How Much Energy Can Solar Panels Produce?
With more numbers of solar panels popping up on rooftops across the island - have you ever wondered the amount of electrical energy that is generated? Learn more.
Solar panels for home use are one of the most noteworthy innovations of our time. Made out of photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight, solar panels convert that absorbed light (photons) into energy and send it to your home's electric panel to create power. This clean energy source can save you money while protecting the planet and its resources. It might seem complicated but it's actually very simple. If you're interested in understanding the finer details we've created this helpful guide on how solar panels in Singapore work.
However, one important thing to note is that solar panels don't work in isolation. It's a common misconception that solar panels won't produce enough energy to power your home but that's not true. It just comes down to wattage and size/amount. The more efficient or high wattage your solar system is the fewer panels you will need. However, you'll still need more than one to generate the appropriate energy levels to power your home – which is what we mean when we say solar panels for your home won't work on their own.
Other common myths include the incorrect assumption that Singapore solar energy can be both unreliable and expensive. However these ideas are leftover from when solar panels for home use were first introduced and don't take into account the massive strides in solar power efficiency the industry has produced in the past few years. If you're interested in solar installation for your home, the best thing to do is to get your facts straight. Understanding the mechanics and how much energy solar panels can produce will provide you with all the information you need to know before you make the switch to cleaner sources of energy.
Common misconceptions around solar energy
Solar energy won't produce enough energy to power your home
The first thing anyone considering solar installation in Singapore needs to understand is that high wattage solar panels translate to efficient solar panels. Why is this important? It's simple. The higher wattage your solar panel is the more electricity it can produce for your home. Whereas lower wattage solar panels will still produce energy, but not as much in the same amount of time and under the same conditions as high efficiency solar panels would. So it's not that solar panels can't produce the energy your home needs, it's just that you need to ensure you select the right solar energy system for you. Fortunately Singapore's solar energy industry is booming, so you should easily be able to find a good solar installation provider.
Solar panels are unreliable for home use
The idea that solar panels are inconsistent seems to have stemmed from the idea that solar panels won't work when it's cloudy or that they drastically underform in high temperatures. But while it's true that your solar panel's efficiency can be slightly reduced in high heat they'll never stop working. The same goes for stormy days. While it may seem like they do, clouds don't completely block the sunlight so solar panels will still function during bad weather.
Solar panels are too expensive for home usage
When solar panels for home use first became available they may have been inhibitively expensive for some people but over the last decade those prices have seen a marked decrease. As solar panels have become more popular and more widely developed in the past decade or so, their average costs have fallen by almost 30 per cent. Also, while the initial solar installation cost may seem pricey, the savings on your electricity bill overtime will end up paying for that cost and more.
Unfortunately, there is still a tendency for people to remember the early misconceptions about a product even if they have long been debunked. But the reality is solar energy production has improved a lot over the years and continues to make great leaps. Singapore is one of the countries leading the charge, with a huge increase in production and installation since the government set clear goals for the country's future in clean energy. This improved use of solar panels in Singapore makes installing solar panels in your home an even more reliable a solution.
Size, electrical output and installation of solar panels
Wattage is one of the key aspects in the efficiency of your solar array or system. However, another important feature that goes hand-in-hand with wattage is the size of your solar panels. It might sound obvious, but the bigger your solar panel system the more light they can absorb and then transform into electricity for your home.
To understand how many solar panels you'll need for your solar installation in Singapore, you'll first need to evaluate your usable surface area and the peak sunlight/climate spot available, as well as how much energy your home is using and how much of that you're wanting to supplement with solar power.
It's also necessary to consider that solar panels don't work at maximum capacity all of the time. Plenty of factors can impact your solar system and its efficiency. The ones we mentioned before include cloudy weather and humid temperatures, however you'll also want to pay attention to the position and angle they are placed on your chosen surface area. This is because the optimal tilt and orientation of your panels varies greatly depending on where you live. And last but not least, never dismiss the importance of a good clean. Dirt on the surface area of your home solar panels can also affect their performance.
Making the switch to solar panels for your home in Singapore?
Many people around the world are considering making the switch to solar panels or already have because it's a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy supply. If you're sure about changing to solar energy in Singapore, there are many factors to consider first.
Our primary tips for making the switch would be to think about the amount of power output you'll need and the number of solar panels. You should be able to check your electricity bill to get a basic understanding of the amount of energy you're using, as well as the wattage. Armed with this information, the next best step is to consult the professionals. SolarPVExchange is one of Singapore's leading solar companies and has plenty of experience managing solar installations for residential use. Click here to enquire with us today.