Solar panels generate energy even when it's cloudy, but they are most efficient in direct sunlight.
The sun is an accessible and clean source of energy, and solar panels help us turn its light into electricity that powers our homes. However, there are many misconceptions about these devices, and one of them is that they don't work without direct sunlight.
“A panel always works. The only question is how much electricity it produces based on the amount of light available,” says James Fenton, director of the Florida Solar Energy Center. He adds that this means panels produce electricity even at night, as long as there is at least a little ambient light (street lights, a full moon and so on). At that time of day production is close to zero, but not zero.
But what happens when it's cloudy or raining? Let's see.
How much electricity solar panels produce when it's cloudy
Solar panels produce electricity as long as there is light for them to absorb. This means production continues when it's cloudy, when it rains and without direct sunlight, though of course not as efficiently as in ideal conditions.
“Even when it's cloudy or raining, you will get some electricity,” says Fenton. “When it's really overcast, solar panels will produce about half the electricity you would get on a sunny day.”
Rain shouldn't worry you either. Solar panels are waterproof, and rain actually helps wash away accumulated dirt, so the panels work more efficiently when the weather clears up.
How to get electricity at night with solar panels
As Fenton says, production at night drops close to zero, which raises the question of how to get electricity at night if you install solar panels. There is a way.
One option is a battery. Surplus electricity that the household doesn't use charges the battery, which then supplies the household during periods of low production. Unfortunately, batteries of this kind are very expensive and can cost as much as the panels themselves, depending on type and capacity.
However, if the household was connected to the grid before installation, those who choose solar panels don't have to disconnect. As a prosumer, the household covers its needs from the panels during the day and draws electricity from the grid at night, without having to buy a battery.
If you're thinking about solar panels, take a look at our solar power plant packages and find out which one suits your home.
Source: smartlife.mondo.rs (in Serbian)
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