Find out whether solar panels work at night and if solar panels are worth it in 2019?
When it comes to making the most of your purchases, many people are keen to know the absolute limitations of what they are about to invest in. Solar panels, in particular, are often the source of intrigue when it comes to their effectiveness.
While many people understand that solar panels transform photons into electricity, it may have crossed your mind to wonder whether this process is possible at night time, or under limited light.
Can I make solar energy at night?
The answer, simply put, is no. Unfortunately, your solar panels do need the sun’s energy in order to work. The first part of the process is using photovoltaic cells to change photons into electricity, and this cannot be achieved in pitch black darkness. This means that as soon as the sun comes up, your solar panels will immediately get back to work, and your panels will be using their solar PV inverter to translate the direct current from the solar panels into alternating current for the grid.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
The truth is that solar panels are less effective when the weather is overcast. Solar on cloudy days is, however, not impossible. You may have heard plenty of critics claiming that solar energy just isn’t possible when the sun is hidden behind the clouds. This, however, is a false claim.
There is a difference between being slightly less effective, and ceasing to work altogther. It’s true that you will make the most of your panels on a hot, sunny day, but that doesn’t mean your investment will be wasted when the rain appears.
Other considerations
To make the most of your solar panels, you will need to ensure that your roof is exposed to the elements as much as it can be. Therefore, it will need to be free of shadow, or anything that blocks it from the sun’s rays. For example, if you are considering making an investment in solar panels, it’s a good idea to assess your property for anything that could restrict the access to light. A home that is surrounded by tall trees, for example, could have a significant effect on how much sunlight the solar panels receive. A chimney stack, too, could even cast a shadow on the solar panel.
Is it still worth it?
If your roof is free of shadows, and you would like to earn electricity, courtesy of Mother Nature, then of course the investment will be worth it for you. When you contact your supplier, you will most likely have a structural survey – whereby an expert will assess where best to place the solar panels. Even though your solar panels won’t work in the night time, they will still spend the day absorbing photons from the sun’s light.
Solar panels, by their nature, won’t be able to succeed in dark environments. This does not, however, mean that they won’t be effective in cloudy weather. By placing your panels in a clear and open environment, you can start to run your home using natural elements.
