Solar Panels: As you explore your choices for solar panels, you can come across the word “solar panel quality.” But what does the word really mean? How much does solar panel quality matter in the long run? Is that the only thing or are there other features of commercial solar panels to be mindful of when testing and contrasting your choices?
As you will see, there are definitely other things to remember. And it’s just as important to recognize and consider as you evaluate your choices
What does solar panel efficiency actually mean, and why does it matter?
“Solar panel efficiency” is a measure of how much of the sun’s energy a solar panel is able to convert into electricity under ideal, laboratory-like conditions. For example, a panel with a 15% efficiency rate would produce an amount of power equal to 15% of what it receives from the sun. On average, today’s commercially available solar panels are capable of achieving an efficiency rate of 15 to 24 per cent based on technology.
Because any solar panel you buy would have a certain watt value, reliability will not seem all that significant at first glance. After all, how different will two panels really be?
The response is somewhat different, and this is why: greater versatility comes with greater productivity. You will produce the same amount of electricity in less room with less panels—and optimise the power output from the space you have available. Fewer panels also entail lower installation costs. And if you didn’t have to use all the available space originally, having fewer panels makes it possible to instal more down the line if the electricity needs change. So while you can save money by paying a cheaper price for less powerful screens, you can keep these other things in mind.
Three key questions for testing and measuring the performance of commercial solar panels:
- What’s the quality rating of the panels?
- What’s the height of the panels? How much and what square feet would you need to produce the electricity your company needs?
- How quick is it going to be to add panels to your installation in the future?
Durability and degradation rate: Finding panels you can count on for the long term
The durability of your commercial solar panels is just as important as their efficiency. How long can you count on them to deliver the performance you were expecting when they were purchased? Sustainability matters when it comes to major business investment such as solar—one subject to frequent highs and lows in temperature, wind, snow and humidity.
And we’re not just concerned about maintenance or replacement costs.
It is therefore necessary to remember the cost of wasted electricity, as well as the administrative hours expended as problems are resolved. The less robust the panels, the more likely you are to waste time filling out claims forms, waiting for the panels to be fixed, and losing essential solar power.
The rate of corrosion of your solar panels goes hand in hand with longevity. Over time, the efficiency of all solar panels is deteriorating. The challenge is to determine if the money you’d save up front on low-quality panels overwhelms the costs of faster depreciation over time.
Just as critical as their reliability is the longevity of your panels, and how long you can rely on them to provide the result you promised when they were bought. How worthy are the panels of managing anything Mother Nature throws her way? When it comes to major business investment such as solar—one subject to frequent highs and lows in temperature, wind, snow and humidity—durability matters.
It is therefore necessary to remember the cost of wasted electricity, as well as the administrative hours expended as problems are resolved. The less robust the panels, the more likely you are to waste time filling out claims forms, waiting for the panels to be fixed, and losing essential solar power.
Choosing cheaper panels will help you meet your financial targets more easily. Keep in mind, however, that even a tenth of a percentage point variation in the annual rate of decay will have a huge effect on how much energy the device consumes.
For certain solar producers, only the product warranty of their panels protects loss due to product faults or workmanship—and their power warranty does not mention any defects at all. So, if a defect occurs after the manufacturer warranty expires, you’re going to be out of luck.
Besides understanding what is protected by your commercial solar panel warranty, it’s also important to know what isn’t. Any guarantees, for example, preclude continuous shade, proximity to salt or marine conditions. Microcracks in cells (a symptom of power loss) or disruption caused during transport can also be excluded. Any vendors can also exempt warranty coverage if you do not have the initial paper receipt or annual cleaning records—or charge fines if a fault is detected.
Three key questions for assessing and measuring commercial solar panel longevity and degradation:
- Are there special features intended to keep panels running under harsh conditions (i.e. severe temperature changes, strong winds, repeated snow loading and moisture)?
- What is the historical failure rate of the panel?
- What is the estimated rate of deterioration of solar panels and how would this impact the energy production over the lifetime of your system?
Performances: get the most energy out of your panels
As discussed earlier, the efficiency of the solar panel is calculated under perfect, lab-like circumstances. But truth can be a lot, a lot different. On the roof, in less-than-optimal light or under high temperatures, solar panels are unable to reach their performance rating.
That’s why it’s critical to know their real-world performance—the amount of energy you can reasonably anticipate considering the particulars of your installation style and place.
Solar suppliers and installers should be able to show you the efficiency of the panels depending on the weather background of your location, the position of your panels and how much average sunlight they are likely to obtain over the year.
