If you are seeking a high-quality solar panel installation, you must also be aware of its output and ways to determine whether your panel is performing optimally. Accurate, real-time energy tracking is crucial when measuring the output of solar panel systems. While traditional methods provide valuable data, times have changed. They cannot track inefficiencies and forecast long-term trends. Therefore, smart output measurement of solar systems has become a valuable tool for accurate data.
Beacon Energy, the top solar company in Pakistan, offers innovative monitoring solutions, like the BELCONNECT App, for a hassle-free way to measure solar output. However, you must know some key terms, concepts, and factors involved in solar panel output measurement. In this blog, we will uncover them all for you and tell you everything you need to know to measure your solar panel’s output. So, let’s begin! Key Metrics to Measure Solar Panel’s Output Whether you are a homeowner or run a large business, the best solar companies in Pakistan understand and prioritize your aim to maximize the return on your investment. Understanding some important metrics to measure your solar panel’s performance will boost its performance and ROI.
Here are some key factors to consider while measuring solar panel output:
Solar panels exist to translate sunlight into power by converting it into electricity. The power output of a solar panel is the rate at which the panel produces energy. It expresses itself in watts (W), kilowatts (kW), and kilowatt-hours (kWh).
However, to measure it, you must know about voltage and current. Voltage is the force that makes electrons flow to generate electric power. Whereas, current is the rate at which these electrons flow from point A to B.
The real measure of a solar panel’s output is its efficiency—the percentage of sunlight converted into usable energy. While solar panel efficiency has improved drastically in the last few years, the average efficiency is between 18% and 22%, with the rest lost as heat.
Ironically, higher temperatures can reduce a solar panel’s efficiency, which ultimately reduces the output. The temperature coefficient of a solar panel is a critical parameter to calculate energy loss and typically lies between -0.29 to -0.5°C. How do I Measure my Solar Panel’s Output? While calculations matter, measuring a solar panel’s output isn’t just about crunching numbers. It's also essential to understand the extent to which your system harnesses solar energy and converts it into power.
Here, we present some traditional and unconventional ways to determine your solar panel’s output.
Consider your solar inverter as the brain of your solar energy system. Most inverters are equipped with an LED display, demonstrating real-time data on power output, energy consumption, and the overall performance of your solar panels.
One of the most critical parameters that can significantly impact the energy output of your solar panel is temperature. The higher the temperature, the lower the output voltage of solar panels. Therefore, ambient temperature is a crucial factor in determining solar panel output.
Utility meters don’t just keep account of your power consumption; they also log how much energy you send back into the grid. Therefore, if your solar energy system is grid-tied, you must invest in a utility meter for seamless energy output measurement.
Gone are the days of manual check-ins and tracking solar panels yourself. Remote monitoring systems, offered by the best solar companies in Pakistan, like Beacon Energy, perfectly sync with your inverter, measuring your panels' energy output and detecting any fluctuations in the system’s performance.
Can I Use an App to Determine My Solar Panel’s Output?
Without a doubt, solar monitoring apps are the ultimate solution to optimize the performance of your solar panels by regularly measuring their output. Also, solar monitoring apps enable you to seamlessly compare the actual generated energy with the expected output of the panel.
Choose Beacon Energy
The BELCONNECT app by Beacon Energy, the biggest solar company in Pakistan, is creatively designed to equip you with the most effective tools to understand and measure your solar panel’s output on your mobile devices. With real-time data-driven insights, you can optimize your solar panel’s performance by choosing AI-powered apps by the best solar company in Lahore and beyond to maximize your ROI.
So, why wait any further? Download the app today and stay ahead in your solar game with Beacon Energy! For further information, contact us and install high-quality solar energy systems according to your needs.