This is counterintuitive that solar panel efficiency can be adversely affected by temperature rises. Solar panels are evaluated at 25°C (STC), about 77° F. Depending on the place installed, temperature can decrease output efficiency by 10 to 25 percent. When your solar panel’s temperature rises, the current it produces increases exponentially while its voltage output decreases by a linear process. The voltage reduction is so precise it is used to measure temperature accurately.

This means that temperatures can drastically affect the solar panel’s energy output. In the construction environment, there are myriad options to address this problem.

Different designs for modules and semiconductor compounds react with temperatures – here’s an overview of what to expect.

Determining Your Efficiency

The best method of determining the panel’s resistance to heat is to look at the datasheet from the manufacturer. In the datasheet, you’ll notice the phrase “temperature coefficient (Pmax. )” The temperature coefficient is also known as the power at its highest coefficient. It will tell you how much power a panel loses if the temperature increases by one degC over 25degC. * STC (STC is the Standard Test Condition temperature where the module’s nameplate power is calculated).

For instance, the temperature coefficient of solar panels could be -.258 percent for every degree Celsius. For each degree above 25 degrees Celsius, the power output that the board can produce drops by .258 percent, and for each degree lower, it grows by .258 percent. This means that seasonal fluctuations will affect your solar panel regardless of where you are. But the temperature coefficient informs you that efficiency improves at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius. Therefore, in most conditions, efficiency will even out in the long term.

In a region where temperatures exceeding 25 ° C. are typical, there are alternative options to Mono and Polycrystalline modules. These offer the most efficient effectiveness (At 1:1 concentration) but have the highest temperature coefficient PMAX. Designers for projects might want to think about a thin-film or CdTe module or, in the case of the need for a large-scale project, one that is High Concentration PV intended for extreme temperatures but unsuitable for smaller projects.

How to Reduce the Effects of Heat

Once the module technology has been chosen to be installed, There are many methods to reduce the negative impact of extreme temperatures:

* Place the panels at least a few inches higher than the roof so that convective airflow will help cool them.

Make sure that the panels are constructed using white or light-colored material to minimize heat absorption.

* Move combiners and inverters to the shaded areas behind the array.