Sep 27, 2022
You are currently viewing How To Optimize Your Solar Roof For Maximum Energy Output?

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Key Takeaways:

  • Solar optimization deals with the accuracy & precision of solar panel orientation to better harness the sun’s rays.
  • It also involves investing in quality solar energy storage products like batteries & inverters.
  • Before going solar, you need to evaluate your energy needs to decide the size of the solar project.
  • There are various hacks to arrange panels to utilize most of the sun’s rays each day efficiently.
  • Can-Am Roofing Of Central Florida, serving Rockledge, FL, delivers fine-tuned solar roofing solutions for your energy-saving, zero-carbon emission needs!

Solar roofs are not just some fad – they are the solution to the question of energy security. We’re in an age where issues like the ongoing energy crisis are genuine, and the rising energy costs are becoming a regular burden on citizens nationwide. Amidst this uncertainty comes the option of installing solar panels. With the privilege to install them backed by roof financers like Can-Am Roofing Of Central Florida, what can mar your plans?

But, wait, there’s more!

Installing solar panels is not all there is to going solar. You must thoroughly analyze what conditions of your residence necessitate a solar roof and whether the solar panels will be enough to generate the energy needed. That’s usually covered in a solar energy audit and roof reinforcement. But once you pass that and have the qualifiers for an effective solar system, you need to aim for optimization next!

What Is Solar Optimization?

In energy generation & consumption systems, optimization is the iterative process in which the system is made more efficient. Generally, efficiency is a ratio of energy inputs & the resulting outputs, and losses are always factored into the equation. So, when you attempt to make a system more efficient, you are testing & fine-tuning it to give out the most output for every input unit. It’s a nifty piece of engineering theory that also goes into the design of residential solar roofs & solar systems.

In essence, solar optimization is designing, installing & arranging solar systems to harness the maximum energy from the sun and generate maximum solar output. That involves installing your new roof by solar experts who know their photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Also, read: Preparing Your Roof For Solar Panels: What You Need To Know?

How Efficient Is a Solar Roof?

Energy generated is measured in watts and efficiency in the ratio (or percentage), so the industry average is 15-18% in solar energy rating for an excellent solar wattage. That might sound like a low number, but it is still enough to power your home & cut down energy bills significantly. Your choice of PV panels also matters a lot in solar efficiency. Monocrystalline PV cells are regarded as the best in the business as of 2022.

In 2020, a study on a six-junction solar cell broke world records, with the highest solar conversion efficiency recorded at 47.1%. That shows much promise in the coming years of next-gen solar panels.

Enough about efficiency now; let’s get to the juicier stuff.

How Efficient Is a Solar Roof?

Solar Panel Optimization Hacks for Your Solar Roof

The following are tried & tested hacks that seasoned roofers & solar homeowners have honed down to exact maximum efficiency from their solar systems. Suppose you have invested in a solar roof. In that case, you should get in touch with a trusted solar roofing contractor in the region to help you with some of the more complex orientational steps mentioned below.

Invest In High-Efficiency Panels

Three kinds of silicon panels are used in solar systems: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. Monocrystalline is the most efficient, durable, and heat-resistant panel on the market yet. At the same time, polycrystalline is an affordable variant with slightly reduced efficiency & can’t weather high-temperature environments. Thin film panels are flexible, do not require a frame backing, and can be ordered in different sizes.

If you want our advice, regardless of the kind of panel you can afford, remember that orientation & maintenance is key to panel efficiency too. Your ultimate goal is to cut energy bills, but you can do it with the right panel.

Ensure Regular Solar Panel Maintenance

Photovoltaic cells need unobstructed exposure to sunlight to generate energy. Even a fine layer of dust can bring that down to levels lower than the light on an overcast day. The cleaner you keep the panel’s surface, the more electricity it will be able to generate. Avoid harsh chemicals or mineral-rich water for cleaning. Otherwise, the resulting solar shading can reduce solar capacity by 25%.

Regulate Panel Temperature

Semiconductors tend to decrease performance when subjected to high temperatures, and solar panels are made of a bunch of them. They can’t be helpful unless they are in the sun, so it’s about proper panel-to-roof clearance of at least 7-inches to allow for thorough ventilation between the mounts. If necessary, you can invest in solar cooling equipment from the market.

Panel Orientation

PV panels generate the maximum energy when they perpendicularly face the sun’s rays, but that isn’t easy because the sun shifts during the day. So, the panels should be oriented concerning the sunlight. The azimuth and zenith are two ways to orient the panels to the sun for optimal sunlight. The first is a measure between the true south and the sun’s position in the northern hemisphere and vice versa. The zenith is the sun’s angle of elevation from the ground up. The panel tilt is calculated after these two are determined; usually, it’s an angle between 15-62 degrees.

Rely On Better Solar Batteries

Panels only convert the sunlight to electricity but don’t store it for later use. For optimal solar output, you need quality batteries & inverters to prevent losses in energy storage. Opt for a solar battery that offers high capacity & is better value for your money.

Ready To Go Solar with Our Optimizing Hacks in Rockledge, FL?

Remember, even solar panels need a little TLC occasionally if you want them to keep running like new. Hacks mentioned earlier in this article are all easy ways to give your solar panels the attention they need to provide optimal results for years to come.

Can-Am Roofing of Central Florida, serving Rockledge, FL, are not just expert roofers; we also deal in quality solar panels & system installations. And what we want for you is the best in optimized solar offerings so you can save on energy costs & become an example for the greener world of the future!

Get in touch with us for more details, and secure a free quote on our services today!