Are Solar Panels Really Efficient

This is a nagging question that remains at the back of every eco conscious citizen s mind.

Are solar panels really efficient.

While there is no doubt that solar energy is a clean form of energy questions loom around the actual green index of solar panels. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range. Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration of time on two solar panels with different efficiency ratings the more efficient panel will produce more electricity than the less efficient panel. A new solar panel has reached 47 percent efficiency in the lab and nearly 40 percent in the field.

This large jump in efficiency resulted in the power output of a standard size. What you need to know. However are solar panels really energy efficient and eco friendly. Solar panel efficiency is a measure of the amount of solar energy irradiation which falls on a panel surface and is converted into electricity 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.

The final main category is solar thermal which uses lenses and mirrors and solar tracking to heat something really hot and then use that to run a heat engine the highest efficiency solar thermal. Solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010. Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of a solar panel s ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity.