11 Ways to Boost Your Solar Efficiency

You can do a few things to increase the efficiency of your panels. One simple way is to add anti-reflection coatings. Anti-reflection coatings allow cells to absorb more rays. Without anti-reflection coatings, more than 30% of the light that reaches your panels isn't absorbed and converted into energy. The photovoltaic cells in high-quality solar panels have anti-reflection coatings to prevent the loss of light from reflection, which can help them absorb more of the sun's rays. You can also orient solar panels for maximum exposure. So if you live in the northern hemisphere, orient your panels facing geographic south. If you live in the southern hemisphere, on the other hand, have your panels face north. That'll help your panels absorb more light as well.

Actually, yes, you can use reflectors or mirrors to bring more sunlight to your solar panels. But it may be a bad idea. The increased, unnatural exposure can cause hot spots on the panels, which could affect how well they function in the long run. Additionally, if the mirrors do damage your panels, it could void your warranty. So before you go surrounding your panels with mirrors, read through your warranty carefully to make sure it won't cause any problems if you need repairs or maintenance in the future. It may not be worth it.

The best, most efficient solar panels are made with grade A monocrystalline cells. The quality of your photovoltaic cells is the biggest predictor of solar panel efficiency. Whether buying or leasing, don't scrimp on the quality if efficiency is important to you. While panels with lower-grade cells might be less expensive to purchase, they'll be less efficient and produce less energy. In the long run, they'll cost you more to operate than panels with high-quality cells. Your best bet is to invest in higher quality panels from the start. Eventually, they may pay for themselves with the reduction in the energy you're buying from a power company.