| Although solar technology has been around for years, | | | | produces energy. During the summer, with longer days |
| it has only been recently adopted on a large consumer | | | | and more sunny hours, your system will be more |
| scale. If you are interested in buying solar panels, you | | | | efficient than during shorter winter days. |
| are probably asking yourself 'How do I know how | | | | 4. Equatorial Distance - the distance from the equator |
| much energy my panels will yield'? | | | | has significant impact on the amount of solar energy |
| There are several factors determining the amount of | | | | reaching your solar panel. The closer you are to the |
| electricity a solar panel unit will generate, some are | | | | equator, the more electricity your solar panels |
| fixed and some vary, depending on location and time. | | | | generate. |
| Fortunately, all factors are predictable, making buying | | | | 5. Installed Tilt Angle - your solar systems' tilt angle will |
| and using solar technologies a safe investment. | | | | have an effect on your solar panels' efficiency. The |
| 5 Factors Determining Your Solar Panels' Output: | | | | optimal angle varies from location to location, |
| | | | depending on the latitude. The optimal tilt angle also |
| 1. Panel's Maximal Output - what differentiates solar | | | | depends on your specific energy requirements - do |
| panels from one another is their maximum electrical | | | | you want to have higher efficiency during the summer |
| output, measured in Watts. This figure can range from | | | | or the winter? During noon time or in early morning |
| a couple of Watts for pocket-size panels, up to | | | | hours? |
| 240Watts for large panels. The most popular panels | | | | The great thing about solar energy technology is that |
| as of today have a 120Watts max output. The | | | | since it has been around for many years, we can |
| maximum electricity output of a panel is reached under | | | | easily predict how effective your solar panels will be. |
| specific conditions - at noon, when the sun is | | | | All the factors - both fixed and variable - can be |
| perpendicular to the earth's surface, under clear skies, | | | | calculated based on historical data, and provide an |
| with the solar panel tilted at an optimal angle, facing | | | | accurate picture of your solar systems' future energy |
| south-word. | | | | generation. This is very important in calculating the time |
| 2. Weather Conditions - one of the most significant | | | | to return your investment. |
| varying factor is weather conditions. Clouds,haze and | | | | When you contact your local solar panels dealer, make |
| fog, block some the suns' energy from reaching the | | | | sure he provides you with a clear forecast on your |
| surface of the panel. Clear days can easily bring your | | | | systems' effectiveness. Throw in the cost of grid |
| solar system to its maximum theoretical output. | | | | electricity, along with incentives provided by your local |
| 3. Time of Day - exactly at noon time, the solar | | | | authorities, and you should get the magic number - the |
| energy hitting earth is at its maximum. Even in the early | | | | duration of your ROI. |
| hours of the day or late in the afternoon, your system | | | | |