
<p>Solar panels perform their very best when they’re receiving direct, unobstructed sunlight. Even small amounts of shading from trees, nearby buildings, or debris can significantly reduce energy production throughout your system. What can you do to prevent drastic reductions in productivity caused by shading? Keep reading to find out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Understanding the Impact of Shading</strong></h2>



<p>First off, it’s important to understand that shading doesn’t just reduce the amount of light reaching one part of one solar panel. It actually can impact the performance of the entire string of solar panels. Traditional solar arrays are wired in series, which means the output of the whole string can drop to the level of the most shaded panel. This makes it especially important to identify and address potential shading issues during design and installation, while also taking certain maintenance steps to prevent shading going forward.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Choosing the Right Location</strong></h2>



<p>The first step in minimizing shading losses is choosing the best possible spot for your panels. Ideally, panels should be installed on the part of your roof with full sun exposure for most of the day. Professional installers use tools like solar pathfinders and shading analysis software to identify any obstacles that would cast shadows at different times of the day and the year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trim Trees and Remove Obstructions</strong></h2>



<p>Trees are one of the most common sources of shading, and their yearly growth can increase panel shading over time. You should regularly trim back branches that shadow your panels to help maintain optimal sunlight exposure. Similarly, move any obstructions like antennas and other rooftop equipment so they don’t obstruct the panels. Keep the panels clear of debris too, like leaves or bird droppings, to maintain higher efficiency.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Use Microinverters or Power Optimizers</strong></h2>



<p>Modern solar technology offers solutions to minimize the effects of partial shading. Microinverters and power optimizers allow each panel to operate independently so shading on one panel won’t impact the rest of the system. That way, if shading does still occur on part of a panel, that one panel’s efficiency losses won’t be passed along to the rest of the string. This not only reduces efficiency losses, but can also allow you to monitor your system at the panel level so you can identify and address issues more quickly.</p>



<p>By following these tips, you can minimize the impact of shading on your <a href="https://powerstore.com/brands/phono-solar.html"><strong>Phono solar panels</strong></a> and help keep them operating at peak efficiency, so you get more power out of your solar investment.</p>

Minimizing Efficiency Losses from Shading on Your Solar Panels
