When it comes to energy storage and technology, efficiency is always a primary point of concern. After all, you want to generate and retain as much energy as possible in order to get the most out of your equipment. Companies like Tigo have attempted to make this as easy as possible while providing custom solutions for consumers. However, buying the right technology is only one part of the process.
Cell
It's no surprise that the solar cell is a key part of the equation. For solar cells, there are many experimental technologies out there that show promise, but they're often unaffordable or simply not available due to a lack of production. Solar cells include multi-cell gallium arsenide, single-cell gallium arsenide, crystalline silicon, thin-film copper-indium-gallium-selenide, and emerging PV technologies, such as dye-sensitive cells. Dye-sensitive cells are low efficiency, but they do tend to be inexpensive. For all practical purposes, crystalline silicon is the most common, and you can expect the efficiency to peak at around 25%. The unfortunate truth is that you likely won't have much say in terms of the solar cell since price and availability are such key factors. Luckily, other areas allow greater control.
Fill
Fill factor is relatively easy to visualize. For a home, there's only so much roof for placing solar panels. The fill factor is the utilization of whatever surface area you have for the panels. After all, you can't use a surface you don't have. This also ties directly into orientation. While you want to use as much of the surface area as possible, you simultaneously want to get the most out of the space and minimize your cost. Orientation plays a key role.
Orientation
You may have noticed that solar panels on rooftops tend to face the direction of the winter sun. This might seem odd, since you obviously don't get as much daylight during the winter months, but this is precisely the point. By orienting the panels towards the winter sun, you ensure that you get the most out of the limited light. During summer, daylight is more abundant, and the loss of exposure doesn't matter nearly as much. This is where the fill factor and orientation combine to help improve efficiency. You want to minimize your losses while making the most out of the area and placement.
Grade
The various grades for solar panels help to indicate their efficiency. Grade A panels are offered by brand name companies, and they generally have no imperfections. Their output should be 100% of their rating. Grade B panels generally only have cosmetic imperfections, which shouldn't put their output below 90%. Be wary of lower grade solar panels and buying them off eBay or other websites. You can't be certain what you'll get. When in doubt, it's best to go with an established brand.
Glazing
Solar panels operate outdoors, so they're constantly exposed to rain, hail, snow, and other weather that can cause damage. For longevity and performance, glazing is used to protect the panels from damage. Usually, either polycarbonate or low-iron glass will be used. These allow for roughly 90% transmissivity, which means that roughly 90% of light passes through.
As you can see, solar battery storage can get complex fairly quickly. Other equipment, such as your charge controller and MPPT controller, should also be considered. Therefore, it's a good idea to consult with the experts before beginning a new project. Contact The PowerStore at 888-595-0580 to ask questions and get started.