Smart Grids, the new power sector configuration

Smart Grids, the new power sector configuration

Introduction

A smart grid is an electrical grid which includes a variety of operational and energy measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficient resources  Electronic power conditioning and control of the production and distribution of electricity are important aspects of the smart grid. It is digital technology that allows for two-way communication between the utility and its customers, and the sensing along the transmission lines is what makes the grid smart. Like the Internet, the Smart Grid will consist of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies and equipment working together, but in this case, these technologies will work with the electrical grid to respond digitally to our quickly changing electric demand.

The basic concept of Smart Grid is to add monitoring, analysis, control, and communication capabilities to the national electrical delivery system to maximize the throughput of the system while reducing the energy consumption. The Smart Grid will allow utilities to move electricity around the system as efficiently and economically as possible. It will also allow the homeowner and business to use electricity as economically as possible. You may want to keep your house set at 75 degrees F in the summertime when prices are low, but you may be willing to increase your thermostat to 78 degrees F if prices are high. Similarly, you may want to dry your clothes for 5 cents per kilowatt-hour at 9:00 pm instead of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour at 2:00 pm in the afternoon. You will have the choice and flexibility to manage your electrical use while minimizing your costs.

Smart Grid builds on many of the technologies already used by electric utilities but adds communication and control capabilities that will optimize the operation of the entire electrical grid. Smart Grid is also positioned to take advantage of new technologies, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, various forms of distributed generation, solar energy, smart metering, lighting management systems, distribution automation, and many more.

Traditionally, energy systems from power generation to homes are one-directional and based on more predictable, controllable and centralised power generation, Increasingly, more energy is being generated locally and connected directly to distribution networks, from solar panels on your roof, to small power plants. This is generally referred to by DSOs as distributed energy resources (DER) and in the specific case of renewables, distributed renewable energy sources (DRES).

The grid of yore is a one way transmission of energy; from power plant to transmission lines, substations and transformers to your home and to businesses. Plug in your smartphone and voilà you have electricity. Through the 9,200 generating units and the 300,000 miles of transmission lines, the current grid's generating capacity is 1 million megawatts. While impressive, we have patched this antiquated system to the point where the underlying structure is no longer viable enough to meet the needs of the 21st century and beyond.

 A smart grid not only carries electricity from a power plant to the source of need, it also carries information to and from all points of interaction. Using the binary blessing of digital technology, two–way communication can be built into the grid to give utility companies moment to moment knowledge of electrical demand and disruptions. Using automation and computers as well as existing and emerging technologies and equipment, the smart grid will also make smart utility companies, smart homes, and smart businesses to augment the entire electrical exchange making efficiency the premier benefit of the smart grid.

Need

Energy systems are changing – fundamentally and fast. The importance of individual energy sources and options for power generation are changing, as are the ways in which electricity is transmitted and distributed. Power generation is becoming more and more decentralized making grid management increasingly complex. Electrical consumption continues to steadily rise all over the world.

Since the early 21st century, opportunities to take advantage of improvements in electronic communication technology to resolve the limitations and costs of the electrical grid have become apparent. Technological limitations on metering no longer force peak power prices to be averaged out and passed on to all consumers equally. In parallel, growing concerns over environmental damage from fossil-fired power stations has led to a desire to use large amounts of renewable energy. Dominant forms such as wind power and solar power are highly variable, and so the need for more sophisticated control systems became apparent, to facilitate the connection of sources to the otherwise highly controllable grid   Power from photovoltaic cells (and to a lesser extent wind turbines) has also, significantly, called into question the imperative for large, centralized power stations. The rapidly falling costs point to a major change from the centralized grid topology to one that is highly distributed, with power being both generated and consumed right at the limits of the grid. Finally, growing concern over terrorist attack in some countries has led to calls for a more robust energy grid that is less dependent on centralized power stations that were perceived to be potential attack targets.

Meeting these challenges requires cutting-edge products and services covering the entire energy value chain. Specifically, it calls for a comprehensive portfolio of physical and digital technologies, products and solutions that allow us to actively build our energy future. Continuous and expanded growth of the share of renewable in centralized and decentralized grids require an effective new approach to grid management, making full use of “smart grids” and “smart grid technologies”. According to a report of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA), there is a growing evidence in many countries that high levels of renewable energy penetration in the grid is technically and economically feasible, particularly as solar and wind technologies increasingly reach grid parity in economic terms.

Existing grid systems already incorporate elements of smart functionality, but this is mostly used to balance supply and demand. Smart grids incorporate information and communications technology in every aspect of electricity generation, delivery and consumption in order to minimize environmental impact, enhance markets, improve reliability and service and reduce costs and improve efficiency.

These technologies can be implemented at every level, from generation technologies to consumer appliances. As a result, smart grids can play a crucial role in the transition to a sustainable energy future in several ways: facilitating smooth integration of high shares of variable renewable; supporting the decentralized production of power; creating new business models through enhanced information flows, consumer engagement and improved system control; and providing flexibility on the demand side.

Benefits

·         Efficient transmission of electricity

·         Peak demand will be leveled off, which will help to reduce overall electrical rates

·         Integration of solar and wind power, micro–grids and large–scale systems will be included

·         Interruptions in electrical service can be recovered more quickly through rerouting

·         Increased security by improving native energy sources and making the grid less prone to disasters or attacks

·         Produces opportunity for new markets, products and services

·         The customer can   manage   electrical usage to save money

·         Smart meters are becoming more common and allow the customer  to see how much electricity is used and when and the cost of it simply by logging on to online account

·         Monthly statements may simply be a way of collecting money –  customers online account will be able to give  real time information about how and when the customer can change your power demands to reduce your costs

·         This is especially beneficial if  there is a  solar or wind system installed in the  home or business so the user  can regulate and even out demand to get the most from the renewable energy systems

·         Reduced operations and management costs for utilities, and ultimately lower power costs for consumers

·         Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems

·         Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable energy systems

·         Improved security

Smart grids comprise a broad mix of technologies for modernizing electricity networks, extending from the end-user to the distribution and transmission levels.

Improved monitoring, control and automation technologies can help to enable new business models while unlocking system-wide benefits including reduced outages, improved response times, deferral of investment in the grids themselves and the integration of distributed energy resources.

At the end-user level, smart grids can enable demand flexibility and consumer participation in energy systems, including through demand response, electric vehicle charging and self-produced distributed generation and storage.

Demand flexibility can increase the overall capacity of the system to host variable renewable while accelerating the electrification of heating, cooling and industry at lower costs. Deploying a physical layer of smart grid infrastructure – underpinned by smart meters – can help to unlock these benefits.

Smart meter deployment has seen great strides in recent years in a few key regions  at the distribution level, “smartening” energy systems through information and communication technology (ICT) allows for optimization of grid monitoring and control. In particular, data and analytics allow for the real-time monitoring of conditions, opening up possibilities for predicting failures and carrying out remote maintenance.

Better and cheaper sensors are improving the visibility of grid conditions, allowing the physical capacity of the network to be increased. Overall, digital energy networks reduce the need to build new power lines or invest in physical network assets.

At the transmission level, new high voltage technologies allow for greater interconnection between networks and the connection of remote energy resources. Digital smart control technologies allow transmission networks to operate at higher capacities, closer to their physical limits. They can also improve management of interconnections between regions and countries.  

The Smart Grid represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the energy industry into a new era of reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health. During the transition period, it will be critical to carry out testing, technology improvements, consumer education, development of standards and regulations, and information sharing between projects to ensure that the benefits we envision from the Smart Grid become a reality.  

Today, an electricity disruption such as a blackout can have a domino effect—a series of failures that can affect banking, communications, traffic, and security. This is a particular threat in the winter, when homeowners can be left without heat. A smarter grid will add resiliency to our electric power System and make it better prepared to address emergencies such as severe storms, earthquakes, large solar flares, and terrorist attacks. Because of its two-way interactive capacity, the Smart Grid will allow for automatic rerouting when equipment fails or outages occur. This will minimize outages and minimize the effects when they do happen. When a power outage occurs, Smart Grid technologies will detect and isolate the outages, containing them before they become large-scale blackouts. The new technologies will also help ensure that electricity recovery resumes quickly and strategically after an emergency—routing electricity to emergency services first, for example. In addition, the Smart Grid will take greater advantage of customer-owned power generators to produce power when it is not available from utilities. By combining these "distributed generation" resources, a community could keep its health center, police department, traffic lights, phone System, and grocery store operating during emergencies. In addition, the Smart Grid is a way to address an aging energy infrastructure that needs to be upgraded or replaced. It’s a way to address energy efficiency, to bring increased awareness to consumers about the connection between electricity use and the environment. And it’s a way to bring increased national security to our energy System—drawing on greater amounts of home-grown electricity that is more resistant to natural disasters and attack.

