Facts About Solar Panel Efficiency
If you are thinking of installing solar panels on your home, you are making important steps towards not just saving yourself a huge amount of money, but also making a great contribution to the environment, making the planet a better place for the next generations.
But what really is solar panel efficiency and how is it measured? You should always try to find out information about the efficiency of the solar panels you are thinking of, because this will determine how much of the energy you use in your home will be created by the solar panels.
If you are trying to find out the solar panel efficiency, you will first need to know the energy consumption of your home. Depending on which solar panels you will be installing will determine whether you need to measure the amount of electricity you use (solar photovoltaic panels) or how much heating and hot water (solar thermal), or both of course.
Solar panels are only able to produce a set amount of energy, depending on their position and the weather conditions. Solar panels don't need direct sunlight, but they do need daylight. Very northern parts of the country have shorter days during the winter, meaning that your panels' efficiency will be reduced.
If you have a very large amount of appliances, or very old appliances that are not energy efficient, or if you have a large home, it is likely that a single set of solar panels will not be sufficient to provide you will all your energy, lowering the efficiency of your panels. You can make small changes in your lifestyle to increase this though, for example by installing energy saving light bulbs.
Another thing that will determine the solar panel efficiency is the manufacturer and seller of the panels themselves. As solar panels have increased in popularity, there also has been an increase in so called "cowboy builders".
Cowboy builders will use low quality materials in their panels and poor installation techniques, meaning that their efficiency will be greatly reduced. This is why, if your are thinking of installing solar panels - be they solar photovoltaic or solar thermal - you should always request a minimum of three separate quotations.
These should be free and of no obligation and you need to make sure that you have received very clear information on the type of construction and materials that are used in the panels. You may also want to source some recommendations and reviews on each of the companies, to ensure you will receive value for money.
Solar panel efficiency will determine how long it will take you to regain your initial investment through reductions in your energy bills, so do make sure you go for the best possible ones.
But what really is solar panel efficiency and how is it measured? You should always try to find out information about the efficiency of the solar panels you are thinking of, because this will determine how much of the energy you use in your home will be created by the solar panels.
If you are trying to find out the solar panel efficiency, you will first need to know the energy consumption of your home. Depending on which solar panels you will be installing will determine whether you need to measure the amount of electricity you use (solar photovoltaic panels) or how much heating and hot water (solar thermal), or both of course.
Solar panels are only able to produce a set amount of energy, depending on their position and the weather conditions. Solar panels don't need direct sunlight, but they do need daylight. Very northern parts of the country have shorter days during the winter, meaning that your panels' efficiency will be reduced.
If you have a very large amount of appliances, or very old appliances that are not energy efficient, or if you have a large home, it is likely that a single set of solar panels will not be sufficient to provide you will all your energy, lowering the efficiency of your panels. You can make small changes in your lifestyle to increase this though, for example by installing energy saving light bulbs.
Another thing that will determine the solar panel efficiency is the manufacturer and seller of the panels themselves. As solar panels have increased in popularity, there also has been an increase in so called "cowboy builders".
Cowboy builders will use low quality materials in their panels and poor installation techniques, meaning that their efficiency will be greatly reduced. This is why, if your are thinking of installing solar panels - be they solar photovoltaic or solar thermal - you should always request a minimum of three separate quotations.
These should be free and of no obligation and you need to make sure that you have received very clear information on the type of construction and materials that are used in the panels. You may also want to source some recommendations and reviews on each of the companies, to ensure you will receive value for money.
Solar panel efficiency will determine how long it will take you to regain your initial investment through reductions in your energy bills, so do make sure you go for the best possible ones.
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