For homeowners seeking to convert their home to a solar house, one of the key choices is whether to go with an SMA ShadeFix or Solar Edge system. 

Both of these products can deliver good solar coverage in a variety of applications, and a comparison of these two can help you make that decision. However, you may find yourself wondering which one will work best for your needs. 

Here are some details about these systems and which one you should choose between SMA and Solar Edge.

But firstly, how does a shade fix work?

If you have a large number of trees on your land. You might assume that all this makes installing solar panels unfeasible.

Will your trees’ shade prevent the photovoltaic power from generating power? Would the trees’ twigs as well as foliage harm your photovoltaic power? Now, we’re going to clear up any confusion regarding if photovoltaic arrays will work if you have got a large number of trees in your yard.

Trees And Photovoltaic (Solar) arrays Might Not Get Along

Whenever your photovoltaics are directly exposed to sunshine, they perform best. Preferably, your photovoltaic cells should be installed in a location that receives the most sunshine all through the daytime, from sunup to sundown.

Trees plus photovoltaic arrays did not mix, which is sad for some households. Trees can prevent sunlight from reaching your solar panels, reducing their effectiveness and power generation significantly.

The great news is that you don’t have to clear the land to start utilizing solar panels. That is because this is where the shade fix comes up. 

Why SMA ShadeFix Is Better Than the Solar Edge?

The main claim to fame about the SMA Shade Fix is its ability to work with standard flat-panel panels and to have a nearly unlimited number of panels installed if needed. 

This is accomplished by incorporating lenses into the cells that focus the sun’s rays into smaller droplets that can be collected with a specialized collection device. 

These droplets then become water, which can be used for various different things including powering outdoor appliances, heating water in a hot tub or other outdoor location, or as part of a more permanent plumbing installation.

 Additionally, unlike the Solar Edge system, the SMA system does not require the use of specialized plumbing because the lenses collect the sun-powered energy and direct it into the house.

Cost-Effectiveness

In addition to the large number of features that the SMA system offers, however, it is also one of the most cost-effective. While the cost of installing the SMA Shade Fix system might be slightly higher than the equivalent Solar Edge system, the cost of installing the SMA system on-grid is about half a dollar per watt. 

The Solar Edge system, on the other hand, can be installed for about two-thirds of a dollar per watt. It also allows the homeowner to eliminate the installation of photovoltaic panels by using just one meter of copper wire to supply all of the electrical needs of the home. 

The biggest drawback of the SMA system, however, is that it only works in daylight hours, so it cannot be used during the night hours. 

Also, it only has one meter of copper wire in place, while the solar panels that use photovoltaic cells can have up to ten meters of copper wire connected to them.

Filters

There are also differences between the SMA ShadeFix vs. Solar Edge. The SMA system only filters out reflected light, which means it does nothing to block the sunlight from penetrating the glass. 

The Solar Edge includes an active filter that can block some of the harmful UV rays. Additionally, it includes light diffusers around the perimeter of the glass that will allow some light to penetrate the shade, while the SMA does not. This is important for two reasons.

• First, it means that the SMA system is more effective at filtering out the UV rays before they reach the surface of the glass. This can drastically reduce the amount of damage that occurs after only a few days of use. 
• The second difference is that it means that the SMA solar panel is better able to trap light at the surface of the glass, resulting in less energy being wasted at night. The solar panels at night are typically used to transfer the energy produced by the sun over long distances, such as to power a laptop. The diffused light then powers an electric current that can be used to charge a battery at night.

The Solar Edge works in a different way. It works by filtering just the ultraviolet light that reaches the panels. It includes an active filter that actively blocks some of the harmful UV rays. 

Additionally, it includes light diffusers that allow some light to pass through to the outside of the home. This is important because it allows the homeowner to benefit from both passive and active solar energy.

Energy Efficiency

Both of these systems work great at reducing the number of UV rays that reach the solar panels and the homeowner’s home. However, there are other benefits that make using the SMA system is more desirable. 

For one thing, it allows for greater energy efficiency. Since the light does not have to travel as far, it requires less energy to make it to the photovoltaic panels. 

This allows the homeowner to save money on his or her electricity bill while also enjoying more energy efficiency than the Solar Edge can offer.

The Ultimate Factor

The final factor to consider when comparing the SMA ShadeFix vs. solar-edge systems is safety. Both of these systems come with security measures that include obstruction seals and tamper-evident covers. 

This means that while the Solar Edge may offer the best overall appearance, the SMA ShadeFix has the safety features to protect the homeowner from unwanted penetration. This is one area in which both systems shine.

Conclusion

Finally, Greenlight Solar has worked with various ranges of properties, even those covered by forests. They understand how to increase the effectiveness of your photovoltaic arrays. They are likely to be equipped to tell you whether you should take trees down, prune them, or keep them alone.