How to Maximize the Power of a Solar Panel

Instructions

• 1

  Avoid placing a solar panel in an area shaded by trees, buildings or other objects. Solar cells are connected in series, so the whole unit will operate at the current level of the weakest cell. If even part of a panel is in shadow, it can affect the whole system and reduce the amount of power produced.

• 2

  Place solar panels on roofs that face south in the Northern Hemisphere. In the winter, the sun rises in the southeast, is in the south by midday and sets in the southwest. In the summer, the sun rises in the northeast, is high in the south by midday and sets in the northwest. At any time of year, sunlight is weakest from the north. Therefore, south-facing solar panels maximize power production.

• 3

  Calculate the angle of the panels, which has a significant impact on their performance. Throughout the day and year, the angle of the sun changes, along with the panels' exposure to sunlight. A rule of thumb to obtain an angle that maximizes efficiency is to take your latitude and add 15 degrees to it in the winter or subtract 15 degrees to it in the summer. However, most residential owners cannot adjust the angle of their panels. Because most solar panels are placed on a home's roof, the solar panel's angle is limited to the angle of the roof.

• 4

  Clean the panels regularly to remove dirt and debris, which block sunlight and reduce the panels' efficiency. Dishwashing soap is most commonly used. For a fee, you can have your panels cleaned professionally.