Renewable energy is the future of the modern generation’s rising energy demands. Hence, many efforts are made to unlock the potential of solar energy. It stands out as one of the most promising and cleanest electricity generation options. Thanks to the solar panels, these photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight into electricity. Being a popular choice for commercial and industrial use, many people look to understand the different aspects like calculations of their daily power production. This article gives us information on understanding the different factors affecting the daily power output followed by the easiest solution on how to calculate solar panel output.
Importance of the solar panel power output
Before jumping to the calculations part, it is essential to understand the importance of solar power calculations for a household or a commercial building. Firstly, the higher the kWh of your solar panel, the more electricity it will produce. Here, the “peak sun hours” formula helps calculate the location’s latitude, longitude, and average weather conditions or find out the amount of sunlight received by the panels. A good estimate of the peak sun hours offers precision in solar panel calculations. Not to miss is that with these calculations in hand, it becomes easy to find out the size of the system required to power your facility with solar energy.
How many kWh does a solar panel produce per day?
For the calculations of daily power production for each kW of solar panel, here are the key steps: You must know the wattage and amount of sunlight received by the solar panel. Let us say that the wattage here is 300 watts and it receives 4 hours of sunlight daily. So, the kWh output of the solar panel daily = Wattage (W) * Hours of sunlight * Efficiency In this case, kWh of solar panel = 300 * 4 * 0.2, where the efficiency of the solar panel is 20%. = 2.4 kWh
Factors affecting the daily solar power calculations
With a quick solar panels KWH calculator in hand, it is essential to consider here that several factors may impact this production. Here are some of the key factors impacting the process to calculate solar panel output:
- Tracking system
This system effectively adjusts the position of the solar panels to track the sun’s movement throughout the day. These systems are popularly used in residential and commercial accommodations. The optimization of the panel orientation helps in increasing the daily power production when compared to the fixed-tilt systems. So, it is important for any solar panel system to have a functional tracking system.
- Inverter efficiency
Solar inverters convert the direct current or DC produced by the solar cells into usable alternating current or AC for use in residential or commercial places. So, inverter efficiency plays a crucial role in the overall system performance. Any losses during the DC to AC conversion process affect the usable energy generated amount significantly. Hence, the selection of high-efficiency inverters is a must for high solar panel energy production.
- Temperature effects
The temperature coefficient defines the impact of temperature on solar panels. It refers to the decrease in solar panel efficiency due to the temperature rise. Hence, solar panels generate less electricity on hot days when compared to cool days. The excessive heat creates a performance decline in the solar panels. So, it is essential to maintain proper spacing and ventilation between the different panels. It helps in maintaining the optimal operating temperatures and dissipating heat properly to reduce the energy generation losses.
- Shading
The impact of the shading from nearby objects like trees, buildings, or other structures to solar panels affects its kWh production. A partial shading on some of the panels can reduce the overall energy output of the system. So, it is essential to ensure that the site assessment and panels are positioned properly to minimize the shading effects on the panel. The reduced shading leads to highest solar panel power output.
- System orientation
The orientation and tilt angle of the solar panels impact the solar energy output. It is different for the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth. In the northern hemisphere, the solar panels are tilted towards the south to capture the maximum sunlight throughout the day. This tilt angle further depends on the latitude of the installation site. Many prefer to go for tilting the solar panels according to the seasonal changes offering the highest energy yields. It is best taken care of by the solar panel installation experts.
- Panel efficiency
The efficiency of the solar panels affects the total solar panel energy production. Modern solar panels have an efficiency of around 15% to 22%. The latest technological advancements focus on improving this figure significantly. Here, the high-efficiency panels create more electricity than the low-efficiency ones for a given sunlight amount. Hence, the overall power production of the installed capacity increases significantly with the rise in solar panel efficiency.
- Solar irradiance
It is the term referring to the total amount of sunlight energy received per unit area at a given time and location. It is measured in kilowatts per square meter or kW/m square. The solar irradiance is not the same throughout the day. Further, it depends on different factors like geographical location, weather conditions, and time of the year. The high levels of solar irradiance lead to high levels of energy production from solar panels.
Summing Thoughts
So, with a little understanding, it is easy for any individual to calculate the daily power production for each kW of solar panel. It helps find out the total size of the system to power your facility. The easy formula ensures that your solar power calculations are precise. Not to miss is a quick look over the different factors affecting the average solar panel output per day.
