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Assume that you have a 2 meter by 8 meter solar panel array on your house (typical for a residential installation), and it is inclined at the correct angle, equal to the local latitude, such that at noon on the equinox, the solar panel will be directly facing the sun and receiving maximum exposure to the sun. The maximum power per area from the sun is ∼1000 Watts /m² at sea level.

User Mppfiles
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Final answer:

This question pertains to the potential energy yield of a solar panel array when installed at the correct inclination angle, focusing on physics principles such as power density, efficiency, and insolation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the efficiency and energy yield of a solar panel array installed on a residential building, taking into consideration the proper inclination angle and the maximum power received from the sun at sea level. When a 2 meter by 8 meter solar panel array is inclined at the local latitude angle, at noon on the equinox it will be directly facing the sun and receive maximum exposure, assuming a power density of ~1000 Watts/m².

This scenario implies a potential power generation capacity based on the area of the solar panels and the efficiency of conversion of sunlight into electricity. The efficiency of the panels, energy requirements, and the average power production (insolation) of a location all play vital roles in determining how much energy a solar panel can deliver. For instance, a panel that is 16% efficient and receives 4.8 kWh/m²/day of solar energy, can be expected to yield a certain amount of electrical power given by multiplying the insolation with the panel's efficiency and area.

User Pyfork
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