Australia experiences sunshine almost throughout the year. Homeowners are now inclining more toward clean-sourced energy - solar, rather than using an off-grid system. The reasons are obvious - you get to save thousands on your electricity bill while saving the environment. The best part about installing solar panels in Australia is that the country experiences the most powerful sun rays, even on cloudy days. Most residents and commercial business owners in Australia enjoy warmer temperatures and sunny days in colder months than anywhere else in the world, making the country the best location to install solar power systems. However, experiencing100% sunshine every day is uncertain with changing weather conditions and inevitable cloudy days. But do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Let's first understand
Is Solar Power Right For You?
In recent years, the solar industry has experienced an evident surge in manufacturing and selling solar panels. According to research, 21% of homeowners in Australia have installed solar PV panels on their rooftops, and the numbers are increasing each day. If you want to install a solar power system in your home, you might want to understand its energy production capacity. However, the energy production capacity of your solar panel system will depend on various factors. To name some:
● The size of your system
● Location
● Roof orientation
● Shading
● Daylight hours
● Sunlight
● Weather condition
When it comes to solar systems, sunlight plays a pivotal role in producing optimal energy. The sunshine hours at your location will determine the size of the solar power system needed and how much energy it will produce. Let's understand how weather conditions can affect the performance and energy generation of solar systems.
1. Cloudy Weather
Do solar panels work on cloudy days? To answer your question - Yes! Solar panels can function in grey weather conditions but not efficiently. Cloudy weather will reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your solar panels, affecting their energy production and performance. A solar PV system can generate around 25% to45% of the energy on a cloudy day. However, tier-one quality solar panels can absorb ample sunlight, thus working better and efficiently on cloudy days.
2. Fog
The condition and type of fog in your location can determine your solar panel's performance and energy production. Most solar panels can work at 50% efficiency during foggy conditions. If the fog or mist rolls of the sea into your area from mid-morning to late afternoon, then your solar panel can rack up energy at an increased rate. The primary reason is that solar panels can be more efficient at cooler temperatures than hotter ones.
3. Rain
Do solar panels work in the rain? To a certain extent, yes. Your solar panel can generate energy in the rain but will not work efficiently. The reason is that solar panels require an ample amount of sunlight to produce energy. During rainy conditions, your solar panels will generate energy at a lower rate than during daylight hours. Most solar power systems can only generate approx 10% to 25% energy of their actual capacity rate.
Suppose you are considering installing a solar PV system. In that case, you need to understand that losing a few KWH on a cloudy day or other weather conditions will not affect its overall performance and energy production. You will still be able to enjoy clean-sourced energy for the rest of the year.
At Limitless Energy, we help residents and commercial business owners save thousands on their utility bills by installing tier-one quality solar panels in Melbourne. Our solar installers provide expert advice on solar system installation and other solar queries. To discuss your solar needs, talk to one of our professional solar installers at 1300 616 111 today.
Solar energy reduces your reliance on grid energy, providing you with significant cost savings and emissions reductions. The ROI from solar is compelling. Talk to us today about your business case and we'll provide you with energy solutions that make a difference.
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