Electricity holds a critical significance in the economic growth of any country. Many nations are progressing rapidly, however if growth is to stay steadfast, the accessibility to a continuous supply of electricity is quintessential. In order to stimulate development in every sector, whether it is a large or small-scale manufacturing, education or healthcare, electricity is a key aspect.
There are numerous obstacles which keep the power industry from unleashing its true capabilities. One of the major roadblocks is the availability and accessibility of fuel. Ironically, India has the 5th largest reservoir of coal in the world and yet our thermal plants are highly dependent on imported coal. This is why the cost of energy production increases, which leads to operational inefficiencies and unstable financial health. Therefore, governments and decision-makers are now emphasizing energy efficient solutions to mitigate the dependence on energy imports.
In addition, the colossal waves of urbanization and industrialization have hit every nook and corner of the world, making energy crunch an inevitable possibility in the coming years. To combat these situations, multiple industrialists, businesses and organizations are now migrating to renewable sources such as solar energy. This source of alternative power can not only compensate for demand for traditional energy sources (coal and gas), but also lay the groundwork for a greener and cleaner future.
However, building a quality infrastructure for solar production necessitates investors to make informed decisions regarding;
- The type of panels and supporting equipment
- Track-record of the EPC player
- Location of the installation
- Measurement of efficiency
- Post-Installation care and so forth
With each passing day, investment in commercial photovoltaic is increasing manifold. Firstly, because the performance of the panels has improved dramatically. Secondly, there is also mounting pressure by authorities on manufacturers and businesses to employ renewable energy sources with the goals to prevent climate change by constructing zero-carbon buildings.
The upfront cost of a solar plant is generally higher, that is why the efficiency of the panel equates with the return on investment (ROI). Numerous businesses invest their capital on commercial solar panels without assessing the upkeep and installation considerations to make panels efficient throughout their lifetime. As a result, these panels fail to generate ample amounts of electricity to support the power needs of a business.
Businesses should be mindful about a variety of factors to uphold maximum solar panels efficiency. Let’s walk you through the tips that can considerably transform and improve the efficiency and energy harvest.
- Always spend in top-grade panels
The excellence of the photovoltaic panels you select influences the efficiency levels. Nowadays, most PV cells are mostly made with silicon. Its sanctity is a major contributor to the yield. The effectiveness and production levels of crystalline silicon solar panels can vary as per the purity of the cells used in it.
For instance, Monocrystalline panels have humongous, cylinder – shaped, silicon ingots that are sectioned into four parts to form the solar cells. They have noticeably uniform colors and rims. In comparison to polycrystalline photovoltaic panels, they are relatively more proficient and costly as well. They work well for projects that have limited space.
If you have ample space, you can always pick polycrystalline panels. Here, molten silicon is shaped using square-shaped moulds. Once the silicon cools down, the moulds are cut and used to form solar cells on arrays. Since this is a less expensive manufacturing method, the panels are generally cheaper than monocrystalline panels. Monocrystalline panels can also withstand the hot weather without harming the efficiency.
- Deploying solar panels in shaded locations should be prevented.
Because solar panels produce energy from the photons, it comes down to the fact that shade reduces conversion efficiency. Although, many investors are unaware of the impact of shade on solar arrays.
Even if it is only one solar cell that is located in the shaded area, it could have an adverse influence on the power produced by its surrounding cells. It starts acting as a resistor instead of a driver.
Tree branches as well as other structural elements nearby the installation spot are the two most common culprits. As an investor, you should ensure that you spend time during the planning phase analyzing the site to guarantee that shade will not be an area of concern.
- Orientation and Positioning
Solar panels must be directed correctly in order to obtain an abundant amount of sunlight throughout the day. While determining the alignment, you must consider the location and altitude of your property. Competent and experienced EPC installers would be capable of mounting arrays ideally and compensate for any disadvantage in the installation site.
With that, solar trackers enable solar panels to tweak their placement in response to the changing position of the sun, although they are frequently incredibly expensive.
The position and angle are two key aspects to consider when configuring panels. For highest exposure to sunlight, they should be assembled at an angle ranging from 18-36 degrees. Panels must be oriented south if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. However, they should point to the north, if the installation is in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Partner with a reputed EPC player
Do your research and join hands with EPC players who have a proven track-record of installation and expertise in the domain. EPC players take care of the project from the designing, procurement, installation to service stage. Since they are one-stop solution providers, you don’t have to rely on other vendors for parts and equipment.
Additionally, temperature has an implication on solar panel effectiveness. As the temperature goes beyond the normal levels, the efficiency of solar panels declines. During deployment, sufficient space should be given between the solar panels and the roof or between the arrays. It provides optimum air flow and keeps your photovoltaic panels from excessive heat.
- Regular maintenance of the panels
Once installed, these panels or arrays require regular minimal maintenance as they don’t have an automated cleaning system. Nevertheless, it is ideal to wash the solar panels on a routine basis because dust particles could build up on the top layer and reduce the efficiency.
Dust may still induce a 5% decrease in outcome over the duration of a year. Even so, if they become filthy – in areas where the intensity of rainfall is low, then the harvest can drop by more than 20%. Accumulated leaves, dust and bird droppings can cover the upper surface and block the sun completely.
Way Forward with Novergy
Novergy offers Very High Efficiency Crystalline Silicon solar panels made using the highest quality raw materials under stringent manufacturing standards. Our Half-cut Solar panels consistently deliver reliable power and more kWh energy (up to 60% or higher) for an extended period of time with significantly lower degradation.
The cell efficiency of these solar panels is greater than 21%. These solar panels are available in different wattages reaching up to 350w and with various cell configurations such as 72 cells, 60 cells, and 36 cells.
The twin peak solar panels effectively give maximum throughput with its smarter and sturdy design for all weather conditions.
The twin peak solar panel is a promising investment in saving long term energy costs.
These solar panels are backed by a 25 years linear warranty resulting in a more stable performance assurance and ensuring complete peace of mind for the customer.
Novergy, with more than 14 years of experience and track-record of successful installations, can be your ideal EPC partner. It can help you achieve maximum energy yield with professionally installed, maintained and monitored solar panels. Explore the diverse range of our products, visit Novergy!