A Look At How Local Climate Affects Efficiency Of Solar Panels
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by: MasonReagan | Total views: 22 | Word Count: 397
People often wonder how local climate affects efficiency of solar panels. When built they have their efficiency rated for an average home in an average area (if such a place exists!) However several factors can affect the efficiency of the unit.
The main thing affecting the efficiency is the distance the panels are north or south of the equator. Because the sun is is a different position in the sky relative to places on earth according to their latitude, the amount of solar radiation which a panel receives varies considerably. It is the solar radiation that provides most of the energy collected by solar panels.
Homes near the equator have the sun almost overhead and receive the greatest possible amount of solar radiation. Those in higher latitudes have the sun at a lower angle in the sky and receive lower amounts. A range of solar panels are produced to compensate for these variations.
Whatever its distance relative to the equator, the aspect of the property is all important. South to southwest facing panels will collect much more solar radiation than panels facing in other directions. Whether the property is on the west or east side of the country may also make a difference, the west seeming to receive more solar radiation generally.
You might expect a property with a south to south east aspect to be on a par with one on a south to south west aspect, but this is not the case. Early morning sun often appears lower in the sky. There is often mist or cloud about just after dawn, which affects the amount of solar radiation reaching the panels.
Any shading effect, however weak, will affect the efficiency of all the panels, as the unit will work at the capacity of the weakest (shaded) one. Apart from this general cause affecting the efficiency of the panels, local conditions can also affect their efficiency.
For example, one house with a south facing aspect may fall under shadow from a tree, another building, or a hill, causing its panels to work at a lower capacity. The houses either side of it may miss this entirely, simply because they are a few feet higher on the ground.
Equally, a property in a cooler area may be so favorably situated, perhaps on a slight rise in a clearing, that it gets more sunlight on its solar panels than the neighbors and therefore more energy.
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Finding a solar panel sale may sound like a great deal, but consider output carefully. You can go solar and save money, but you'll start recouping your investment sooner if you find a good overall deal.
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