5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs 36 cell solar panel？

Electricity holds a critical significance in the economic growth of any country. Many nations are progressing rapidly, however if growth is to stay steadfast, the accessibility to a continuous supply of electricity is quintessential. In order to stimulate development in every sector, whether it is a large or small-scale manufacturing, education or healthcare, electricity is a key aspect.

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There are numerous obstacles which keep the power industry from unleashing its true capabilities. One of the major roadblocks is the availability and accessibility of fuel. Ironically, India has the 5th largest reservoir of coal in the world and yet our thermal plants are highly dependent on imported coal. This is why the cost of energy production increases, which leads to operational inefficiencies and unstable financial health. Therefore, governments and decision-makers are now emphasizing energy efficient solutions to mitigate the dependence on energy imports.

In addition, the colossal waves of urbanization and industrialization have hit every nook and corner of the world, making energy crunch an inevitable possibility in the coming years. To combat these situations, multiple industrialists, businesses and organizations are now migrating to renewable sources such as solar energy. This source of alternative power can not only compensate for demand for traditional energy sources (coal and gas), but also lay the groundwork for a greener and cleaner future.

However, building a quality infrastructure for solar production necessitates investors to make informed decisions regarding;

• The type of panels and supporting equipment
• Track-record of the EPC player
• Location of the installation
• Measurement of efficiency
• Post-Installation care and so forth

With each passing day, investment in commercial photovoltaic is increasing manifold. Firstly, because the performance of the panels has improved dramatically. Secondly, there is also mounting pressure by authorities on manufacturers and businesses to employ renewable energy sources with the goals to prevent climate change by constructing zero-carbon buildings.

The upfront cost of a solar plant is generally higher, that is why the efficiency of the panel equates with the return on investment (ROI). Numerous businesses invest their capital on commercial solar panels without assessing the upkeep and installation considerations to make panels efficient throughout their lifetime. As a result, these panels fail to generate ample amounts of electricity to support the power needs of a business.

Businesses should be mindful about a variety of factors to uphold maximum solar panels efficiency. Let’s walk you through the tips that can considerably transform and improve the efficiency and energy harvest.

1. Always spend in top-grade panels

The excellence of the photovoltaic panels you select influences the efficiency levels. Nowadays, most PV cells are mostly made with silicon. Its sanctity is a major contributor to the yield. The effectiveness and production levels of crystalline silicon solar panels can vary as per the purity of the cells used in it.

For instance, Monocrystalline panels have humongous, cylinder – shaped, silicon ingots that are sectioned into four parts to form the solar cells. They have noticeably uniform colors and rims. In comparison to polycrystalline photovoltaic panels, they are relatively more proficient and costly as well. They work well for projects that have limited space.

If you have ample space, you can always pick polycrystalline panels. Here, molten silicon is shaped using square-shaped moulds. Once the silicon cools down, the moulds are cut and used to form solar cells on arrays. Since this is a less expensive manufacturing method, the panels are generally cheaper than monocrystalline panels. Monocrystalline panels can also withstand the hot weather without harming the efficiency.

2. Deploying solar panels in shaded locations should be prevented.

Because solar panels produce energy from the photons, it comes down to the fact that shade reduces conversion efficiency. Although, many investors are unaware of the impact of shade on solar arrays.

Even if it is only one solar cell that is located in the shaded area, it could have an adverse influence on the power produced by its surrounding cells. It starts acting as a resistor instead of a driver.

Tree branches as well as other structural elements nearby the installation spot are the two most common culprits.  As an investor, you should ensure that you spend time during the planning phase analyzing the site to guarantee that shade will not be an area of concern.

3. Orientation and Positioning

Solar panels must be directed correctly in order to obtain an abundant amount of sunlight throughout the day. While determining the alignment, you must consider the location and altitude of your property. Competent and experienced EPC installers would be capable of mounting arrays ideally and compensate for any disadvantage in the installation site.

With that, solar trackers enable solar panels to tweak their placement in response to the changing position of the sun, although they are frequently incredibly expensive.

