Are your current solar panels not performing well in California? California has always been leading the initiative in adopting solar energy, with thousands of homes and businesses already fitted with solar panels. However, recent reports and observations show that some of the solar panels installed are not actually operating optimally, which raises concerns among homeowners who have invested in the technology. This paper will discuss the causes of the underperformance of the solar panels in California, the impact on residential areas, and how best to address the challenge.
Factors Impacting Solar Panel Performance
Environmental Conditions
One of the foremost reasons that impacts the performance of a solar panel is the environment within which it is operating. California’s climate varies from coastal fog to desert heat and might have different effects on the efficiency of the solar panel.
Extreme Heat: High temperatures reduce the efficiency of solar panels. In places like California’s Central Valley or the deserts of Southern California, temperatures often exceed 100°F. In high temperatures, the panels lose efficiency and may produce less electricity compared to what they would produce in milder temperatures.
Wildfires and Smoke: California is experiencing wildfires that have become more powerful with each passing year. At times, wildfire smoke can block sunlight and blanket panels with ash that can greatly affect their ability to make electricity.
Dust and Pollution: In areas where high amounts of dust and pollution are maintained, solar panels tend to get dirty at a faster rate, which also affects their efficiency. It, therefore, calls for regular cleaning at regular intervals to have the performance of the optimum level, yet another extra cost to the homeowners in terms of maintenance.
The majority of these solar panels blooming up in California were installed years ago, when the technology was less advanced than now. These older panels most likely would be less efficient than the new models, and performance might degrade with time.
Degradation with time: The solar panels do degrade in some way. Part of their efficiency slowly leaks every year. In some cases and for panels older than 10 years, such destruction can be massive thus low total production in energy.
Old Inverters In the performance of systems, inverters are probably one of the most crucial parts. They convert the direct-current electricity generated by solar panels to alternating current that people can use inside their homes. Old inverters may not be as effective as the new models and can break over years, further reducing the effectiveness of the system.
Installation and Maintenance Issues
Installing the solar energy system is a very critical process to the long-term performance of the solar energy system. Poor installation practices can result in suboptimal performance and eventually even failure of a system.
Shading Problems: When panels are placed in areas where there is partial shading from a tree or a building or other obstructions, then they will produce less electricity. Even a tiny shadow can have a huge effect on the overall system output of the system. However, that is only the case when the panels do not have micro-inverters or power optimizers, which limit these effects.
Poor system design: This may result in poor performance of the solar power systems due to not considering the orientation and tilt of the panels or local solar exposure. Some systems may have been installed with wrong expectations over energy production, which then ends up disappointing the owners when the actual production turns out lower.
Impact on Homeowners
There are several adverse implications of the poor functioning of the solar panel on the house owner:
Reduced Bill Savings: Where a solar system is underperforming, electricity bill savings to a homeowner are lower. This prolongs the payoff time for the investment and shrinks the overall financial gain from going solar.
Frustration and Disillusionment: Homeowners who have invested in solar energy with the hope of huge savings can be very frustrated or feel duped by the underperformance of the system. It can lead to losing confidence in solar technology and not wanting to invest in future renewable energy projects.
Higher Maintenance Costs: To improve performance, periodic cleaning, maintenance, or even upgrading of the system may be required, all of which increase the cost associated with a solar energy system.
How Can Performance Be Improved?
Scheduled Maintenance and Monitoring of Systems
One of the best ways to ensure solar panels are working efficiently is by investing in periodic maintenance and monitoring.
Cleaning: In many parts of the country, including California, cleaning solar panels can help maintain their efficiency, especially in areas prone to dust, pollution, or ash from wildfires. Homeowners can either clean the panels themselves or hire professional cleaning services.
Monitoring Systems: Installing a monitoring system can enable one to track the performance of solar panels in real-time. This will make it possible to almost immediately notice a drop in performance and swiftly take appropriate measures to solve the cause of the issue.
Upgrading Equipment.
New Panels:
If your panels are over ten years old, you stand to gain by replacing them with newer, more effective ones. Advances made in technology have, therefore, made it possible for modern panels to give more electricity than they used to from the same sunlight.
Replace Your Inverter:
Another way of improving your overall system efficiency is by making a replacement of your inverter. Most people argue that modern inverters are more efficient and reliable compared to the previous models and may come with some monitoring.
Shading and Design Problems
If shading or poor system design affects your solar panel’s performance, talk to a solar professional about what changes you can make.
Tree Trimming:
If trees are shading your panels, trimming the trees back can provide for more exposure to sunlight and for gradually more generated energy.
Re-orientating your array:
In some cases, it turns out to be possible to reorient the panels for better direction or tilt, which can lead to more performance.
Conclusion
Solar panels are, of course, a powerful tool to reduce energy costs and promote environmental sustainability, but they are susceptible to many factors, particularly in a fairly challenging climate like that of California. Therefore, issues of underperformance in power generation by solar systems should not be major worries for homeowners. Proactive software upgrades, routine maintenance, and repair of design flaws can bring back the efficiency levels of the solar system for the continued benefits of clean and renewable energy.
Get a Quote In case you are interested in integrating an inverter with a solar charger into your power system, do not hesitate to contact us today for your custom quote.
FAQS
When Do I Know My Solar Panels Are Underperforming From The Expected Output?
The solar monitoring system or monitoring your energy bills against the expected savings helps establish this.
Are Old Solar Panels Worth the Upgrade?
If your solar panels are over 10 years old, an upgrade to newer and more efficient ones can make an enormous difference in performance, contributing to even greater energy savings.
Can extreme weather conditions in California damage my solar panels?
Although designed to last through all kinds of weather, from extreme sun and heat to wildfires, solar panels are also open to being affected and made less efficient. Regular maintenance and monitoring mitigate the effects.