Answer :
The new efficiency rating of the solar panel after an increase of 12% would be 20.16%.
If a solar panel has an efficiency rating of 18% and the manufacturer increases the efficiency by 12%, this means the new efficiency rating is calculated by adding 12% of the original efficiency to the original efficiency itself. To find the increased efficiency, multiply the original efficiency by the percentage increase (expressed as a decimal) and then add the result to the original efficiency:
Original efficiency = 18%
Percentage increase = 12%
Efficiency increase = (Original efficiency) imes (Percentage increase)
Efficiency increase = 0.18 imes 0.12 = 0.0216 or 2.16%
New efficiency rating = Original efficiency + Efficiency increase
New efficiency rating = 18% + 2.16% = 20.16%
Therefore, the new efficiency rating of the solar panel will be 20.16%.