Solar power technology has significantly improved over the years.
Today, solar panels can efficiently provide enough electricity to power homes, or at least provide sufficient electricity for your household needs.
Because of the recent advancements of the technology, solar power systems are more efficient than ever.
They are a lot easier to install as well.
These systems allow homeowners to take full advantage of the sun's virtually unlimited energy.
As a result, homeowners can expect reduced monthly electricity bills, while knowing that they have done their part to help the environment as well.
At the center of such solar power systems is the solar panel.
The panels are responsible for absorbing the sun's energy and converting it into usable electricity.
Although there are a variety of panels out there, there are several factors that can significantly affect the power output of your solar power system.
If you have a solar power system which helps provide some of the electricity that your home needs, it is essential that your power system is as efficient as possible.
If you notice that your power system's average output seem to have fallen a bit off, there are things that you can do to essentially get back your usual power output.
The first thing you should do, in making sure that your solar panel is still efficiently providing adequate power output, is to look for shadows across your panels.
Shading and dirt are believed to be the main causes of poor or inefficient power output.
Making sure that there are no abstractions between the sun and your panels is essential.
There are cases where tree branches and shrubs that have grown over time will hinder the sun's light from getting through to your solar panel array.
To make sure that your system is not affected by shading, carefully go to where you have placed your panels and observe the shading effect of trees at certain times of the day.
If your solar array is situated on your rooftop, carefully go up to your roof, if at all possible, at various times to see the see the shading effects of nearby trees.
If needed, trim down those trees or shrubs that are shading your solar panel system.
In addition, while up there checking for shading effects, you may also want to check for dirt and grime on your solar panel system.
Dirt is another essential factor that could cause your solar power system to generate power output inefficiently.
The buildup of dust as well as possible smog residue could seriously affect the efficiency of your solar panel system.
If you are living in an urban environment, it is highly recommended that you wash your solar panels once every couple of months.
Consider the part of the roof where you have installed your solar panel array.
If it is easy to climb on, use a long handled truck washing brush that has an extension.
When washing your solar panel system, make sure to avoid using detergents as these can strip the protective coating on the panel.
Plain water is typically enough to remove any dirt buildup on the panels, but if you want, you can use a mild car washing solution, just make sure that it does not have wax as part of its ingredients though.