So you’ve been mulling the idea of getting a solar power system for your business. One thing that you might have wondered is how much electricity do solar power systems produce, and is the amount enough to power your business needs.
Today, let’s try to address that question.
Factors That Affect Solar Energy Production
There are many factors that affect how much electricity a solar power system can produce. Below are some examples:
Solar Panel Array Size
Solar panel array size is not the sole indicator of how much electricity a solar power system can produce; however, they do factor in the equation. This is because a solar panel is composed of individual solar cells that work together to produce electricity. Generally speaking, the more solar cells there are, the more electricity they can generate.
Solar Panel Efficiency
A solar panel’s ability to efficiently convert solar energy into the electricity that powers homes and businesses can vary depending on their material. For example, monocrystalline solar panels have relatively high efficiency compared to polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels, with new monocrystalline panels posting as high as 23.6% efficiency, polycrystalline panels around 21.25%, and thin-film solar panels trailing behind at a little above 11%.
Now, efficiency is only part of the picture. It might actually make sense to install panels that have a lower efficiency from a financial point of view. This is where is important to speak with your solar installer to work out the most appropriate solar panel for you.
Rated Wattage
A solar panel’s rated wattage is the maximum amount of power that it can generate under ideal conditions. The average rated wattage for solar panels in the market is between 200 - 400 watts.
Sunlight Conditions
Energy from the sun being the driving force behind your solar power system the amount of electricity it can generate will depend on different sunlight conditions like the number of daylight hours in a day, their intensity, and the total number of hours when your system gets full sun exposure versus the number of hours when they don’t.
Solar Angle
The path of the sun changes throughout the seasons. To get as much solar energy as you can, your solar power system needs to be angled to get maximum sun exposure.
Physical Obstructions
Obstructions that prevent your solar power system from getting maximum exposure to the sun can prevent your solar power system from functioning at full capacity. These may include everything from trees, chimneys, nearby buildings, and signage.
Computing Solar Energy Production
Because of all the factors mentioned above, putting an exact figure on how much electricity solar power systems can produce can be a challenge. Studies aimed at arriving at the closest estimate possible, however, have been conducted.
Here’s a short but very helpful table from the Clean Energy Council to help give you a quick idea of the average solar output of PV systems in Australia.
Designing an Optimum Solar Power System
Designing a solar power system that is optimised for your unique property is key to getting the most out of it. Of course, suppliers like Energy Terrain are specialised in this process and can help you through it all. We work with professional solar installers, who design a system that’s specifically tailored around your needs.
Energy Terrain
Energy Terrain offers affordable solar solutions for businesses that are looking to tap into solar energy to reduce their energy bills.
Get in touch with our Sales Team today. We are happy to walk you through how your business can benefit from each plan.
References:
Renew Economy, Trina sets world record of 21.25% efficiency with multicrystalline silicon, viewed 19 December 2018, <https://reneweconomy.com.au/trina-sets-world-record-of-21-25-efficiency-with-multicrystalline-silicon-64922/>
Renew Economy, LONGi Solar breaks its own world record for the highest efficiency of monocrystalline PERC solar cells, viewed 19 December 2018, <https://reneweconomy.com.au/longi-solar-breaks-world-record-highest-efficiency-monocrystalline-perc-solar-cells-65267/>
University of New South Wales, UNSW team lands new efficiency breakthrough for emerging solar cell material, viewed 19 December 2018, <https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/unsw-team-lands-new-efficiency-breakthrough-emerging-solar-cell-material>
Clean Energy Council, Consumer Guide to Buying Household Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Panels), viewed 19 December 2018
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