How to Increase the Output of a Solar Panel

Solar panels can be used to generate electricity and heat energy for homes.

Solar panels, or photovoltaics, are becoming an increasingly common way to generate electricity, not just by big utility companies but also by people in their own homes.



According to the U.S Green Building Council's Green Home Guide, to produce one kilowatt of energy per year, 80 to 100 square feet of solar panels are required. To keep the area of solar panels, and so the cost of installation, to a minimum, there are ways to increase the efficiency of solar panels.

Things You'll Need

• Photovoltaic cells (solar panels), installed
• Sun-tracking mounts (optional)

Instructions

Optimising Solar Panel Output

1. Consult the manufacturer of the solar panels before purchase on the efficiency of the panels. This can be affected by the design and components of the panels. The efficiency of solar panels can cover a wide range, so be sure to check this.

   More efficient solar panels will cost more to buy but will generate more energy in the long term; it is important to properly assess the amount of electricity required in order to make the decision that will be most cost effective.

2. 

   The amount of sunlight falling on a solar panel will affect its insolation.

   Place the solar panels in a location on the property where they are most likely to be in direct sunlight. Solar panels work by converting light rays from the sun into useable energy and to do this, the more direct light they receive, the better.

   Although direct sunlight all day long is not possible in most locations, solar panels should be placed in an area most likely to receive the sun's rays. Even if the sun is not shining on the solar panels directly, they can still convert the light which does fall on them to energy, albeit not at an optimum level. It is important to place the solar panels where there is the least chance of shade from overhanging objects blocking the sunlight.

   The amount of light recieved by a solar panel, and so transferred into energy, is known as the 'insolation' of the solar panel.

3. 

   The angle of the solar panels can alter their insolation.

   Measure the angle at which the solar panel is resting. To gain optimum insolation, the panel should be tilted, relative to the horizontal axis, to a different amount depending on the latitude of its location, and also the season.

   According to "Macslab", the optimum angle during winter is approximately 25 degrees greater than the degree of latitude.

4. Consider using panels which are installed on mounts that can follow the sun throughout the sky, thereby optimising the amount of light which can be received regardless of the time of day or the season.

   Solar panels on these types of mounts have the greatest insolation and so produce energy the most efficiently. They also eliminate the need to manually alter the panels every season change.

References

• U.S Green Building Council's Green Home Guide: I want to convert my home to solar energy. Should I install panels on the roof or build a trellis?
• Solar Power Beginner: Solar Panel Efficiency: How Much Electricity Will You Get?
• Macs Lab: Optimum Orientation of Solar Panels
• Solar Panel Info: How Do Solar Panels Work?