Adding solar panels to your home can improve its energy efficiency. Those new installations can also reduce the harmful environmental impact of your household.
Investing in those additions is a terrific idea, but there is something you should figure out before you proceed with solar panel installation. That something is your solar panel’s rating.
The solar panel’s rating is a crucial consideration. It could be the make-or-break reason why you purchase a specific type of panel. Let’s talk more about what that rating means throughout the rest of this article.
What Is a Solar Panel Rating?
The solar panel rating is an essential metric because it tells you how much power that particular unit can generate. If you want to gauge the solar panel output accurately, you need to first identify its rating.
Typically, the solar panel rating is pretty easy to spot. It’s measured in watts, so you can look for that in the panel’s spec sheet.
Ideally, you want a high solar panel rating. If a solar panel has a high rating, it can generate plenty of power. Homeowners intending to rely on solar power full-time should seek out the highest-rated solar panels available.
Are Solar Panel Ratings Always Accurate?
Let’s say that you’ve spotted the rating for the solar panel you were inspecting and what you’re seeing is 300 watts. Is that all the information you need? Can you start building out your grid using that information alone?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
You see, solar panel ratings are produced under ideal conditions. The environment is carefully controlled so the examiners can check out the full potential of the solar panel.
Essentially, the rating tells you the maximum solar panel output. It doesn’t always accurately reflect what you’re going to get.
What Factors Affect the Accuracy of Solar Panel Ratings?
Other factors can affect the accuracy of a solar panel rating. Those factors include the amount of sunlight they get, how they are positioned, and the pieces of equipment used to support the solar panels.
It’s important to be mindful of those factors, so you can maximize the potential of your solar panels. That’s also a good reason why you should consider working with installers.
Professional solar panel installers can tell you how those items should be positioned so they get maximum sunlight. The installers can also set the necessary pieces of equipment in place to optimize the performance of your new setup.
How To Assess the Performance of a Solar Panel
Since the solar panel rating doesn’t always tell the whole story, you can use other metrics to gauge the item’s performance instead. Look specifically for performance metrics like the Nominal Operating Cell Temperature and the Temperature Coefficient of Pmax to get a more detailed read of the panel’s capabilities.
You can also inquire about a specific panel’s real-world capabilities by speaking to a professional installer.
Understanding the potential your solar panels possess is easier if you know what to look for. Once you’ve determined the true capabilities of the panels you’re inspecting, you’ll be able to identify the types that belong in your home.