Impact of the type, orientation, and temperature of solar panels on observed efficiency in Latvian climate conditions

Abstract

Abstract As solar panel technologies become more and more popular and are increasingly used in nearly zero-energy building solutions, one must make sure that the panels are able to achieve performance indicators similar to those determined by manufacturers under standard testing in real-world conditions. To determine the efficiency of poly- and monocrystalline panels, depending on their spatial orientation and other parameters, a set of test panels was installed in Riga, Latvia in 2018 for long-term monitoring of their power output. This article summarizes the results for the first two years. In the autumn of the second year of monitoring, temperature sensors were installed on the solar panels to study the effects of temperature on panel’s efficiency. The data show that the panel’s spatial positioning is a crucial element affecting the amount of energy produced, although the type of panels and climate conditions are also important.