Is solar power right for my home?
This, plus a number of other environmental factors can have an impact on how much energy your solar panels produce throughout the year.
Direction
Not surprisingly, solar panels are most effective when they are pointed directly at the sun. In WA, this means they should face north.
The direction your panels face will often have a greater impact on the energy they product than the angle they're tilted at.
Sunlight
The amount of energy produced by a panel is directly related to the amount of energy it receives from the sun, it is important to have your panels installed so they receive maximum sunlight.
Your accredited installer should be able to tell you the average amount of energy that could be generated by your solar panels.
Shading & dirt
Avoid shaded areas and keep them free from dust and dirt. Even a small amount of shade, from things like trees, roof ventilators or antennas will greatly reduce the amount of energy your panels produce.
Shading or dirt on just one of the cells in a solar panel will cause loss of power from a number of cells, not just the one that is shaded.
Temperature
The amount of electricity your solar PV panel generates is reduced as it gets hotter.
Solar panels operate best at temperatures of up to 25°C and as the temperature rises, the panel’s electricity production decreases.
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