| Getting Optimum Performance From Your Solar Panels To Produce More Electricity _ How To Do It |
| Written by Chris Paige | |
| Monday, 25 October 2010 | |
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Solar panels without a doubt produce electricity. But how much they produce depends on several key factors.
Solar panels without a doubt produce electricity. But how much they produce depends on several key factors. First and maybe fairly obvious is to consider how much sun your area gets. Now if you live in the desert or in the mountains, you are in luck. But for people living in other areas, an important consideration to be aware of is how bright the sunlight is. Brighter is better. For solar panels to harvest enough sunlight to produce more than a little electricity, what's required is full, bright, shadow-free sunlight. Without it, your panels will not generate as much power. So if your area tends to be cloudy, be aware that not as much power will be harvested at certain times. The major problem facing homeowners with solar panels is shadow. That is just what it sounds like. When your panel or even part of your panel is shaded, the voltage output becomes lower. And even a small bit of shade can affect output quite dramatically. There will be times of the day when shadows are inevitable, like early or late in the day. When the sun is at an extreme angle, little power is being generated anyway so this is not a concern. But it's important to avoid shade during the prime hours usually between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This is when the sun is overhead. Panels should be installed on mounts that are angled toward the sun. By doing that you can ensure that you are getting the most production from the modules. If possible make an adjustment to the angle of your mounting rack on a seasonal basis. That's because the sun's position is different in summer than it is in winter. Finally, it's important to properly maintain your solar panels. The good news is that because there are no moving parts there is really very little maintenance required. Basically, you just have to keep them clean. Rain can take care of this maintenance for you as long as it falls on a regular basis and lasts for a few hours at a time. Otherwise, you can use a hose to easily clean the panels. Never use a hose during the hottest time of the day to avoid problems. The best time to clean the panels is in the morning or during the evening. The Article Author: Did you know that you can make power at home with solar energy and wind energy and eliminate your power bill? Get the complete step-by-step guide including videos at http://www.goinggreensavinggreen.com. |
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