Giving Consumers Control

The Smart Grid is not just about utilities and technologies; it is about giving you the information and tools you need to make choices about your energy use. If you already manage activities such as personal banking from your home computer, imagine managing your electricity in a similar way. A smarter grid will enable an unprecedented level of consumer participation. For example, you will no longer have to wait for your monthly statement to know how much electricity you use. With a smarter grid, you can have a clear and timely picture of it. "Smart meters," and other mechanisms, will allow you to see how much electricity you use, when you use it, and its cost. Combined with real-time pricing, this will allow you to save money by using less power when electricity is most expensive. While the potential benefits of the Smart Grid are usually discussed in terms of economics, national security, and renewable energy goals, the Smart Grid has the potential to help you save money by helping you to manage your electricity use and choose the best times to purchase electricity. And you can save even more by generating your own power.

Description

Smart grid technologies are divided roughly into three groups:

1. Well-established: Some smart grid components, notably distribution automation and demand response, are well-established technologies that directly enable renewable and are usually cost-effective, even without taking into consideration the undeniable benefits of sustainability related to renewable energy integration.

2. Advanced: Smart inverters and renewable forecasting technologies are already used to increase the efficiency and productivity of renewable power generation, yet tend to entail additional costs. These devices start to help noticeably when capacity penetration for renewable reaches 15 percent or more (on any section of the grid) and become essential as this capacity penetration approaches 30 percent, although there is little downside to choosing smart inverters even at low penetration levels.

3. Emerging: Distributed storage and micro-grids are generally not “entry level” smart grid technologies and thus are less well-developed. Most utilities focus on other technologies first, except in special circumstances (such as with grant funding, high reliability requirements, or remote locations).

This shows that a range of enhanced smart grid technologies is already available to improve grid performance and enable higher penetration levels of renewable energy. Furthermore, the use of smart grids is cost-effective when installing new grids or upgrading old ones. Examples of cost-effective smart grid technologies include “smart meters”, which can measure and track the output of a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system and send that data back to the utility operating the grid, and “smart transformers” that will automatically notify grid operators and technicians if the transformer’s internal temperature exceeds normal limits.

Applications of smart grid technologies can be found across the world, from isolated islands to very large integrated systems. For developed countries, smart grid technologies can be used to upgrade, modernize or extend old grid systems, while at the same time providing opportunities for new, innovative solutions to be implemented. For developing and emerging countries, smart grid technologies are essential to avoid lock-in of outdated energy infrastructure, to attract new investment streams, and create efficient and flexible grid systems that are able to accommodate rising electricity demand and a range of different power sources.

With renewable power shares sure to continue increasing, smart grid technologies in combination with appropriate supporting policies and regulations will be essential to transform the electricity system and create the grid infrastructure to support a sustainable energy future.

 Demand response support

Demand response support allows generators and loads to interact in an automated fashion in real time, coordinating demand to flatten spikes. Eliminating the fraction of demand that occurs in these spikes eliminates the cost of adding reserve generators, cuts wear and tear and extends the life of equipment, and allows users to cut their energy bills by telling low priority devices to use energy only when it is cheapest.^[19]

Currently, power grid systems have varying degrees of communication within control systems for their high-value assets, such as in generating plants, transmission lines, substations and major energy users. In general information flows one way, from the users and the loads they control back to the utilities. The utilities attempt to meet the demand and succeed or fail to varying degrees (brownouts, rolling blackout, and uncontrolled blackout). The total amount of power demand by the users can have a very wide probability distribution which requires spare generating plants in standby mode to respond to the rapidly changing power usage. This one-way flow of information is expensive; the last 10% of generating capacity may be required as little as 1% of the time, and brownouts and outages can be costly to consumers. 

Platform for advanced services

As with other industries, use of robust two-way communications, advanced sensors, and distributed computing technology will improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of power delivery and use. It also opens up the potential for entirely new services or improvements on existing ones, such as fire monitoring and alarms that can shut off power, make phone calls to emergency services, etc.

Technology

The bulk of smart grid technologies are already used in other applications such as manufacturing and telecommunications and are being adapted for use in grid operations.

·         Integrated communications: Areas for improvement include: substation automation, demand response, distribution automation, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), energy management systems, wireless mesh networks and other technologies, power-line carrier communications, and fiber-optics. Integrated communications will allow for real-time control, information and data exchange to optimize system reliability, asset utilization, and security.

·         Sensing and measurement: core duties are evaluating congestion and grid stability, monitoring equipment health, energy theft prevention,and control strategies support. Technologies include: advanced microprocessor meters (smart meter) and meter reading equipment, wide-area monitoring systems, dynamic line rating (typically based on online readings by Distributed temperature sensing combined with \ Real time thermal rating (RTTR) systems), electromagnetic signature measurement/analysis, time-of-use and real-time pricing tools, advanced switches and cables, backscatter radio technology, and Digital protective relays.

·         Smart meters.

·         Phasor measurement units. Many in the power systems engineering community believe that the Northeast blackout of 2003 could have been contained to a much smaller area if a wide area phasor measurement network had been in place.

·         Distributed power flow control: power flow control devices clamp onto existing transmission lines to control the flow of power within. Transmission lines enabled with such devices support greater use of renewable energy by providing more consistent, real-time control over how that energy is routed within the grid. This technology enables the grid to more effectively store intermittent energy from renewables for later use.

·         Smart power generation using advanced components: smart power generation is a concept of matching electricity generation with demand using multiple identical generators which can start, stop and operate efficiently at chosen load, independently of the others, making them suitable for base load and peakingpower generation.Matching supply and demand, called load balancing,is essential for a stable and reliable supply of electricity. Short-term deviations in the balance lead to frequency variations and a prolonged mismatch results in blackouts. Operators of power transmission systems are charged with the balancing task, matching the power output of all the generators to the load of their electrical grid. The load balancing task has become much more challenging as increasingly intermittent and variable generators such as wind turbines and solar cells are added to the grid, forcing other producers to adapt their output much more frequently than has been required in the past

·       Power system automation enables rapid diagnosis of and precise solutions to specific grid disruptions or outages. These technologies rely on and contribute to each of the other four key areas. Three technology categories for advanced control methods are: distributed intelligent agents (control systems), analytical tools (software algorithms and high-speed computers), and operational applications (SCADA, substation automation, demand response, etc.).  

The Future of the Smart Grid

  Industry, corporate & government money, and technology are pressing forward on building a Smart Grid. However, it isn't just the U.S. that needs to build a Smart Grid; this is a worldwide necessity. A report done by Memoori Business Intelligence Ltd,   found that Smart Grid equipment alone will require $2 trillion to "achieve full penetration of the world's existing grid . . to 2030"

Factors that are causing sharp fall in Solar Costs and home solar systems

                    

Factors that are causing sharp fall in Solar Costs and home solar systems

Introduction  

There has been a phenomenal growth in solar capacity (500 GW in 2018 forecasted to grow to 4600 GW in 2025) internationally. The drivers of this growth are: reduced cost of technology; government policy and initiatives; and innovation in solar technology. The key factor is cost, PV plant efficiencies have increased and there is ongoing innovation that is decreasing the cost of solar technology.

Solar panels, inverter costs and panel racking costs have come down at a steady pace each year, resulting in large declines over time. There are a variety of causes, including manufacturing efficiencies, a steep decline in polysilicone prices from their high levels a decade ago (a material used by the photovoltaic solar industry) and fierce competition among manufacturers.

Core equipment cost has fallen faster than any other cost element that contributed to solar pricing. PV module accounts for 40% to 45% of the total solar cost, inverter contributes 20% to 35% of the total cost, project costs have declined by 20% in 2017 alone and there is every reason to believe that significant decrease in cost will occur in the future. The cost of the solar module has dropped by 40% between 2010 and 2016. This has been driven by technology, economy of scales and increasing automation .Production costs are forecasted to decline by a further 15% to 20% between 2017 and 2025.

