One of the most accessible forms of renewable energy, solar panels are great to reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint. More and more residences and businesses are getting solar panels installed to help offset costs. With more than 200 days of sunshine per year in Sacramento, San Jose, and the Greater Bay Area, West Coast Solar wants to help you maximize your solar efficiency.
Keep It Clean
Since solar panels don’t have any moving parts and sit on top of your roof, they will collect dust and dirt. An accumulation of dust and dirt over the course of a year can lead to as much as a 5% decline in performance. If you happen to live in an area with very little rainfall, the decline in performance can be as much as 20%. Regular maintenance is a good idea to maintain the home’s solar panels’ efficiency output.
Install a Solar Battery
Solar panels don’t accumulate energy at night, and you then may be connected to the regular grid. One way to increase your efficiency is to have a solar battery installed. It allows you to store the energy for later use for greater autonomy. Plus, a solar battery decreases your carbon footprint even more, reducing your reliance on the grid.
Limit Device Use
Limiting the number of devices in use at once can maximize the effectiveness of the homes’ solar system. While the total consumption of energy will always depend on the number of devices in use, it is advisable to limit the number of appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and vacuum cleaners at once. Turning off the lights when the sun is out takes advantage of natural lighting.
Hire an Expert for Installation
It may seem simple enough to install your home’s solar panels, however, if they are not installed correctly, they won’t generate enough electricity and operate at maximum capacity. Solar panels need to be installed at an angle between 18 and 36 degrees for optimal sunlight exposure. And depending on which hemisphere you reside in, that will also affect the orientation of the panels as well. There should be a sufficient amount of room between your solar panels and the roof. This will allow for air circulation and will prevent your solar panels from overheating. West Coast Solar offers free consultations on installations, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
At West Coast Solar, we know you want to maximize the efficiency of your solar panels for the best impact on the environment and your wallet. Following these tips will help improve your solar panels’ effectiveness. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.
