All Energy Solar

Five Tips for Maximizing Your Solar Panel Performance

There are a few common themes among recent solar installers in regards to their new investment. When people add solar panels to their property, they’re often focused on:

  • Finding ways to maximize their production and minimize their consumption
  • Monitoring their consumption patterns
  • Reducing their carbon footprint
  • Maximizing their investment.

Whatever YOUR reason, here are five tips that you, as an owner of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, can do to maximize your solar energy production and reduce your consumption to get the most out of your system.

202207_5TipstoMaximizeSolar

TIP #1: Utilize powerstrips     

One of the simplest things you can do to lower your home or business’s energy consumption is to install smart power strips that allow you to turn off numerous devices at once when they’re not being used. Smart power strips can be used to establish one “control device,” e.g., a TV that, when turned off, actually cuts the power supply to other associated devices (often referred to as vampires) that suck unwanted energy even when in their “off mode”. Some power strips also offer a timer mode that allows you to set “off-hours” when power to devices that aren’t needed will be shut down completely.

TIP #2: Switch to LED bulbs and fixtures

LED lights and fixtures have come a long way in recent years and offer you a simple and easy way to reduce your home’s energy consumption significantly. As traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs burn out in your home or business, try replacing them with LED bulbs or fixtures that last longer and use up to 80% less energy, reducing your consumption and replacement costs over time.

TIP #3: Use a solar PV monitoring system

Using a solar monitoring system will allow you to track the performance of your system and in some cases the performance of each panel. Monitoring is a great way to ensure that your system works to its full potential and helps you identify any potential issues. You can learn more about solar monitoring systems by downloading our eBook Solar Energy Monitoring with All Energy Solar.

TIP #4: Keep your panels free of obstructions

The environment of your property will change over time, and sometimes, growth from nearby trees may obstruct the sun from reaching your panels. Using a solar monitoring system that allows you to monitor each panel’s performance should help identify when leaves or branches are hindering your system’s performance. This may require you to occasionally trim back tree branches to ensure the maximum sunlight reaches each of your panels daily.

TIP #5: Keep your panels clean

Solar panels require almost no maintenance to be efficient, but if you’re looking for a way to ensure they’re continually performing at their optimal level, you may choose to rinse your panels once or twice a year using a garden hose and a spray nozzle. A quick rinse can be done in most cases safely from the ground and can clear away dust and debris that may settle on your panels over time.

 

If you’re interested in enjoying the benefits of investing in environmentally friendly, clean, renewable solar energy, contact an All Energy Solar representative.ebook: Solar for Business

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