The   buy back metering and arrangements also will assist the increased penetration of the solar. The role of the so called “prosumer” an entity that is both a consumer and supplier of solar power will increase. It is likely that the near future it is likely that the smart building package will include a solar interface .This may include a energy management system, storage and smart appliances. Net energy metering (NEM) is essentially a billing arrangement that allows organizations generating their own electricity to deliver unused energy back to the grid—and be credited at the retail energy rate. In most cases, these credits are applied to your monthly electric utility bill or rolled over month-to-month until they’re used up. You can even be compensated for any excess energy you generate. It can be a highly effective way to reduce the overall cost of solar panels for business.

Solar and solar battery storage   may make financial sense. An ever-growing number of businesses are taking a closer look at the potential of battery storage to lower their monthly energy bills, especially when combined with a commercial solar system. These refrigerator-sized batteries can offer a highly effective way to reduce demand charges by discharging their stored energy when needed to offset spikes in demand—potentially leading to substantial savings.

Digitization has already become an important factor that has driven prices down. The inverter can become the brains of the energy management system and contribute to further efficiency in energy utilization .Digitization can also assist in reducing the O&M cost of a large solar installation. Interconnection to a main grid also offers business opportunities to both the grid and the prosumer .

Higher AC voltages allows for higher power density, lower losses, and improved reliability. Modern homes now have solar panels cover the roof and façade and generate dc which is converted into ac by invertors. In one hour the system harnesses enough Energy to power the building for a complete day with the excess stored for later use or supplied to the grid.

Home solar systems

Purchasing a solar system large enough to offset all of the electricity that an energy-intensive home uses every month is necessarily going to cost more than installing a smaller solar array that is intended to just offset some of the electrical bill. One cost-effective method of reducing the size of the solar system needed is to reduce the amount of overall electric demand in the home, before trying to price a residential solar system, as purchasing a smaller solar power setup can offset a larger percentage of the home’s energy needs, simply because the demand has been reduced. Replacing older appliances with more modern energy-efficient models can be one approach, but potential solar homeowners can also use other strategies for reducing their electrical demands, including installing or modifying their landscaping so that it helps to shade and cool the house, installing more insulation and upgrading the windows and doors, as well as tracking down vampire energy loads (electrical demand from electronics and appliances that can use quite a bit of electricity when nobody is using them – even while on standby).

Rooftop evaluation

Another factor that affects the cost of solar is the amount of space available on the roof that can be used for a solar array, and the orientation of the roof itself. A rooftop that has less available space for solar panels can limit the size of the rooftop solar array, and a smaller array will cost less than a larger one. A roof that isn’t oriented to the south or the west, or one that has too steep or too shallow of a pitch won’t be as efficient as a rooftop solar array that exposes the panels to the sun for long periods throughout the day and the course of a year, and any system inefficiencies will effectively raise the relative cost of a residential solar system because of reduced output (as compared to a system of the same size, but with optimal orientation and pitch).

Choice of solar panels

The type and model of solar panels used for the system is another factor in the cost of solar, although one that may be more up to the solar installer than the homeowner. Three different types of solar panels are available on the market: those made with monocrystalline solar cells or polycrystalline cells, and thin film solar. For home solar systems, the two types of panels used most often are those made from monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. As a rule of thumb, mono- type cells tend to be more efficient than poly- cells, but they also command a slightly higher price. Solar panels made from polycrystalline cells are said to have an advantage in hot climates, as some of the monocrystalline units may lose some efficiency as the panels heat up on hot days, although these specs can vary by model and manufacturer. Due to higher efficiency, a monocrystalline panel can be sized smaller than a polycrystalline panel with the same generating capacity, which means that the overall array can be smaller. However, for a home-sized solar array, being able to save 10% of the space with higher efficiency solar panels may not be nearly as important as getting the best overall price. Advances in solar technology, and the current trend of dropping costs for solar panels, is gradually equalizing these differences in solar cost and solar efficiencies.

Because solar panels are manufactured by many different companies, each with slightly variations in configuration, materials, and technology, the costs of the panels can vary quite a bit when it comes to quality and efficiency. Choosing the lowest price you can find on solar panels may seem like the way to go at first, but bargain-priced solar panels may end up saving less money (or costing more, depending on how you see it) over the years, because if those panels aren’t as efficient, or are a lower quality, the cost per watt generated over time won’t be as good of a deal as originally thought. On the other hand, higher priced solar panels may not always offer the best value, either. In order to consider the overall cost of a solar system, it’s important to calculate a cost per watt for the whole array, and to figure in the power tolerance ratings for the specified solar panels, which will give you an idea of the range of variation you might see in their performance.

