Do solar panels work in winter and on cloudy days?
Do solar panels work in winter and on cloudy days? It’s certainly the query that people who want to use solar energy ask the most. Solar panels are made to produce electricity in any weather conditions, though the amount produced will vary depending on the density of the clouds.
One of the most common myths about solar panels is that they cannot produce energy in the winter or when it is gloomy outside. This is definitely a myth as solar panels operate on light rather than heat.
Even on a typical British cloudy, grey day, there is still more than enough daylight to make solar panels a viable option for UK energy consumers, even though it is undoubtedly true that the best electrical production will occur in bright, sunny weather.
Will I lose a lot of solar power in the winter?
In the UK, we have a lot of days with cloud cover, however, solar panels continue to function on cloudy days. The sun rises and sets later in the winter, making for dark mornings and shorter nights. Shorter daylight hours do translate to lower generation levels of power than they would in the summer. Production can be reduced by up to 50% on days with modest cloud cover, and by as low as 10% on days with heavy cloud cover. However, the energy produced will still be sufficient to meet the needs of the ordinary household.
Read more about the myths surrounding solar panels.
How do Solar Panels generate energy?
Each solar panel is constructed of solar PV cells, also known as solar photovoltaic cells, which are typically silicon-based and produce electricity from daylight rather than heat or sunshine. When light strikes them, it causes electron-containing particles to travel, generating electricity. As a result, solar PV panels can only produce electricity during the day.
As solar PV cells react to light, greater sunshine often translates into more electricity. When the sun is at its highest in the sky around noon and on a sunny day, your solar panels will typically receive the maximum light. But even a dreary winter afternoon’s low light releases enough energy to generate electricity.
How many solar panels will my home need?
Your solar panels will be able to provide more electricity for your home the more you have installed. Your energy usage, the number of occupants in your home, and the size of your property will determine how many solar panels you need. A 4kW system can meet higher demand, but that would require 25+ square metres of space on your roof. Smaller homes might need a 1kW system, which requires roof space for 8+ square metres of solar panels.
| Solar system size | Roof space needed (in square meters) |
|---|---|
| 1kW | 8+ |
| 2kw | 12+ |
| 3kw | 20+ |
| 4kw | 25+ |
Do I have enough space for Solar Panels?
Space is an important factor. The standard system size is about 4.2kWp, which normally occupies about 25m2 of roof space.
The best roof is one that faces south and is not shaded for maximum power production. North-facing roofs are not advised, although east or west-facing roofs could still be taken into consideration. Around 15–20% less energy will be produced by a system facing East or West than by one looking directly south.
Shaded roofs
Any neighbouring structures, trees, or chimneys may shade your roof and harm the efficiency of your system.
Finding a position without any shade is ideal, although it’s not always possible to do so. Utilizing “optimisers,” certain solar PV systems may reduce the effects of shade. Other than the increased monitoring options they provide, using optimisers is neither necessary nor advantageous if you don’t have shading because they don’t produce more energy.
Do I need permission to install a solar PV system?
As “permitted developments,” solar PV systems frequently don’t need planning approval. However, there are exceptions, so it’s advisable to seek advice from your neighbourhood planning office. Additional limitations can be in place if you reside in a listed structure, conservation area, or national park.
You must register your solar PV system with your distribution network operator if you intend to install one in your house (DNO). The DNO is the organisation in charge of supplying power to your house. The device will typically be registered for you by your installer.
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Do Solar Panels work in the snow?
Fortunately, even when covered with snow, solar panels can still produce electricity since sunlight can still reach them. This guarantees that the solar panels’ PV cells are still generating power.
Snowfall is melted by the solar panels reflecting the black glass before it causes a problem or degrades panel performance. The typical tilt of solar panels, which ranges from 30 to 45 degrees, also prevents excessive snow accumulation.
The moral of the story is solar panels work in winter
If you are still unsure about solar panels head over to our guides section where you can find advice and further information that might help sway your decision.
