Solar panels have become increasingly attractive to both homeowners and businesses aiming to cut their carbon emissions and reduce electricity bills. The appeal has grown significantly, as evidenced by a 114% increase in renewable energy installations in the early part of 2023. Despite the drop in solar panel costs, making them a wise investment, it’s crucial to understand how and why their efficiency may wane over time.
Battle Against Environmental Wear and Tear
The environment plays a big part in the gradual decline of solar panel efficiency. Elements like debris, dust and bird droppings, alongside weather-induced damages from hail or heavy snow, can obscure sunlight and physically impact the panels. Coastal installations face additional challenges from corrosion due to humidity and salt mist. Green Match explains how efficient solar panels are in 2024.
Technological Degradations
Solar panels Cheltenham are battling not just the environment, but also intrinsic technological phenomena. Light-induced degradation (LID) and potential-induced degradation (PID) are two such issues, with LID causing an initial drop in efficiency and PID affecting energy production due to voltage reactions. Ensuring that your installation is handled by experts, such as gsmlimited.com/services/solar-panels/cheltenham, can help mitigate these effects.
Thermal Degradation
Excessive heat and improper installation can further reduce a panel’s efficiency. High temperatures hinder the electrical conversion process, a problem mitigated by selecting panels with a lower temperature coefficient.
The Importance of Maintenance
Regular checks and maintenance play a vital role in sustaining solar panel efficiency. Addressing the accumulation of dirt and potential damages, and ensuring that the system’s electrical components are in top condition can all contribute to a more efficient solar energy system.
While solar panels naturally lose efficiency over time, the rate of degradation can be minimised through careful selection of quality panels, professional installation, and regular maintenance.