Solar Panels Efficiency - 5 Factors Influencing Your Solar Energy Output

Although solar technology has been around for years, it has only been recently adopted on a large consumer scale. If you are interested in buying solar panels, you are probably asking yourself 'How do I know how much energy my panels will yield'?
There are several factors determining the amount of electricity a solar panel unit will generate, some are fixed and some vary, depending on location and time. Fortunately, all factors are predictable, making buying and using solar technologies a safe investment.
5 Factors Determining Your Solar Panels' Output:

1. Panel's Maximal Output - what differentiates solar panels from one another is their maximum electrical output, measured in Watts. This figure can range from a couple of Watts for pocket-size panels, up to 240Watts for large panels. The most popular panels as of today have a 120Watts max output. The maximum electricity output of a panel is reached under specific conditions - at noon, when the sun is perpendicular to the earth's surface, under clear skies, with the solar panel tilted at an optimal angle, facing south-word.
2. Weather Conditions - one of the most significant varying factor is weather conditions. Clouds,haze and fog, block some the suns' energy from reaching the surface of the panel. Clear days can easily bring your solar system to its maximum theoretical output.
3. Time of Day - exactly at noon time, the solar energy hitting earth is at its maximum. Even in the early hours of the day or late in the afternoon, your system produces energy. During the summer, with longer days and more sunny hours, your system will be more efficient than during shorter winter days.
4. Equatorial Distance - the distance from the equator has significant impact on the amount of solar energy reaching your solar panel. The closer you are to the equator, the more electricity your solar panels generate.
5. Installed Tilt Angle - your solar systems' tilt angle will have an effect on your solar panels' efficiency. The optimal angle varies from location to location, depending on the latitude. The optimal tilt angle also depends on your specific energy requirements - do you want to have higher efficiency during the summer or the winter? During noon time or in early morning hours?

The great thing about solar energy technology is that since it has been around for many years, we can easily predict how effective your solar panels will be. All the factors - both fixed and variable - can be calculated based on historical data, and provide an accurate picture of your solar systems' future energy generation. This is very important in calculating the time to return your investment.
When you contact your local solar panels dealer, make sure he provides you with a clear forecast on your systems' effectiveness. Throw in the cost of grid electricity, along with incentives provided by your local authorities, and you should get the magic number - the duration of your ROI.

Joseph H. Ben is a solar industry professional and the founder of SolarplaneZ.com, a location based solar panel systems search engine, available at: http://www.solarplanez.com/ Search the SolarplaneZ index of web pages for P.V. solar panel systems installed near you or anywhere in the world. Get valuable insight into active solar panel systems, with information such as live output statistics, images and articles. Visit SolarplaneZ: http://www.solarplanez.com/