A solar system is composed of a string of photovoltaic (PV) panels that generate power from sunlight. It’s crucial to understand that PV panels produce power from light, not heat. When considering which PV panels to choose, several factors come into play to ensure efficiency and longevity.
What Type of PV Panels Should I Choose?
Size and Efficiency
Solar panels are continually improving in size, cost, and efficiency. However, choosing the right panel involves more than just looking at the price tag. Recently, the Spanish market has seen an influx of very cheap solar panels, but these come with potential issues.
- Wind Load: Larger panels have a higher wind load, which can be problematic if the mounting structures are not robust enough. Secure and strong panel structures are essential to prevent panels from becoming hazardous in strong winds.
- Quality of Materials: Some cheap PV panel manufacturers reduce costs by compromising on the quality of aluminum frames and solar cells. While these may appear cost-effective initially, they can lead to reliability issues over time. Your solar panels should be durable and capable of providing power for many years.
Half Cell Technology
Modern solar panels often use half-cell technology, which offers increased efficiency. These panels are almost half the size of traditional panels while providing the same, if not better, power output. This technology not only maximizes space but also improves performance and durability.
Bifacial Panels
It is advisable to opt for transparent glass panels, also known as bifacial panels, rather than those with a white rear cover. Bifacial panels can capture sunlight from both sides, increasing overall energy generation. Additionally, bifacial panels are more durable and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional panels. Another advantage of bifacial technology is heat reduction. Our intense summer heat can reduce panel efficiency by up to 25%. Freestanding bifacial solar panels, mounted on triangular structures, shed more heat, making them much better suited to handle summer heatwaves.
Installation Considerations
For optimal performance, PV panels should be securely mounted on a sturdy steel structure in a South oriented location that receives ample sunlight and is close to your battery system. If you have a flat, shaded-free roof terrace, that would be an ideal spot. If not, we can help find a suitable location for your panels.
Custom Made Solar Structures
Our panel structures are custom made for each job, and here’s why:
You can find many fancy aluminum modules on the market, but we don’t particularly like them. They are flimsy, and the new time-saving clamping brackets for the solar panels can be a recipe for disaster. If one single solar panel blows loose, the entire adjacent section of panels can fly off like a deck of cards.
Backed by 20 years of experience, we prefer working with solid steel structures anchored to lines of concrete-filled H-blocks on level terrain, or fitted to a south-facing wall below your pool area or any other agreed-upon location.
Our solid, custom made and therfore adaptable, provide a much more reliable solution. This approach matches the life expectancy of your PV array, ensuring long-term stability and performance.
Solar Batteries
Your battery storage should be lithium LiFePo type, not lead acid. The reasons are plenty.
- Maintenance: Lithium batteries do not require any maintenance or topping up, unlike lead acid batteries.
- Heat Tolerance: Lead acid batteries suffer in the heat and they are bulky, emitting corrosive gases during charging. Lithium batteries do not produce gases, endure heat much better, and are more compact.
- Charging Efficiency: Lead acid batteries take a long time to charge fully, reducing panel power during peak hours. Lithium batteries charge quickly with minimal panel power loss.
- Longevity: Qualilty Lithium batteries have a minimum of 8000 charge cycles, equating to about 21 years of daily usage. Lead acid batteries last only 12-15 years at best.
- Capacity: Lead acid batteries deteriorate when discharged below 50% capacity. Lithium batteries can safely discharge down to 10%, though we program systems to avoid this, ensuring a 15-year warranty on the batteries.
- Adaptability: Lithium batteries can easily adapt to increased power demands over time, unlike lead acid batteries, which deteriorate quickly when new batteries are added to older systems.
Solar Chargers
Most cheap solar chargers (or regulators) simply restrict your solar panel power to ensure you don’t overcharge the battery. They don’t effectively use the extra voltage that modern solar panels produce, which reduces the yield of your solar array.
This is where a MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) charger makes a difference. MPPT chargers can convert the excess voltage into amperes, which is the “fuel” your batteries get filled
with as they charge. Additionally, most locations in Spain are at least 600 meters above sea level, which means solar panels can generate higher voltages. At higher altitudes, the skies are clearer, generating more light or irradiation. MPPT chargers can convert this extra light into more energy, with up to a 30% increase in efficiency being common.
The Inverter
The inverter converts the DC power from your battery, charger, or panels into AC power, which is the electricity used by domestic electrical appliances. Your inverter should have the ability to generate a support charge from a backup generator (or the grid, if you’re grid-connected). This type of inverter is called an inverter/charger.
The advantage of an inverter/charger is that it allows you to top up your power supply on cloudy days or when the family visits with all their hairdryers and gaming consoles.
Another important consideration is reliability. The inverter must be of good quality with replaceable spare parts in case something goes wrong. We are certified to make on-site repairs on our Outback Power equipment, which drastically reduces downtime.
By considering these factors, you can ensure that your solar system is both efficient and reliable,
providing sustainable energy for years to come.
