9 Ways to Improve Solar Panel Efficiency and Output

Maximizing the performance of solar panels is key to getting the most out of your solar investment. If you’re wondering how to increase solar panel efficiency, we’ve included 9 tips in this guide to help you improve output. 

From regular cleaning to proper orienting, installing storage systems, and working with a reputable provider, each of these tips can increase performance to reduce your carbon footprint and help you save more on energy. 

1. Clean your solar panels regularly

Solar panels are designed to withstand various weather conditions, but dust, dirt, or debris can accumulate over time and reduce their efficiency. Research shows that dust and air pollution can reduce solar panel efficiency by up to 25% - meaning less power for your home and potentially fewer savings on energy bills. Keeping your solar panels clean ensures they soak up as much sunlight as possible to achieve maximum efficiency. 

How often you clean your solar panels depends on your location and environment. Generally, we recommend cleaning your solar panels at least once per year. If you live in a dusty area, or you don't get much rainfall, you may want to clean your panels more often. 

You have two options when it comes to cleaning your solar panels: hire a professional solar panel maintenance company or clean them yourself. If it feels risky to access your solar panels - like if you have a high, sloping roof for example - then it’s best to call in professional solar panel cleaners and avoid putting yourself in a dangerous position. 

If you feel safe accessing your solar panels, then you can try to clean them yourself. Here’s how to clean your solar panels: 

• Switch off the solar system: If it feels safe for you to access and clean your solar panels, turn off the solar panel system before you begin. 

• Choose the right time of day: The best time to clean your solar panels is early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense. Cleaning under direct sunlight can cause water to evaporate quickly and leave behind streaks that reduce efficiency. 

• Be gentle when cleaning: Start by rinsing the panels with warm water to remove loose debris. If there’s any stuck-on grime you can't remove, add a drop of mild dish soap and use a soft sponge to gently rub the panels.

• Avoid abrasive materials: To prevent damage to your solar panels, avoid using abrasive sponges or pressure washers. These can scratch the surface and leak water into the module. 

• Rinse again: After cleaning the panels, rinse them again with clean water to remove any soap residue. Make sure no soap or cleaning agents are left behind, as these can leave behind streaks. 

• Dry naturally: Let the panels air dry or use a soft lint-free cloth to wipe them dry. 

2. Avoid shaded areas

It may not seem like a big deal to have a little shade on your panels, but it can dramatically reduce output. Solar panels need unobstructed, direct sunlight to generate electricity efficiently. Depending on the type of system you install, if one solar cell is shaded, it weakens the entire chain and can significantly reduce the entire array electrical output. Because of that, it's essential to avoid installing solar panels in areas that get shade - even if it's just for part of the day. 

The biggest culprits of shaded solar panels are trees, buildings, aerials, and chimneys. To keep your solar system operating efficiently, keep an eye on your panels throughout the day and make sure they aren't getting shade at any point. Tree branches can seemingly grow out of nowhere and start casting shadows that weren't there when you first installed your panels. 

To prevent that from happening, trim surrounding trees regularly to maximize sunlight exposure and ensure your panels receive unobstructed sunlight all day. Make it a habit to keep an eye on growth so you can stay ahead of the game and keep shade off your solar panels at all times of year. If the offending trees aren't on your land, you might want to speak to the landowner and work out a solution. 

3. Orient your solar panels for maximum exposure

Another way to get the most out of your solar power systems is to orient them properly. Solar panels are most efficient when they're facing directly towards the sun so they can soak up as much sunlight throughout the day as possible. In the northern hemisphere, this means orienting your solar panels towards the south. In the southern hemisphere, you want them to face north. 

In the United States, the gold standard when it comes to orienting your solar panels for maximum sunlight exposure is to point them towards geographic south. This ensures your panels have the highest production.

If you can’t orient your solar panels in the ideal direction for your area, the best thing to do is face them west (where the sun sets). West install is often beneficial as it provides production later in the day during which a lot of utility plans charge higher rates (peak rates); thus offsetting higher valued usage. If that’s not an option either, then you can orient them east. 

4. Use monitoring tools to track performance

One way to improve solar efficiency is to keep an eye on performance so you can quickly detect and address any issues or unexpected decreases in output. Most modern solar inverters include remote monitoring options, and other monitoring tools are available to help you track your solar power performance. 

