Efficiency is the ability of a solar panel to convert the sun’s radiation into usable electricity. It’s also the most common criterion consumers use to assess the quality of their solar panels. Once you install solar panels, you can still increase their efficiency, so here are seven ways to improve your solar panels’ performance and obtain the best possible electricity output.

Clean Your Solar Panels

It’s best to clean your solar panels at least a few times a year, as solar panels with a buildup of dust or dirt on them will allow less sunlight to reach the photovoltaic cells. The overall efficiency of most solar panels will still be affected by water or dust accumulated inside the panels over time, but other products like the Vanpowers SP200 200W solar panels are dust- and water-resistant and will not be affected beyond needing the occasional cleaning.

Avoid Installing Solar Panels in Shaded Areas

Since solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, it makes sense that being in the shade reduces their electricity output. If you live in an area with lots of trees or tall buildings nearby, try setting up your solar panels on top of something so it gets more sunlight and gathers energy more quickly.

Place Solar Panels at the Correct Angle

It’s crucial to learn how to best position your solar panels, because the position of the panels determines how much energy they receive and eventually produce. Setting up the panels in such a way that they face the sun at a perpendicular angle will allow the most light to hit them. The Vanpowers SP200 solar panels have simple-to-use kickstands and a clear instruction manual to ensure that your power source is set up without a hassle. 

Check for Damaged Wires and Loose Connections

Frayed wires, damaged insulation, or loose connectors can cause a short circuit or malfunction in your portable solar panel system, so you should check every so often to make sure that all the wires in your panels are intact and that all connections are secure.

Monitor Your Power Station’s Life and Usage

If you don’t monitor the amount of energy your solar panels are generating, you won’t notice when their efficiency drops. You can monitor the output over time and detect any unexpected decreases by checking the readout on a portable power station and making notes yourself or by using a portable solar panel system monitor.

Know Your Power Needs

If you don’t know how much power you’ll need beforehand, you could end up in the wilderness with a device that’s too small to keep everything running. This can damage your solar panels and even your portable power station, so make sure you assess your needs and get the right equipment to match.

Buy More Efficient Solar Panels

It's important to purchase a solar panel that’s good quality, because the quality of your solar panels will affect the performance of your system. You can ensure that your solar panels are high-quality by checking their durability and the materials used in manufacturing them. For example, with its ETFE film allowing for up to 95% light transmittance, a Vanpowers SP200 solar panel can absorb 40,000 lx in intense sunlight while also being protected against ultraviolet radiation, prolonging the lifespan of the product. Also, because it’s equipped with SunPower monocrystalline silicon solar cells, its conversion efficiency reaches as high as 23%.

In Conclusion

Solar panel efficiency is an essential concept because it affects the amount of light that gets converted into electricity through your equipment. Construction, location, climate, and the rate at which sunlight hits a solar panel will all affect its efficiency. These seven tips should help you improve your solar panels’ efficiency and maintain optimal performance levels throughout the year.