Are Solar Panels Efficient

Solar panel efficiency is a measure of the amount of solar energy irradiation which falls on a panel surface and is converted into electricity.

Are solar panels efficient. The solar panel efficiencydescribes how much sunlight is converted into electricity. The graphic below shows how dramatically solar panel performance has improved over time. Solar panel efficiency represents how effectively a solar panel can convert solar radiation e g. The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency.

Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how much sunlight that hits the surface area of a solar panel is converted into usable electricity. In this case it may seem that 800 watts are being wasted and solar panels often get criticism for their low efficiency. Due to the many recent advances in solar cell technology over the last 5 years average panel conversion efficiency has increased from 15 to 20. High quality solar panels can exceed 22 efficiency in some cases and almost reach 23 but the majority of photovoltaic panels available are not above 20 efficiency.

The most efficient solar panels commercially available today have solar panel efficiency just under 23. For example if you place a panel that is 20 efficient under 1 000 watts of sunshine it will produce 200 watts of electricity. If a solar panel has 20 percent efficiency that means it s capable of converting 20 percent of the sunshine hitting it into electricity.