Solar energy is at the leading edge of the global push toward the use of renewable energy. Scientists and technology manufacturers have devised ways to harness the sun’s energy to power the home, and its benefits are encouraging homeowners everywhere to make the switch. This change is evident in the latest statistics about the installation of solar systems in Australian homes. Recent numbers demonstrate that up to 9.9% of the electricity used in Australian homes is derived from solar, a net increase from 6.5% and a reflection of the more than 20 million solar panels in use today.
However, despite their increasing popularity, you must consider the care of solar panels. The nature of their design and function means that they remain exposed to the elements throughout their installation and afterwards. This means that despite Australia’s temperate climate, which allows solar system owners to take full advantage of the technology, solar panels are exposed to extreme heat, wind, and rainfall. These environmental circumstances can have a significant impact on solar panel performance. Hence understanding these effects is crucial in order to mitigate them.
Here’s how wind and rain will affect your solar panels.
Temperature
Very often, outdoor temperatures get equated to more sunlight. And in the case of solar panels, more sunlight is a good thing, right? However, this correlation is incorrect. You won’t produce more solar energy because it is hotter outside. In fact, the opposite is true. While brighter sunlight is beneficial for more solar power generation, higher temperatures aren’t. The majority of solar panels in use within the country today are designed for optimal operation at around 25 degrees Celsius on days when the skies are clear.
Your solar panels have an efficiency guideline known as a temperature coefficient. This number illustrates the percentage performance loss the panels experience with every one-degree temperature increment above 25. For most devices, this number ranges between 0.20 and 0.50- thus not so large as to cause a significant drop in production.
So, as an example, if the outside temperature is 30 degrees Celsius, your temperature coefficient will be 1% to 2.5%. Hence these percentages indicate the levels by which your production levels will drop.
Cloudy Conditions
Since solar power production relies on a supply of energy from the sun, cloud cover can significantly affect how your solar system performs. This relationship results from the clouds hindering the sunlight’s path to your solar panels. As a result, they limit your levels of solar energy production. Thus, for example, you can expect to lose about 25% efficiency on days with thick and mostly stationary cloud cover.
Therefore, when there are cloudy conditions, the best production outcomes occur when it is also windy. This is because the wind moves the clouds, thus increasing the likelihood of periodic bursts of sunlight shining between cloud clusters. This scenario reduces your potential efficiency loss to only 10%. But only if the wind significantly increases the amount of direct sunlight that reaches your panels.
If you want to maintain optimum solar system performance even on cloudy days, you can opt for panels with excellent low-light performance instead of the standard type.
Rain
There is no rain without clouds. And the higher the rainfall amounts, the thicker the cloud cover is likely to be.
Consequently, periods of rain will likely adversely affect your solar panel performance. On the other hand, there may be sun showers- where there is some rain even while the sun is shining. This scenario is the best alternative with regard to rain and solar energy production as it allows necessary sunlight to reach your solar panels.
Conversely, while rain may affect your output, its effects are not all adverse. For example, regular rainfall can be perfect for solar panel cleaning. It helps wash away dust, debris and other grime that may accumulate on your panels and bring down their performance. Therefore, in this regard, rain exposure is a win-win.
Wind
Fortunately, with the presence of direct sunlight, the wind should not affect the performance of your solar panels. Therefore, you can still expect to observe a high yield in sunny yet windy conditions.
However, while the wind will not reduce performance, it can still have a more long-term effect on your solar panels. This is evident in the dust and other debris that the wind blows onto the solar panels. These deposits will make more frequent cleaning necessary to maintain optimum efficiency.
Moreover, if you reside in a region with a windy climate, you must ensure that only a qualified professional executes your solar panel installation. This precaution accounts for the fact that some solar panels require mounting to lie at an optimal angle for efficient production. Therefore, the mounting frames and panels are liable to be damaged by strong winds if the installation is not correctly carried out.
What Are The Best Conditions For Solar Panels?
Now that you are aware of how temperature, rain, wind and clouds affect your solar system’s performance, you must become aware of the best conditions for solar panels.
Without a doubt, the most optimal conditions for solar energy are during periods of clear skies with no cloud cover and bright sunshine. Obviously, this description depicts that your solar panels will work at peak capacity in the summer. Thus you draw the most benefits from your solar system
1. In the summer and
2. During the day, between 10 am and 4 pm.
But, with long summer days, this period may extend by an hour or two.
On the other hand, panels with better low light performance capabilities allow energy production to begin earlier in the day and extend later into the afternoon. Hence installing panels with these features enables you to increase your overall yield in the time you use the system.
So, it is essential to consider your environment carefully before installing a solar panel roof. You may consult a local solar panel system expert to gain insight into the best solar panels for your home and climatic conditions.