How effective are Solar Panels throughout the Winter?
There are many myths that surround solar panels and it is about time that one was busted forever! Many people believe that solar panels are far less effective during winter but this is far from the truth; winter is still a perfectly good time for transferring solar energy to be used in your home.
It can, in fact, sometimes even be better than in the summer months due to a variety of factors. Although each situation can differ, there are a number of statements that can be applied to most cases.
How Solar Panels Work
Solar panels are made up of layers of semi-conducting material which, in a lot of cases, is silicon. An electric field is created over these layers when sunlight shines on the panel which is then transferred to the appliances in your home which need it. Any electricity that is not used by the home can be transferred back to the grid and sold at a small price to the government.
You can therefore actually earn money from your solar panels, and the more you have, the more you can earn. Solar modules can be purchased from solar panel companies such as SolarTech, who can offer panels for domestic, commercial and industrial properties.
Winter Works: Panels Use Light, Not Heat
During the summer, a lot of people think that more energy will be produced especially when the days are boiling hot. However, this is not necessarily true since panels feed off sunlight rather than the heat from the sun, and the efficiency of panels can actually be significantly reduced when the heat is scorching hot. This is because when the panels become extremely heated, they find it harder to turn the sun’s rays into electricity.
This means that cool temperatures are much better for the panels and, even though it may be a cold day, this in no way means that no electricity will be produced. The summer does have a clear advantage however as there are more hours of daylight than in the winter, but do not let this put you off from investing in the technology. Depending on your site’s climatic conditions you may find suitable panels for your site by looking at comparable technical specifications; a good indication is temperature coefficient at maximum power.
How Winter Can Actually Be Beneficial
The winter can produce some very unexpected results from your solar panels and seen as this is usually the time when the most electric is used, it can be highly beneficial to have them. Although the days are shorter, the conditions are often better and if you are surrounded by trees the winter can be a much better time to catch rays. With no leaves on the trees to block out the sun, your panels can absorb far more solar energy and produce a large amount of electricity each day.
After your solar panels have been installed, keep an eye on your meter. This will tell you exactly how much energy is being produced as well as many other details, and you will then be able to monitor the performance of the panels and see how the cool temperatures make a difference. This is also something that your children can be involved in and learn about the benefits of environmentally friendly energy resources; the whole family can therefore learn while you earn.
