What affects the performance of solar systems?
What affects the performance of solar systems?
Weather and temperatureWeather naturally affects the performance of solar modules but not entirely as you might expect. The amount of sunlight, of course, is most important in determining the output a solar electric system will produce at a given location, but temperature is also important.
Contrary to most people's intuition, solar electric panels actually generate more power at lower temperatures with other factors being equal. This is because solar cells are electronic devices and generate electricity from light, not heat. Like most electronic devices, solar cells operate more efficiently at cooler temperatures. In temperate climates, solar panels will generate less energy in the winter than in the summer but this is due to the shorter days, lower sun angles and greater cloud cover, not the cooler temperatures.
Solar modules' output is proportional to the sun's intensity, so cloud cover will reduce the system output. Typically, the output of any industrial solar module is reduced to five to 20% of its full sun output when it operates under cloudy conditions.
BP Solar is the only manufacturer offering a premium product based on monocrystalline cells with laser grooving and buried contacts, called Saturn. Manufactured exclusively at BP Solar's facility in Madrid, the Saturn cell is one of the highest efficiency cells commercially available. Although more expensive to manufacture, the additional power generated makes these cells very attractive in tight spaces.
Solar cells are wired in series to increase the voltage levels. Typically, 36 cells are wired in series to make a 12V battery charging module. Any number of cells can be connected in series and most commercial modules sold today incorporate 50, 60 or 72 cells.