Solar panel mounting hardware

Another factor that goes in to the price of a residential solar system is the kind of racking (mounting hardware), and the amount of racking required for a system. The racking is used to fasten the panels to the roof itself, and to connect each panel with the ones adjacent to it. Each solar installer has their own favorite mounting system they use for each different type of situation (the local weather conditions, the pitch of roof, the size of the solar array, and so forth), so the choice and cost of the mounting hardware will probably be up to the solar installer, unless you install your own system.

Power inverter

The brand and model of the power inverter unit, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) used inside the home, and which connects the solar system to the utility grid, also affects the total cost of a solar power installation. Just like solar panels, there are a variety of different manufacturers and models of solar inverters available, and all of them feature slightly different efficiencies and ratings, and are made for different installation situations. The solar installer will probably be choosing the appropriate model for your solar array, which they will determine by their working knowledge and personal experience with installing inverters for different situations.

Labor costs

The cost of the labor to transport and install the solar array is another factor that can affect the cost of residential solar power, and is something that the installer generally includes into the cost of the solar project. Labor costs for solar installation can vary widely by geographic location, by individual installers, and by the size of the array. The labor costs aren’t something that can be individually reduced, unless the homeowner installs their own system, so getting several quotes for the cost of similar solar power systems, as well as the specifications, from different installers is one way to be sure you’re getting the best overall value for the cost of a solar system.

These variables are all part of the residential solar power equation that determines the cost of solar power, and while some of them, such as size of the solar array or where it gets installed, can vary by the customer, other costs might not be nearly as simple to compare. Because of this, it’s important to ask a lot of questions of the solar installer, which can help you to make the most informed choice and get the most solar value for your money.

Solar panel efficiency, or conversion rate, refers to how much of the incoming solar energy is converted into electrical power. Typically, the efficiency of commercial solar panels operates in the range 11-15%. The most efficient solar cell to this date is based on a multi-junction concentrator and converts 44.0% of incoming solar energy into electricity.^[1] The highest performing solar panels has a module efficiency of 20.1%. 

 Another factor likely to impact the overall cost of installing a solar system in your home is the type and model of solar panels you decide to use, although this might be up to the installer and not you. There are three types of solar panels on the market:

·         Monocrystalline cells solar

·         Polycrystalline cells solar

·         Thin film solar

The solar panel mounting hardware and the amount of racking required will also impact your final price. Racking is for fastening the panels to your roof and connecting each panel to the next. Each installer has a favorite mounting system depending on the situation, local weather patterns, size of your solar array, the pitch of your roof and others. Other solar panel factors that have a direct bearing on the estimate you receive include the power inverter unit you use and labor costs.

Solar Panel Type

• Monocrystalline solar panels are based on the highest-purity silicon available. This makes them the most efficient solar panel type available for homeowners.
• Solar panels based on polycrystalline silicon are usually not quite as efficient as monocrystalline, but there is not that much of a difference.
• Today`s thin-film solar panels are relatively inefficient, but they also cost less. Thin-film solar panels take up a lot more space than mono- or polycrystalline solar panels, which is why they are unsuited for most households.

 Shade

Shade will obviously affect the output of solar panels. Depending on your setup, a little shade can even bring down an entire solar system. Micro-inverters offer a possible solution to shading issues. Professional solar panel installers will do a thorough analysis of shading in your specific situation.

Orientation

For best efficiency, solar panels should be positioned to maximize the input of sunlight.  Solar trackers were invented in order to adjust the orientation of solar panels to follow the sun`s trajectory throughout the day. For most homeowners, solar trackers do not pass a cost-benefit analysis – they are simply too expensive.The pitch of your roof can be altered with racks. In many cases this will allow your solar panels to stay longer in the sun.

 Temperature

Temperature is not something you have to consider unless you live in very hot areas  As the temperatures increase, the efficiency of solar panels usually decreases a little bit.Professional installers will make sure that the solar panels are positioned to receive sufficient amounts of airflow. This induces natural cooling, which help keep the efficiency rates up.