The position and angle are two key aspects to consider when configuring panels. For highest exposure to sunlight, they should be assembled at an angle ranging from 18-36 degrees. Panels must be oriented south if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. However, they should point to the north, if the installation is in the Southern Hemisphere.

4. Partner with a reputed EPC player

Do your research and join hands with EPC players who have a proven track-record of installation and expertise in the domain. EPC players take care of the project from the designing, procurement, installation to service stage. Since they are one-stop solution providers, you don’t have to rely on other vendors for parts and equipment.

Additionally, temperature has an implication on solar panel effectiveness. As the temperature goes beyond the normal levels, the efficiency of solar panels declines. During deployment, sufficient space should be given between the solar panels and the roof or between the arrays. It provides optimum air flow and keeps your photovoltaic panels from excessive heat.

5. Regular maintenance of the panels

Once installed, these panels or arrays require regular minimal maintenance as they don’t have an automated cleaning system. Nevertheless, it is ideal to wash the solar panels on a routine basis because dust particles could build up on the top layer and reduce the efficiency.

Dust may still induce a 5% decrease in outcome over the duration of a year. Even so, if they become filthy – in areas where the intensity of rainfall is low, then the harvest can drop by more than 20%. Accumulated leaves, dust and bird droppings can cover the upper surface and block the sun completely.

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The cell efficiency of these solar panels is greater than 21%. These solar panels are available in different wattages reaching up to 350w and with various cell configurations such as 72 cells, 60 cells, and 36 cells.

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These solar panels are backed by a 25 years linear warranty resulting in a more stable performance assurance and ensuring complete peace of mind for the customer.

Editor’s Note: In February , SunPower’s Commercial and Industrial Solutions business was acquired by TotalEnergies. Find out more about sustainability options for these industries.

In very simple terms, figuring out “How many solar panels do I need?” is a matter of dividing how much energy a solar panel can provide by how much your business uses. But you didn’t come here for “simple,” did you? You want a real answer.

Let’s dig a little deeper and put some actual numbers into our formula. Consider the following example:

• A medium-size business uses about 25,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year. That works out to approximately 70 kWh used each day. 

• Next you need to know how much electricity solar panels can generate. An average solar panel can produce approximately 250 watts of peak power (this is also called its “nameplate rating”). The actual number depends primarily on the efficiency of the solar panel design. 

• Finally, you need to know how much peak sunlight you receive each day. In the U.S., that ranges from about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. For this simplified example, let’s call it an average of 5 hours of daily direct sunlight. 

Now let’s do the math (Figure 1):

This basic formula shows a requirement of 14 kW. But we’re still not quite done. At the risk of complicating things a bit more, solar panels generate DC (direct current) electricity. Businesses use AC (alternating current). The conversion from DC to AC power isn’t perfectly efficient—typically somewhere around 80%. So you actually need to generate more than 14 kW (Figure 2). You’ll wind up needing approximately 17.5 kW to cover 100% of the energy needs.

To calculate the average number of solar panels you’ll need, divide the total required kilowatts by the solar panel’s nameplate rating (Figure 3). This example uses average-quality 250-watt panels:

Okay, let’s recap: A medium-sized business using an average amount of electricity needs approximately 70 average-quality solar panels to meet 100% of its electricity needs. These are just averages, but you get the idea. As it turns out, calculating how many solar panels your organization needs is not exactly rocket science.

Uncovering the underlying complexity

While it’s easy to find online calculators to plug in information such as the example above, the resulting answer to “How many solar panels to power a business?” is a “back-of-a-napkin” calculation at best. Read the fine print and you’ll find plenty of disclaimers about how your particular situation may vary, along with a contact form to fill out for more information (i.e., a sales call).

The truth is, calculating how many commercial solar panels you need likely goes beyond the capabilities of an online app. Consider the scenario outlined above. While it might be possible to determine how many solar panels are needed to cover average daily needs—what if your needs aren’t average? A printing company producing quarterly reports, for example, will experience spikes in energy usage four times each year. Can a commercial solar power system set up for average daily use meet the real-world electricity demands on days during these peak periods? Does an online calculator understand that the space you have available for solar panels is in the shadows of nearby trees for a portion of the day? Does an app factor in your organization’s financial and environmental goals for going solar? Probably not.

