How to Get the Most from Your Solar PV Panels

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How to Get the Most from Your Solar PV Panels

When you invest in solar PV panels for your business, you’re not only saving money, you’re making a statement to the world – that you’re a company that cares about the environment.

Solar panels are extremely cost-effective in the long-term, but like any energy source, they require a good maintenance regime to operate at optimum efficiency.

Getting the Best from Your Solar PV Panels

If you’re thinking about investing in solar panels for your business, here’s a quick guide, detailing how to get the best results from them.

1. Check them regularly. Solar panels are self-cleaning, and you shouldn’t have to manually clean them very often. However, over time, bird droppings and dust can accumulate; and if your panels become partially obscured by dirt, this affects their productivity. Make sure you regularly check them, and if they look particularly dirty, arrange to have them cleaned. Please note – for safety reasons, we advise this job is taken on by a professional.
2. Read the inverter. Your inverter will tell you how much electricity is being generated. You’ll notice that on sunny days, this reading is far higher than on cloudy days (unsurprisingly!). These numbers help make you aware of how much electricity your business is using – and where you can cut down, if necessary. For example – does your boiler really need to be on in summer? Do you really need air conditioning on at all times during the hotter months, or would an open window do just as well?
3. No shade, full sun. Your solar panel installation team will help you choose the right location for your solar PV panels. However, here’s a quick run-down of what you need to consider.
   • No shade. Make sure no surrounding buildings or trees cast shade over your panels, as this will reduce their effectiveness.
   • South-facing. South-facing panels will make the most of the available sunlight, maximising output.
   • Angle. Your solar panels will need to be tilted at the best angle to absorb light properly.
4. Stage your equipment usage. If you’re really serious about limiting the amount of electricity you pull from the National Grid, consider ‘staging’ your use of electrical equipment wherever possible. Rather than using the air conditioning, computers, fans and printers all at the same time (which is a huge sap on your energy supply), stagger your usage. For example, have the air conditioning on for a short period of time to cool the office, then have a set time at lunchtime to switch the printers on if required. This will cut down your electricity bill significantly.

Solar PV Panels for Your Business

Solar PV panels are far better for the environment. Use them well, and they’re also more cost-effective for your business – and over the years, you could save a significant amount of money. If you’d like to discover more about installing solar panels on your business premises, simply get in touch with IPS Roofing on 01969 625000.