We can see that the solar system is playing a huge role in Australia and nearby areas and a competitive substitute for fossil fuels and for those who want to choose a green and clean energy environment for a better future, especially for residential and commercial projects.Temperature is a critical factor that influences the performance of solar panels. It can have both direct and indirect effects on the efficiency of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
So the main question here comes:
Does temperature affect solar panels efficiency?
As we discussed earlier, temperature is a coefficient and a crucial aspect of efficiency of solar panels in different temperatures as well as different climatic conditions.
Here are the glimpse of what we are showing in this topic:
- What the solar panel temperature coefficient is
- The effect of temperature on solar panels
- Factors that influence a solar panel temperature coefficient
- How to optimise your panels’ efficiency
SOLAR PANEL TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT:
It is a metre which represents the rate at which the efficiency of solar decreases as soon as temperature rises. And nowadays, as there is high temperature it is important to know about the metre. It is an important factor because of solar panels operations which work effectively when it is in direct sunlight.
And there is a drawback also when it comes regarding temperature coefficient: Mostly, solar panels have a negative temperature coefficient too.
What is negative solar efficient?
It means when a little bit of temperature also rises then the efficiency decreases i.e, negatively correlated or we can say that solar panels work when it gets too hot( which is highly unlikely to say).
In other words, the Negative Coefficient indicates that when temperature rises then a certain %age drops in solar panels efficiency And in general solar panels work efficiently in 59 degree Fahrenheit. Then we can assume that solar panel temperature ranges between 59 degree to 95 degree Fahrenheit for general function.
Factors Affecting Solar Panels Temperature Coefficient
1. Panel Designs and Layout:
The structure, layout and design of solar panels plays a key role in affecting the solar panels temperature coefficient. There are 2 types of solar panels: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline silicon where both ranges are different in every way and have approx coefficients ranging from -0.44 to 0.50 degree. There is one more type, Thin film solar panels where they have a tendency of lower temperature compared to other 2 panels.
2. Roof Materials:
Certain rooftop like roof mounted or ground mounted can absorb heat better but certain roof types can affect solar panel temperature. In terms of roofing types like Asphalt shingles, Metal, Tile, Wood etc are preferred.
Asphalt shingles:This type doesn’t absorb much sunlight.
Metal:This type is great at reflecting sunlight.
Tile
Tar and gravel
Wood/ synthetic cedar:This is a great option for a ground-mounted system or community solar farm.
Or we can say the lighter the colour the better efficiency. You want your roofing material to have a high solar reflectance so your roof itself remains cool and doesn’t increase panels’ temperature. As we noted earlier, your panels lose efficiency if they go past their ideal solar panel temperature coefficient.
3. Location:
Climatic changes and average temperature are important factors influencing solar panel efficiency. In hot and humid locations like Texas or Florida one has to deal with average daily temperature, which comes to the conclusion that solar panels are very hot and far from cool temperature. So, for this one needs to take every possible precautions for keeping panels cool. Also shading from trees and buildings , chimneys etc too affect solar panel temperature coefficient.
How temperature coefficient affects energy production is determined by two elements: Climate and average temp. At the place of installation
How to optimise efficiency:
One can optimise the solar energy system in other ways to produce maximum energy like: select high quality solar panels having lower temperature coefficients which enhances strategies( proper ventilation, spacing, shading and roofing materials).
For more info you can contact directly to https://esteemenergy.com.au/.