Solar System Sizing is Important

The number of solar panels is a critical factor for sizing your solar system. We recommend starting with how much electricity you use in a month and then figuring out how many additional kilowatt-hours you might produce with solar panels. To put that into words: , Generally if go for a 3-4 panel system, and you usually use 525 kilowatt-hours per month. You can mitigate about 75% of your electricity usage. However, if your electrical needs are more significant, we recommend talking to a solar specialist about adding more panels to cover the difference. The average commercial solar panels on the market today run at about 15-22% efficiency.

When you purchase solar panels, the amount of energy from sunlight (sunlight conversion efficiency) that is transformed into electricity is a key-value point for solar consumers. What’s more, monitoring the energy supply and consumption generates metrics that are helpful to homeowners in making informed decisions about running a solar home. This article will look at the difference between measurement metrics and efficiency metrics and how the latter can help make better use of your solar panels.

Individual Panel Efficiency Matters

What if I told you that not all solar cells are created equal? That’s right, at least in terms of efficiency. The average commercial solar panels on the market today run at about 15-22% efficiency. Sound low? It’s not. It’s a measurement considering current technology that helps us power our homes from the sun’s rays. Sure, if the sun produces 100% energy, solar systems can process 15-22% of the sun’s power into usable energy.

Custom System’s Designed for Your Home

The Glyde solar energy system is engineered specifically for homes in the United States. The panels can generate tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours over the solar system’s life. The panels are installed by professionally licensed and trained electricians at a fraction of the cost of other solar companies. Our qualified installers design your solar systems to add value to your home, not detract from it. Glyde solar panels offer you a total package to get clean energy. The fifteen to twenty-two percent of usable energy is enough for your home, and battery storage will keep it going for even longer. Glyde solar batteries will keep you running as long as you still have energy in them when you need power at night or during a blackout or power outage!

Solar panels are an excellent choice for all your power needs, even when the clouds are present. The sun shines even if there is a shadow, meaning that the solar panels continue to grab the sun’s rays. This is an efficient way to provide power in the home.

How does Panel Efficiency Change with Weather?

Solar panels perform best in direct sunlight, which may not be possible during winter. But let’s not be pessimistic here! While you need to consider that your panels will produce less energy during the colder months, your panels also get a clean as they give off heat and melt any snow covering them.

Solar panels work all year long, rain or shine, and even on cloudy days. The cold weather can help keep the entire system running cooler, increasing their efficiency and potentially giving you a boost in performance during the colder months. Solar panel output begins to fall if the temperature rises above 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).  In a place like Seattle, Washington, solar has proven an effective way to cut down on energy costs and save due to their payback incentives and net-metering policies.

Rooftop solar panels typically face the sun and run along a rooftop’s slope, which sheds snow well. Even though a few solar panels covered in the snow won’t significantly impact your system’s yearly production, it is best to examine your panels periodically to make sure they’re clear. If you do notice that your panels are obstructed somehow, we recommend that you call a professional to clear the obstruction to keep your panels from potentially getting damaged.

If you have solar panels, they don’t stop producing energy in the rain, and in fact, rain even helps them. Raindrops carry away the dust that can block sunlight from reaching your panels. Rain also washes dirt and dust off your panels, allowing them to work better.

We work with customers to build solar systems to provide the clean energy their homes and businesses need. We design, build and maintain solar arrays for your home, site-appropriate for the weather conditions in your area. From the moment we begin working with you, our goal is to partner with you to build a solar system tailored to meet your unique needs.

How Solar can Help you!

If you’ve followed our Solar Articles, you know that the same solar system on different homes can produce different results. Your solar panels need to be installed based on your home’s location and the amount of sun you get throughout the year. We consider several factors: trees, angle, size of the roof, and the temperature in your area – to name just a few components. They all have a play in the durability of your system.

Glyde Solar analyzes each unique home and recommends a solar system that best fits your energy needs to produce the most power and save you money. We use the latest technology to design a rooftop solar system that integrates seamlessly with your home’s features for efficiency, safety, and longevity.

Glyde Solar is a trusted provider of solar panels and other solar system components. As a dedicated solar service company, we offer our clients the best quality for their solar panel production, installation, and repair needs.

Wondering how to reduce your monthly energy bill? Are you tired of unpredictable utility rates and want security and guaranteed savings with a solar plan? We are experts in all things solar, from system design, installation, and ongoing service. Contact us today for a free solar quote.