Solar Panel Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency measures how well a PV panel generates electricity from the sunlight it receives. The efficiency rating means that, during standard testing, a solar panel creates a certain percentage of its power from the amount of sunlight it receives. One-fifth of the sunlight hitting a panel with 20% efficiency will be converted into electricity. This is very important, as more efficient panels are able to create more kWh per square foot. Having a smaller area to work with becomes easier, thanks to this technology, because you don’t need as many panels to reach the same energy level. Although higher efficiency panels tend to cost more, they produce more energy, so it usually takes less time to recoup the costs or save more money on your electricity bill, especially in regions where electricity is pricey or sunshine is limited. Thanks to constant advances in technology, solar panels keep getting more efficient, with monocrystalline usually being the best. It is important for consumers and system designers to know solar panel efficiency to make the system work better and meet their goals.