Solar panels are designed and engineered to be as efficient as possible. As of 2023,solar panels have yet to cross the 35 per cent threshold of efficiency, but that is enough, considering how much sunshine do we get in excess. Especially in Pakistan, where solar energy systems are fast becoming the best way to increase energy independence, sunlight is ample and a solar panel grid is enough to cater to the energy needs of a singular household. However, sometimes, solar panels, despite their advertised efficiency, may not perform as well as supposed to. This underperformance can be attributed to a number of reasons, and in this blog, we’ll look at some of the common reasons for solar panels underperforming and what can be done to that effect.
We will also discuss the best solar company in Islamabad, Beacon Energy, and how the best solar energy solutions from Beacon Energy can help you gain energy independence like never before.
Let’s look at the most common reasons for solar panels underperforming.
Solar Panels underperforming: The most common reasons
While a slight drop in solar panel performance is considered normal, due to temperature drops, weather changes, and clouding, seeing a considerable drop in performance can be troublesome and might merit a deeper look. These are some of the common causes of solar panel underperforming.
i. Soiling
Solar panel maintenance is minimal, however, the occasional wipe down is important. This is because it cleans the surface of the solar panel, which can gather a lot of dust and small pollutants, which can affect the efficiency of the panel. Soiling is what happens when solar panels are neglected for too long; tiny particles accumulate on the surface of the solar panel and block the sunlight from reaching the PV cells, thereby drastically affecting the efficiency of the panel. The workaround is simple: every month or so, give your solar panels a good wipe down and all will be golden.
ii. Shading
Shading is simply the shadow of any object falling on the solar panels. Now, during installation extra care is taken to ensure that solar panels are away from shade or any potentially shaded areas. However, trees grow and extra construction around the installation might make it so that during certain times of the day, at certain angles, the panels might be completely shaded, devoid of any sunlight. When this happens, you will notice a sudden drop in energy generation. However, the workaround depends on what type of shading you might have on your solar panels. Trim the trees around it, or for situations where shading might be unavoidable, consider a parallel solar panel connection or tracking systems that track the sun throughout the day and move the solar panel accordingly.
iii. Hotspots
A hotspot in solar panels occurs when one PV cell starts to consume the energy generated from other cells rather than generating it, causing it to overheat. These cells might stop generation due to shading, soiling or damage to the solar panels which may affect the performance of the solar panel. While initially the cell might perform, it will eventually get to the point where it becomes a hotspot and starts consuming energy, bringing down the overall output of the solar panel. Usually, in the case of solar panel hotspots, what companies do is replace them, especially if the problem is widespread. However, by investing in quality solar panels and subjecting them to regular maintenance, you reduce the likelihood of there being hotspots on the solar panel.
iv. Manufacturing/transportation defects
One of the most common reasons why solar panels might not perform as advertised or have a significantly lowered generation is due to manufacturing defects that are common, especially with panels within a lower price range. These do not have much in terms of quality and are usually made of materials that are not very durable, and thus, can crack or lose their efficiency shortly after operation. Transportation defects are similar; during transit, panels can get damaged by a strike to the surface, causing them to lose efficiency since the cell has been damaged, which might not be visible or noticeable to the untrained eye. In these cases, your solar energy company will replace your panels, and you won’t have to worry about solar panels underperforming.
The best solar company in Pakistan: Beacon Energy
Beacon Energy is the fastest growing solar company in Pakistan, and with an extensive presence all across Pakistan, is poised to revolutionise the solar skyline of the country. From its cutting edge solar energy solutions designed to deliver the best of solar to your households to INTRIX, the flagship hybrid system and Pakistan’s smartest inverter system, Beacon Energy is here to give you the energy reliability you need. Check us out at Beacon Energy for more about clean, renewable energy for all.
