A common question we get from our customers is if panels generate power in cloudy conditions.
Yes, they do, and here's how
What is Needed for Solar Panels to Generate Power?
The energy and light that we receive from the sun come as solar radiation. This is what's being captured by the panels to convert into energy, not heat.
Solar Radiation Penetrates Clouds
Have you ever been sunburned on a cloudy day? That's because solar radiation penetrates through cloud coverage. Panels don't require direct sunlight to produce energy, so expect your panels to still maintain 75-90% efficiency on cloudy/stormy days.
What Solar Panels Work Best for Cloudy Conditions?
High-Efficiency panels that contain monocrystalline cells
work best in cloudy conditions.
-High-Efficiency Panels: These panels generate more energy per square meter, requiring less overall area to generate.
-Monocrystalline Cells: The cells in solar panels are what absorb the sun's energy. Monocrystalline Cells work best on cloudy days due to being cut from a single source of silicon versus being cut from multiple sources, making the cells purer.
States With Snowy Seasons Vs. Solar
Putting the information above together means solar can still work for you if you live in an area with snowy seasons!
Refer to our blog "Does Solar Work in the Winter"
