You’re getting a solar panel system for your house. And you’re wondering: what if it rains? Or snows? A lot of the work you do is out in the elements, after all—can you still use it?
Whether or not rainy weather or any kind of bad weather will affect your solar panel system depends on a lot of factors. Read on to see what they are and what you can do to change the behavior of your solar panels on a rainy day.
Rainy Days
Rain is likely to have the biggest influence on the performance of a solar panel system. On days with full sun and clear skies, solar panels will generate electricity efficiently. It can help you save money on your energy bills.
However, when it rains, solar panels won’t generate as much energy. Rainy weather reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the solar cells. This means less energy is being produced.
What’s more, any moisture on the panels from a light rain will cause some of the light energy to be reflected away from the solar cells. This further lowers the amount of energy produced by the solar system, making it less efficient.
One of the primary advantages of the rainy season for solar panels is that the moisture that comes with the rain can actually help keep the panels running more efficiently.
Light rain can actually act as an effective cleaning agent. The accumulated dust, dirt, and other debris that usually accumulates on the panels can be washed away. This ensures maximum power conversion.
How to Maintain Solar Performance During Rainy Days
To maintain your system’s performance, it is important to look at ways to reduce its footprint and improve the efficiency of your system. This may include investing in a battery storage system and/or utilizing solar maximization technology to harvest more of the sunlight when it is available.
It is also important to protect the system from hail and other forms of weather damage in order to maximize its performance over the long term. Finally, it is essential to ensure that the system is properly maintained throughout its lifespan. This ensures optimal efficiency levels during all weather conditions.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can have a serious impact on the performance of a solar panel system. During a thunderstorm, clouds may block the sun, leading to a reduced amount of energy being produced by your solar panel system. This blocked sunlight can result in a reduction in power output by as much as fifty percent.
Additionally, thunderstorms can bring strong winds, hail, or heavy downpours, which can physically damage the solar panels. Heavy winds or a fallen tree branch can crack or break the solar panel or its support structures.
Similarly, hail can cause significant damage to solar panels. This renders them useless and requires their repair or replacement. Ultimately, it is important to keep close tabs on the weather.
How to Maintain Solar Performance During Stormy Days
During storm season, it is important to have preventative measures in place. This is to ensure the longevity and performance of your system. During times of excess rain, snow, and ice, solar panels can become less efficient as the precipitation obstructs the direct rays of the sun.
To help protect your system, keep the panels clean during storm season, as debris and dust can further obstruct the sun’s rays. Make sure to securely fasten down the panel system to help prevent damage from heavy winds and storms. Working with the best local solar company can ensure that your system is built to withstand the effects of nature.
They can also provide knowledge and advice on maintenance and repairs. Though the weather can affect your system, being proactive and taking the necessary steps to ensure its longevity will help protect your system during storm season.
Winter
Snow and ice can have a significant effect on the performance of a solar panel system. When temperatures drop, solar panel efficiency is severely impacted. Typically, the output is reduced by almost half compared to its normal rate.
In addition, snow can drastically reduce the amount of power a panel can generate as the white reflects the light away from the panel. Likewise, ice can form on the surface of the panel. This inhibits electricity generation as well as causes permanent damage to the panel itself.
How to Maintain the Efficiency of Solar Panels During the Winter
In order to increase solar panel efficiency during the winter, it is important to keep the panels clean and free of snow and debris. Additionally, installers should choose an angle for the panels that maximize exposure to sunlight. This makes sure that they are facing south and are unshaded.
Also, homeowners can make sure any cabling is well insulated to ensure better energy transfer. Proper care must be taken to ensure the longevity of a panel should snow and ice form on it. It is best to remove snow manually as soon as the weather conditions allow it.
Using anti-icing and anti-snow systems can reduce the effect of snow and ice on solar performance. Finally, to ensure a cut-in voltage so that the battery is charged in cold temperatures, the correct solar charge controller can be used. All of these steps ensure the solar panel system runs properly during the cold months of winter.
Cloudy Weather
Cloudy weather can have an effect on the performance of your solar panel system. When the sun is blocked by clouds, it reduces the amount of sunlight your solar panels will receive. Generally, a typical home solar system loses around 20–25 percent of its energy production efficiency when the sky is cloudy.
This doesn’t mean your solar panels completely stop working in cloudy conditions. Bright daylight can still provide a source of power even when cloud cover is present. However, it does mean you will generate less energy. You may need to compensate with an alternative energy source during the times when clouds cover the sun.
How to Optimize Solar Panel Systems During Cloudy Days
To maximize your system’s performance during cloudy days, you should focus on keeping your solar panels clean and free of debris throughout the year to maximize their efficiency. Additionally, you should consider installing a battery or other energy storage system.
This is to provide your solar panel system with a consistent energy supply, even when clouds or other weather conditions block the sun’s rays. Ultimately, a well-maintained, well-designed solar panel system can still produce an abundance of energy during cloudy days with the assistance of a battery or energy storage device.
Windy Season
The performance of any solar panel system can be greatly affected by the weather, particularly in the windy season. High wind speeds can often cause debris to accumulate on the solar panels, reducing their efficiency. As well as this, wind can knock branches, tree limbs, and other objects onto the panels.
These obstructions can block sunlight from reaching the cells. It is reducing their performance and possibly damaging the system. Wind can also cause vibrations, weakening the structure of the panels and their frames and making them more vulnerable to weather damage.
How to Maintain the Efficiency of Solar Panels During Windy Days
On windy days, there is little to do other than keep tabs on your system. Check your current solar panel system performance and make sure that the mounting system is secure and there are no obstructions to the solar shingles and panels. Monitor the safety of your wiring and observe any changes that may happen in the system.
The best way to protect your system from the damaging effects of wind is to keep your panels free of dirt. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure your solar panel system continues to perform efficiently, even during the windy season.
Make sure to remove any debris, ice, or dirt on the surface of the system. Don’t forget to look for any disconnected components that may affect performance. By taking the time to ensure your system is in working order, you can ensure your system produces power effectively and generates the most energy on windy days.
Ensure the Best Performance of Your Solar Panel System
The weather can potentially have a big impact on the performance of your solar panel system. It’s advised that you take preventative measures and focus on maintenance to ensure your solar panel system performs optimally.
You can contact a professional to ensure the right steps are taken to alleviate the risks associated with weather events.