If you’re starting to seriously consider solar (a good assumption since you’re wondering how many panels you’ll need), it may be a good time to engage the services of an independent solar energy consultant or contact a knowledgeable solar provider. They can help educate you about some of the more nuanced factors hidden in the relatively simple calculation shown above. But whether you decide to hire an energy consultant, talk to a solar company or choose to sort through the options yourself, let’s cover the things you should definitely be thinking about.

When average isn’t so average

As mentioned above, understanding the specific energy needs for your operation is key. Energy fluctuations aren’t limited to month-to-month changes. Chances are, your local utility can help with reports tracking your yearly, monthly and even daily usage. You might discover your business is experiencing predictable spikes in electricity use at regular intervals on a daily basis. Rather than installing additional panels to meet peak consumption needs, perhaps a better solution would be to attach a commercial solar battery storage system to help level out demand and lower your commercial electricity demand charges. A little investigating will help you better understand your specific needs and the various solutions available to meet them.

Understanding your solar energy goals

It sounds obvious, but if your objective is to reduce or stabilize your utility bill by a certain amount, you need to identify that specific goal. The number of commercial solar power panels you need will be dramatically different if you’re looking to reduce costs by 50%, as opposed to covering 100% of your energy needs. And if net metering is an option in your area, you might want to install even more panels to take advantage of the credit you could receive by sending unused solar energy back into the grid. Partnering with a solar energy consultant or solar equipment provider who understands your unique objectives is key to calculating your solar panel needs.

Quality vs. quantity

For example, if solar panel A is rated at 200 watts and solar panel B is rated at 350 watts, it stands to reason that you will need fewer B panels to produce the same amount of solar electricity. When it comes to evaluating solar panel design, ratings matter—but they only tell part of the story. 

A solar panel efficiency rating is also important. It refers to the portion of sunlight energy that is converted into electricity. For example, a panel with a 20% efficiency rate would produce an amount of power equal to 20% of what it receives from the sun. (And 20% is actually very good. Commercially available solar panels currently average a 15% to 24% efficiency rate.) If a solar panel’s photovoltaic (PV) cells are more efficient, you need fewer panels to meet your electricity production goals.

A solar panel’s degradation rate can also impact how many solar panels you need. All solar cells degrade over time. Suffice it to say, the lower the degradation rate, the faster you can realize the commercial solar savings. Perhaps more importantly, predicting the amount of solar power that’s expected to be generated over 20 or 30 years (or more) can help determine how many solar panels are needed. 

Finally, while not necessarily a factor in how many solar panels you’ll need, durability is definitely a factor in how many solar panels you’ll need to purchase over the lifetime of your installation. If you plan to use your system in a harsh environment (e.g., desert heat, mountain snow or coastal sea air), the durability of your solar equipment could be a significant factor. Less expensive panels are no bargain if you need to replace them more frequently. And while we’re on this topic, keep in mind that panel warranties matter as well. 

Making a statement with solar panels

There are also less tangible factors that can go into determining how many solar panels are needed to power a business. For example, while a rooftop installation might be a viable option, your organization might opt to make a more public display of its commitment to corporate sustainability initiatives. A carport installation could visually demonstrate that commitment while also providing shaded parking for employees and customers. Perhaps providing solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of the installation could help attract socially-conscious employees and clients. Looking beyond the obvious bottom-line benefits of commercial solar energy can help you see other potential social and ecological “wins”—which can translate to bottom-line benefits as well.

Solar panel rocket science?

By now you’ve probably come to the conclusion that answering “How many solar panels do I need?” is not, in fact, rocket science. Hopefully, you’ve also discovered that it involves a much more complex and nuanced calculation than you might otherwise have considered. While it’s important to get to that final figure, it’s even more important to answer the underlying questions hidden within the formula. Only then will you accurately know how many solar panels you need to power a business.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom solar panels. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.