Solar Panel Efficiency In Winter

Visual comparison of solar panel production in the winter spring and summer.

Solar panel efficiency in winter.

If you re wondering how to get the most out of your solar panels in the winter just follow these tips and you ll soon be producing as much sustainable power as possible install solar panels at a higher angle. 10 the important thing to remember is that cloudy locations are still a good match for a solar energy system. Factors that affect solar panel efficiency. Although at first blush it may seem that solar power is ideal for the summer solar panels actually produce useful power throughout all four seasons including when they re covered in snow.

Solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010. And again this is the case. Cold climates are actually optimal for solar panel efficiency. But yes solar panels do drop production by about 10 20 of the solar panel efficiency rating.

Winter is here and many parts of the country have already seen snow. A blue sky winter s day can see some amazing levels of power produced on an hourly basis compared with summer. Thus even in winter months if sunlight is hitting a solar panel it will generate electricity. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range.

Contrary to what some may think heat actually diminishes solar panel electricity production. Research has demonstrated that panels begin losing efficiency around 77ºf. The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency. So winter solar power is not an oxymoron.

If the coefficient is closer to zero it means that the panel loses less efficiency compared to one that has a larger negative number listed. Solar panel efficiency during the winter. Cooler weather is the friend of solar as panels become more efficient in turning the sun s rays into electricity. Solar panels also do quite well in the winter.

We looked at a typical viesmann solar thermal system and they suggest that solar thermal should provide about 60 of your hot water needs as an annual average with about 90 during the height of summer and about 25 during the winter. A bigger tilt will help your panels generate more energy when the sun is lower. Winter solar power is still viable.