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Insights
There is talk more than ever about sustainable choices, the green shift and the use of solar power and the requirements are increasingly stringent. But how much electricity do solar cells actually produce?
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The focus in the future is primarily on new commercial buildings and public buildings, older buildings that will be renovated will not escape either.
The sun shines brightly during the summer months and then solar cells seem like a good solution, but there is a concern among many about whether they will work effectively when we find ourselves in the dark winter months. So an important question is, how much electricity do solar cells produce? You may be surprised by the answer.
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In 2022, Norway installed approximately 150 MW of solar power plants on commercial and industrial roofs, while Sweden installed over 700 MW. Southern Norway has similar solar conditions to its Nordic neighbours and has a regulatory framework in place to increase the relatively low adoption of solar power generation.
It is important to note that solar cells produce electricity even in less sunny conditions. Modern photovoltaic technology has become increasingly advanced, so even in low light conditions, the solar cells can still convert solar energy into electricity.
It is true that the amount of solar energy produced will be lower in winter time, due to shorter daylight hours and lower solar intensity. However, that does not mean that solar cells will become completely inefficient. In many northern regions, sufficient solar power is still available even if the days are shorter.
How much electricity your solar system produces is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). If a solar panel produces 500W, it will account for 825kWh per year at max performance, under optimal conditions.
According to the NVE, the average measured energy use for office buildings is in excess of 211 kWh/m2/year, but ranges from 120 to more than 350. Reasons for variation are year of construction, type of construction, type of user, and operating personnel.
But how much electricity is produced in total will of course also depend on several factors. It is therefore not just to make a calculation based on the number of watts each panel produces.
So what affects the effect on the solar cells?
We have already mentioned an example of this, but the number of panels recommended will of course vary depending on the need and size of the commercial building. Thus, the size and roof structure will help determine the amount of electricity generation. But to put it simply, the more panels you mount, the more power you will get.
A typical solar cell has an efficiency of around 22 percent which means it can convert about 20 percent of the sunlight into actual electricity.
Compared to other energy sources, this may not be so much, but solar cells still have many advantages. Solar energy is a clean, renewable and accessible energy source. The solar cells can be installed in various locations, such as on the roofs of buildings or in large solar power plants. They have no moving parts and require minimal maintenance. Solar cells can also be combined with battery storage to make better use of solar energy.
Panels that are oriented to the south will often receive the most production throughout a full year cycle. Panels on flat roofs are laid on racks and angled up about 10 degrees. Thus, to a greater extent, they will be independent of being oriented directly to the south because the sun is high in the sky.In summer, they will hit the panels well anyway, due to the angle. It is worth noting that the exact optimal angle and direction depend on geographical location.
The higher latitude you are at, the more angle and inclination you should have on your panels to get the most production. In Norway, it is said that about 35 degrees of inclination of the panels is optimal for the highest possible annual production.
Here's good news for solar installations in the cold north, because what many people don't know is that solar cells prefer temperatures below 25°C.
In other words, the power and output of solar cells will increase with low temperatures. They have the highest output and most production at about -5 °C. One of the most efficient solar installations measured is at Svalbard Airport. The reflection from the snow combined with cold weather gives a very high effect.
If your solar panels are covered with snow, you probably won't be able to get any special production in your solar cells. However, if they are snow-free and there is snow on the ground, or around the panels, it can help increase production due to the reflection of light on the panels.
It's no secret that solar cells thrive best in sunlight and that's when they produce the most electricity. In any case, the technology and efficiency of solar cells have come so far today that they will produce electricity regardless of the weather, given that it is bright outside. That means that rainy weather is not a hindrance to electricity production. It is the energy in the light itself that the solar cells collect and convert into electricity.
Solar cells will, over time, have little power loss. The solar cells we supply have a guarantee that, on average, the solar cells should not lose more than about 1 percent annually for 25 years.
It is important to note that the power loss can vary between solar cell manufacturers and technologies. Some solar cells may have poorer efficiency conservation over time.
As we have seen, the answer is very various.It is not just taking a calculation to use it as a formula. There are many elements that come into play, both controllable and uncontrollable factors.But even if we live in the high north, it does not mean a bad production, since the light and reflections from, for example, snow, play a big role.
It is important to ensure good maintenance and regular checks so that you can get the most out of the panels you are mounting. It is therefore good that there are professionals who take care of both assembly and maintenance, so that you can concentrate on other important tasks.
If you are wondering how well your building is suitable for solar cells, try our calculator here and get the answer right away.
