Solar Panel Efficiency Formula

Electrical power in kwp of one solar panel divided by the area of one panel.

Solar panel efficiency formula.

Polycrystalline solar panels generally have lower efficiencies than monocrystalline options but their advantage is a lower price point. In addition polycrystalline solar panels tend to have a blue hue instead of the black hue of monocrystalline panels. Solar cell efficiency refers to the portion of energy in the form of sunlight that can be converted via photovoltaics into electricity by the solar cell. The efficiency of the solar cells used in a photovoltaic system in combination with latitude and climate determines the annual energy output of the system for example a solar panel with 20 efficiency and an area of 1 m 2 will produce 200.

Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon. To determine the operating efficiency as opposed to the ideal efficiency of your solar panels subtract the temperature of your solar panel from the stc temperature of 25 c then multiply that figure by the temperature coefficient of pmax. Solar panel watts x average hours of sunlight x 75 daily watt hours as an example let s say you have 250 watt solar panels and live in a place where you get 5 hours of sunlight per day. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range.

The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency. Here s a simple formula for calculating your solar panel s power output. If a solar panel has 20 percent efficiency that means it s capable of converting 20 percent of the sunshine hitting it into electricity. What you need to know.

Fill factor p max voc ioc or solar cell fill factor solar cell efficiency a c e voc ioc where voc open circuit voltage ioc short circuit current. For example the temperature coefficient of a panasonic hit 330w n type 96 solar panel is 258 per 1 degree celsius. This calculation will yield a negative percentage which you can then subtract from your initial efficiency rating. Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration of time on two solar panels with different efficiency ratings the more efficient panel will produce more electricity than the less efficient panel.

Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of a solar panel s ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity.