How efficient are solar panels in Hawaii?
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters, and ample sunshine, making it a perfect location for generating solar power. Due to the island’s abundant sunshine and high electricity rates, solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in Hawaii. While many residents on the island are going green, the question is how efficient are solar panels in Hawaii?
How Efficient Are Solar Panels In Hawaii?
Let’s find out how efficient solar panels are in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s solar resource
How efficient are solar panels in Hawaii? With an average of 5.5 peak sun hours each day, Hawaii’s geographic location makes it one of the best locations in the United States for solar panel installations. Peak sun hours are the number of hours each day when the sun shines brightly, which is usually between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The state’s latitude, altitude, and trade winds also contribute to a rather consistent solar resource throughout the year.
Solar panel efficiency in Hawaii
The percentage of sunlight converted to useful power is referred to as solar panel efficiency. A solar panel’s efficiency varies depending on a number of parameters, including the type of solar panel, temperature, shade, and orientation. Solar panels in Hawaii can achieve efficiencies of 16% to 23%.
Because of its low cost and excellent efficiency, polycrystalline solar panels are the most often utilized form of solar panel in Hawaii. They have an efficiency of roughly 16% to 18% on average. Monocrystalline solar panels are slightly more expensive than polycrystalline panels. But they have a better efficiency rating of roughly 18% to 21%. With Hawaii’s sunny and mild climate, both types of solar panels function well.
Solar panels temperature
Temperature also has an impact on the efficiency of solar panels. Solar panels lose efficiency when they become too hot. Thankfully, Hawaii’s trade breezes provide natural cooling, allowing your solar panel to maintain efficiency even on the hottest days. Learn about tips for choosing a solar company in Hawaii.
Shading
Shading can also reduce the efficiency of solar panels. Even minor quantities of shade can dramatically reduce a solar panel’s performance. As a result, it is critical that you install solar panels in an area free of shadowing, such as a rooftop with no impediments. Discover key reasons to go solar in Hawaii.
Orientation
When it comes to solar panel efficiency, orientation is equally significant. In Hawaii, facing south or southwest is the best orientation for solar panels to optimize sunshine exposure.
How efficient are solar panels in Hawaii? Generally, solar panel efficiency in Hawaii is relatively high due to the state’s bright climate and perfect solar orientation. Solar panels should provide significant energy savings to homeowners and businesses all year.
Cost savings of solar panels in Hawaii
Hawaii has the highest electricity costs in the United States, with an average price of 34 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The national average is approximately 13 cents per kWh. With such high electricity bills, Hawaii homes and businesses can save much by installing solar panels.
In Hawaii, the average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $3.25 to $4.38 per watt. During the life of a solar panel system, the average homeowner can expect to save roughly $24,000. Savings for enterprises can be much greater, with many organizations seeing a return on investment within five years.
Solar panels can raise the value of a property in addition to saving money. According to research, homes with solar panels sell for more than homes without them. As a result, installing solar panels in Hawaii not only saves money but also adds value to a property.