Are you thinking about going solar for your home but aren’t sure if it’s truly worth it? You may have read that the most efficient solar panels on market are just 23% efficient.
Many technologies have been developed by researchers to improve photovoltaic (PV) efficiency. They are becoming constant features on several solar panel brand offering both first- & second-generation solar cells, which is good news for energy-conscious consumers.
Technology For Solar Panels To Improve Efficiency
Here’s a quick rundown of the significant PV efficiency advancements to date, as well as a look towards the future of photovoltaics.
Passivated Rear Emitter Cell (Perc)
PERC is an add-on technique that intends to increase the efficiency of 1st-generation solar cells, as thin-film technology emerged in the 1980s.
Two layers are placed to back of crystalline silicon cells in this process. They improve electron mobility within the cell. They also reflect light that has already passed via the cell onto the surface, allowing it to be transformed into useful electricity.
PERC provides a 1% efficiency boost, which is relatively small at best.
Furthermore, PERC solar cells are prone to a type of degradation known as “light and elevated temperature-induced degradation,” or Le TID, which causes efficiency to decrease with time.
According to one study, PERC can reduce efficiency by up to 20% in 2-3 years.
Hopefully, future advances will address the issue of PERC’s lower efficiency. Check your insurance to seen if your PERC-better system is protected for power outages in the meantime. Look for a power warranty of at least 83 percent over 25 years. (That is, the solar system is generating 83+ percent of its initial electricity output after 25 years.)
Technology With Half-Cells
Did you know that 20-30% shade can reduce the output power of a single module by up to 40%? You’ve just wasted money on energy savings.
Solar energy has a difficulty with shading on a specific panel & the resulting power loss. This is not similar is applying shading to many panels. To fix this problem, you’ll need something like a microinverter.
Bypass diodes considerably reduce the problem of efficiency due to shading on a single cell, but it never hurts to be safe. It’s possible thanks to half-cell technology.
Half-cell technologies is based on the idea that having more PV cell means having less resistance to electron flow in the circuit. A normal 60-cell module, for example, will include 120 half cells — each cut in half — with just half the resistance.
This means that the electric current passing through your array will encounter less resistance, resulting in somewhat higher efficiency.
Solar Panel And Energy Benefits
Source Of Renewable Energy
Among the many advantages of solar panels, most crucial is that it is a fully renewable energy source. It can be used in any part of the world Z & is available at all times. Solar energy, unlike certain other forms of energy, cannot be depleted.
Solar energy will be available as long as the sun exists, therefore we will have access to it for at minimum 5 billion years after the sun dies, according to scientists.
Saves Money On Electricity Bills
Your energy bills will go down since you’ll be able to meet some of your needs with the electricity generated by the solar system. The amount of the solar system & the amount power or warmth you consume influence how much money you save on your bill.
For example, if your company uses commercial solar panels, switching to this system might save you a lot of money because the larger system size can cover a lot of your energy expenses.
You also may be eligible for Clever Export Guarantee payments for any excess energy you transfer back to the grid (SEG). If your solar panel system is connected to grid and your produce much energy than you utilize.