What determines the kilowatt per hour output of a solar energy system?
The efficiency of the solar panels and the size of the system dictate the number of kilowatt hours produced. “Thick film” panels usually convert between 12-16% of the sun’s energy into electricity, and a 100 kilowatt system produces between 100,000 and 150,000 kilowatt hours per year depending on the solar radiation of the location. Other factors that influence the output are: weather (direct sunlight versus diffuse cloudy light), shading, the season, temperature of the panels (the hotter the panels the less efficient), and cleanliness of the panels.