Some features of monitoring tools include:

• Real-time performance monitoring: With real-time data, you can track how much electricity your panels are generating at any given moment and make sure they're operating at peak efficiency. 
• Identify potential issues: Monitoring tools can alert you to potential issues or anomalies in your solar panel system, like a decrease in energy production. Detecting these issues early lets you take proactive measures to address them before they escalate. 
• Optimize energy utilization: Analyzing data from monitoring tools lets you identify trends and patterns in energy production so you can optimize performance over time. By knowing when your panels produce the most electricity and adjusting your usage patterns accordingly, you can maximize energy consumption during peak solar hours and minimize your reliance on the grid. 

At Sun Valley Solar, we offer an optional active monitoring service for a small annual fee. When you opt-in to this service, our team will supervise your solar operation to ensure peak efficiency. We also provide detailed performance data, including real-time power generation, historical energy production, and system health status, which you can access via smartphone app or web portal. 

5. Insulate your home to prevent air leaks

It takes a huge amount of energy to cool and heat your home. Installing solar panels can help cut down on electricity bills by reducing your reliance on the grid, but if your home isn’t adequately insulated then your solar system will have to work harder, potentially reducing efficiency and output.  

One way to prevent this from happening is to upgrade your insulation so your HVAC works more efficiently and reduces the load on your solar panels. Proper insulation can help prevent air leaks in the attic, basement, crawl spaces, electrical outlets, and around windows and doors. With less solar energy going towards your HVAC, more can be diverted to other household uses.

6. Install solar batteries to store energy

Investing in solar batteries is essential if you want to get the most out of your solar panels. These allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day instead of exporting it back to the grid. You can then use this stored solar energy even when solar power is limited, like evenings or cloudy days. This significantly reduces your reliance on the grid, increases cost savings, and expands the effectiveness of your solar panels.

7. Use different appliances at different times

To get the most out of your solar system, try to reduce the number of appliances used at the same time. For example, don’t run your dishwasher at the same time as your washing machine. 

There are two reasons why you don’t want to make a habit out of using full power: 

1. Using full power can put a drain on your batteries and deplete energy faster. Using less power at a time allows you to use your stored energy for longer.
2. It’s is often more cost-effective to use less power for an extended period of time than to use full power for shorter periods on many of the utility plans available for home with a solar system. This is typically referred to as demand plans where a big component is based on how much energy you use during the highest period of the month as opposed simply the total amount of energy used for the entire month.

Using multiple appliances at the same time also increases your chances of dipping into the electricity grid to keep things running. So, one way to maximize performance from your solar panels is to be strategic with your energy usage and habits. Try to stagger your appliance use so you’re using one in the morning and one in the evening rather than running major appliances at the same time. 

8. Keep your inverter cool

The inverter in a solar panel system is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power household appliances. Converting all this electricity causes the inventor to constantly be working hard, leading to overheating in some cases. When an inverter is overheated, its efficiency will be reduced. 

To get the most out of your inverter and improve the efficiency of your solar system, choose area on your home with more shade to install your inverter. You also want to have the inverter installed as close as possible to your meter to reduce voltage drops and increase efficiency. 

9. Use a reputable provider to install your solar panels correctly

The best way to ensure your solar panel system operates at peak efficiency is to work with a reputable solar provider from the get-go. A professional installer will properly survey your site to ensure your solar panels are installed in the best location, at the right orientation and angle to receive maximum exposure from the sun. 

To save yourself the trouble of trying to optimize solar panel efficiency after installation, choose a reputable provider from the beginning. Look for a solar company with a strong track record and comprehensive post-installation support. A good solar partner can provide valuable assistance throughout your solar system’s lifespan so you never have to deal with issues or concerns yourself. 

Summary: 9 ways to improve solar panel efficiency and output

When properly installed and maintained, modern solar panels are designed to operate for decades. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. At Sun Valley Solar, our team is often called out to inspect and repair underperforming systems installed by unqualified solar companies. If you need help with your solar energy system, or want some guidance on how to get the most out of your solar power, we’re here to help. 

As Arizona's most trusted solar company, we've been ranked #1 Solar Contractor by Ranking Arizona and won the Angie's List Super Service Award five years running. When you choose Sun Valley Solar, you can rest assured you've chosen solar's most qualified for every step of your solar journey, from installation to repair, maintenance, and beyond. Feel free to contact our team to discuss your needs and we’ll be happy to help.