Advantages of High-Efficiency Solar Panels
Although high-efficiency solar panels are more expensive, they offer several advantages. Plus, your electricity savings from going solar can help you recover the higher upfront cost over time. Here are a few benefits of high-efficiency solar panels:
Use Space More Effectively
Since high-efficiency modules convert a higher percentage of sunlight into electricity, they allow you to use roof space more effectively. For example, compared to 10% efficient panels, 20% efficient panels can generate twice as much electricity per square foot. In other words, high-efficiency solar panels produce more energy using fewer panels.
If the area available for your PV array is limited, you can achieve maximum power output with monocrystalline solar panels.
Offer Higher Energy Savings
Monocrystalline panels have a higher efficiency and wattage than polycrystalline panels of the same size. For example, when comparing 60-cell solar modules, you might find a 300-watt (W) poly panel versus a 370 W mono panel. Here’s an example of how solar panel wattage can impact your system size and energy savings:
- If you have space for 20 panels on your roof, you can reach a total system wattage of 6 kilowatts (kW) with polycrystalline panels and 7.4 kW with monocrystalline panels.
- With favorable sunlight, the 6 kW system can generate over 9,000 kWh of usable electricity each year, but a 7.4 kW system can generate over 11,000 kWh.
- Assuming you pay an electric tariff of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the 6 kW system can save around $1,440 in annual electricity bills, but the 7.2 kW system saves around $1,760.
The average cost of solar panels is $2.85 per watt, according to our March 2023 survey of 1,000 homeowners with installed solar. Since monocrystalline panels have a higher wattage, they also cost more than polycrystalline panels. However, the price difference is minimal when you compare both panel types in terms of cost per watt.
Less Impact from High Temperatures
All solar panels suffer a small loss in wattage as they heat up. This effect is temporary — panels recover the lost productivity once they cool down. However, when you constantly expose solar panels to hot weather, the loss of production can add up over time. As a result, hot temperatures can result in a 10% to 25% decrease in solar panel efficiency.
Solar panels have a metric called the temperature coefficient, which describes the negative effect of heat. For example, a panel with a coefficient of -0.40% per Celsius degree will lose 8% productivity with a temperature rise of 20°C. On average, monocrystalline panels have lower temperature coefficients than polycrystalline panels, which means they are less affected by heat. This is a major advantage in warm regions where hot temperatures can impact solar panel performance over time.
Qualify for Higher Solar Incentives
Many solar benefit programs calculate financial incentives by the per-watt capacity of your solar system. Since high-efficiency panels have a higher wattage, they can qualify for higher incentive amounts. However, this does not apply to incentive programs with fixed rebates.
The federal solar tax credit is a nationwide incentive that allows you to claim 30% of your solar system costs as a tax credit for the year you install panels. Since monocrystalline panels cost more, your total system cost will likely be higher than if you used polycrystalline panels. As a result, you will see a higher tax incentive per panel.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Percentage increase in the share of solar energy in the global energy mix |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Inclusion of climate change measures in national energy policies and strategies |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the benefits of high-efficiency solar panels, which contribute to the goal of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). It also mentions the use of solar panels in cities and their impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the goal of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Additionally, the article highlights the impact of high temperatures on solar panel efficiency, which relates to the need for climate action (SDG 13).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The article indirectly addresses these targets by promoting high-efficiency solar panels as a means to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2). It also highlights the use of solar panels in cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, contributing to the reduction of adverse environmental impacts in urban areas (Target 11.6). Lastly, the article emphasizes the impact of high temperatures on solar panel efficiency, which calls for the integration of climate change measures in energy policies and strategies (Target 13.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Percentage increase in the share of solar energy in the global energy mix: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 7.2 by tracking the growth of solar energy’s contribution to the overall energy mix.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in cities: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 11.6 by monitoring the decrease in emissions resulting from the adoption of solar panels in urban areas.
- Inclusion of climate change measures in national energy policies and strategies: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 13.2 by assessing the extent to which national energy policies and strategies incorporate measures to address climate change, such as promoting the use of high-efficiency solar panels.
These indicators can provide insights into the advancement of the identified targets and the overall progress towards achieving the related SDGs.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Percentage increase in the share of solar energy in the global energy mix |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Inclusion of climate change measures in national energy policies and strategies |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: marketwatch.com
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