 Lifetime

The efficiency of solar panels does degrade a little bit over time. The general rule of thumb is that the power output drops by 0.5% every year. Solar panel manufacturers often offer a warranty that guarantees the power output stays above 80% after 25 years.

 Maintenance

A solar system generally requires very little maintenance – especially if the system is grid-tied. However, cleaning the solar panels on a regular basis is recommended. Dust and dirt will affect the efficiency of solar panels if not taken care of. In most places, wiping off the dust with soapy water is sufficient. In some places, the rainfall will do the job for you. Use cleaning services if you`re too anxious to get up on the roof. Best practices would be to monitor the power output of the solar panels to get an idea of how often cleaning them is necessary.

 Solar Panel Efficiency

Efficiency ratings of solar panels are only one of many different factors that have to be taken into account when considering going solar. Solar panels with conversion rates of 8% will need twice the area as solar panels with conversion rates of 16%. This is why most homeowners end up choosing mono- or poly-crystalline solar panels – these have great efficiency rates and are also space-efficient.  Greater the efficiency of the solar panel (and other equipment) greater the overall energy production of the system. Although the most efficient solar panels available on the market have an efficiency of 22.5 percent, most panels are in the 14 to 16 percent range. This difference in efficiency means that one system can have a solar energy output that is 50 percent greater than a less efficient system. Some other associated costs are reduced by greater efficiency, such as racking system equipment, installation and transportation costs. Efficiency in turn fuels greater opportunities to sell more solar generation capacity, as many residential systems are limited by the space available for mounting panels.

Demand

One of the most important factors, and one that the homeowner has the most control over, is the amount of electricity that gets used every month. In a house that has predominantly electric appliances (water heater, stove, central air conditioning and heat, washing machine and clothes dryer, electronics such gaming systems, computers, and home entertainment systems), then the amount of electricity used every month is going to be quite a bit higher than for those whose homes have gas appliances, a solar or gas hot water system, or an intelligent home energy management system (which can help to radically reduce ‘vampire’ energy use and to automate appliance and lighting use for optimal energy efficiency).

Prospective solar homeowners can get an idea of how much their own electrical demand is by looking at their utility bills over the course of a year, and can then calculate how much their average monthly electricity usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) is. This number can give homeowners a good idea about how much solar capacity will be needed, if their desire is to offset all of their home’s electricity use. A home solar system doesn’t have to always be able to generate the full amount, or an excess, of electricity used in the home every month (assuming it’s not an off-grid solar system, which will have to be sized to fit the electric demands of the home, as well as integrate a battery bank for energy storage). Many homeowners looking to go solar may seek to only reduce the amount of electricity they buy from the grid, which can reduce their electricity costs, and a smaller system might work better in their situation and with their budget.

Update:

Possible reduction in solar panel cost:

Chinese researchers have developed a new technique that could boost the efficiency and reduce the costs of making solar cells

The study of scientists from the Lanzhou University, the Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, and the Functional Thin Films Research Center at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, was published in the December 2018 issue of the journal Nano Energy.The Chinese researchers say that they have developed a newly emerging technique that could meet the long-time dream of photovoltaic researchers to have high-performance silicon solar cells with low-temperature and solution-based processes only.

The new technique used by the Chinese scientists includes high performance hole- and electron-selective layers (HSL and ESL) for both polarities on silicon substrate. The contact resistivity was dramatically decreased, while a remarkable efficiency of 15.1 percent was achieved, according to the scientists. The new technique to make solar cells could allow solar cells to avoid high-temperature processes, thus making those solar cells lower-cost and more efficient, Peng Shanglong, the head of a research team at Lanzhou University, told Xinhua.“Because of high equipment costs and complex techniques, traditional solar cells have long been limited in use on a large scale,” Peng told the Chinese news agency.

Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) said earlier this month that they had experimented with increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cells by incorporating layers of organic molecules into the solar cell. This could potentially abolish the 29.3 percent theoretical efficiency limit for silicon solar cells due to their physical material properties, they say. Researchers at Penn State have been searching for less expensive alternatives to solar cells and found that the properties of an inexpensive and quick-to-produce class of materials known as halide perovskites could lead to more efficient PV materials to replace traditional silicon solar cells.