It’s necessary to schedule routine check-ups for your solar panels. Trim the trees that surround your panels or cast a shadow on it. Make sure that direct, unobstructed sunlight falls on your panel. 

3. Clean your panels at least once a year

If your panels are in an area that does not get adequate rainfall, it can decrease their output by 20%. So, clean your panels at least once a year. Make sure to follow these steps:

• Turn off the system: If it's safe, switch off your solar system before cleaning.

• Pick the right time: Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight, as it can cause water to evaporate quickly, leaving streaks.

• Clean gently: Rinse with warm water to remove loose debris. For stubborn grime, use a mild dish soap and a soft sponge to gently scrub.

• Avoid harsh tools: Don’t use abrasive sponges or pressure washers. They can scratch the panels or cause leaks.

• Rinse and dry: Rinse off any soap residue, then let the panels air dry or wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth.

4. Monitor output for best solar panel efficiency

To boost solar efficiency, monitor performance regularly. Catch issues early and prevent drops in output. Many modern solar inverters offer remote monitoring. Other tools are also available to track performance.

Key features of monitoring tools:

• Real-time monitoring: Track electricity generation instantly to ensure your panels are running at peak efficiency.

• Identify issues: Get alerts for any problems (like drop in energy produced).

• Optimize energy use: Analyze data to spot trends and adjust your usage for better efficiency. Make the most of peak solar hours and reduce grid reliance.

5. Tilt the panels in the right direction

For the best solar panel efficiency, orient the panel towards the sun. So, if you’re living in the northern hemisphere, tilt it to the south. And in the southern hemisphere, the tilt is to the north. 

If the ideal direction is impossible for you, tilt it to the west, where the sun sets. West-facing installations are beneficial because they produce more energy later in the day, when utility rates are higher. This helps offset the cost of peak-rate usage.

6. Place mirrors around your panels

You can use the technique of ‘solar concentrator’. Place mirrors near your panels to increase the sunlight concentration on the panel surface. But consult a professional about the local rules regarding placing mirrors. Also make sure that you don’t mirror excessive heat and end up damaging your panels. 

7. Use a battery to store excess solar energy

Install a battery so that you can rely on solar panels even on rainy days. It can be a great way to soak up all the sunlight and rely on your panels late at night too. For best solar panel efficiency, choose a battery that has:

• Capacity: Measured in amp hours, it’s the amount of energy stored.

• Storage Capacity: How long the battery supplies power when solar panels are not generating power.

• Energy storage capacity: Amount of energy stored and released by battery.

• Cycle life: The number of times a battery can be charged discharged before its capacity starts to reduce.  

8. Don’t run all appliances all at once

To get the most from your solar system, avoid running multiple appliances at once. For example, don’t use the dishwasher and washing machine together.

Here’s why:

• Full power drains your batteries quickly. Using less power helps conserve energy.

• Many utility plans charge more if you use a lot of power at once. It’s cheaper to spread out your energy use over time.

Using several appliances at once also increases the chance you’ll need grid power. To maximize solar efficiency, stagger appliance use throughout the day. Run one in the morning, another in the evening.

Conclusion

Renewable energy is growing and so is the need for best solar panel efficiency. Experts predict that solar power will account for 10% of global energy by 2030. Dust on solar panels can reduce their power by up to 30% in just one month, leading to significant losses. 

For example, a 150-megawatt solar plant could lose over INR 15 crores annually if its energy output drops by just 1%. These facts highlight that regular cleaning, along with new technology, can greatly improve energy production.

Finally, Grew Energy offers efficient and durable TOPCon solar panels. Their advanced design reduces energy loss and boosts output. These panels offer long lifespan and minimal degradation. With reliable performance in various conditions, Grew Energy's TOPCon panels maximize your solar investment.