For decades, people have seen solar panels as the gold standard of green living. A solar panel system can help you generate your own electricity by converting sunlight to electricity with its PV system. This way, you can develop more energy independence and save money.
Many people believe that solar panels are a worthwhile investment for these reasons. However, they may wonder, “Do solar panels work on cloudy days?”
Cloudy weather can cause solar panels to work less efficiently. However, solar panels can continue to work in cloudy weather. We’ll explore how they do so in the guide below!
How Do Cloudy Days Impact Solar Energy Generation?
Have you ever gotten sunburnt on a cloudy day? If so, you probably know that UV rays can pass through cloud cover. Just as those UV rays can reach your skin, they can also reach solar panels.
What does this mean for your solar panel system? Simply put, cloudy days won’t stop your system from creating a solar panel charge.
However, they can make your system run less efficiently. At worst, your efficiency could drop 25% on cloudy days.
What Solar Panels Work in Cloudy Weather?
Not all solar panels are created equal. Some panels have more efficient designs that can make more solar energy on cloudy days. These solar panels are often ideal for areas with cloudy climates.
Another factor that can affect this efficiency is your solar cells. Some cells can capture a wider range of UV light. This contributes to the higher energy production you experience in different weather conditions.
How can you find these solar panels? It’s best to start by looking for solar installers in your area. Many of these providers may offer these higher-end solar panels.
What About Solar Panels at Night?
People also have questions about how solar panels work at night. After all, it makes sense that UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. But, what does your system do when the sun isn’t out at all?
Fortunately, your system can still generate energy at night. It does so by drawing on solar energy reflected from the moon.
However, like cloudy weather, nighttime makes your system less efficient. Most solar panels won’t generate enough power to make the system sufficient at night.
Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. When you purchase solar panel systems, you can buy solar panel batteries. These batteries can store the excess electricity you acquire earlier in the day.
Your system can draw electricity from this battery to keep your household running at night. This way, you won’t have to use county electricity during the evening.
Find the Best Solar Panel System for Cloudy Days
As you can see, solar panels can continue to help your house on cloudy days. They may lose some of their efficiency, but they can still help you remain energy independent.
You can lessen the impact of cloudy weather by getting a more efficient solar panel system. So, look for the best panels available in your area!
We hope you enjoyed this article! Solar energy is a hot topic that many people have questions about. So, check out our other content to find the information you need!