Solar panels produce energy from solar radiation. But its efficiency and capacity depend on weather events. We tell you to what extent each of them affects the production of photovoltaic energy.
We all know that solar panels take advantage of solar radiation to produce electrical energy. But, do they need direct sunlight or do they also work when it’s cloudy? And when it rains? Can hail break solar panels? We are going to answer these and other questions that will surely intrigue you.
How the weather affects solar panels
There are several meteorological phenomena that affect the production of a photovoltaic installation. But not all of them are negative, some are even beneficial and allow to increase production. We tell you all about them.
«Manufacturers must guarantee hail impacts of up to 80 km/h»
intense heat
Although there is a belief that the summer months are the most favorable for the production of solar energy, the truth is that everything depends on the ambient temperature. In fact, too much heat affects the voltage and reduces the efficiency of solar panels.
According to manufacturers, the ideal ambient temperature for a solar panel is between 20 and 25 ºC. And everything that goes above 30 ºC implies performance losses of 10% or more.
In addition, the place of placement of the solar panels also influences. Generally, these are located on rooftops, which build up even more heat and affect the final performance. For this reason, it is always advisable to place the panels on a structure that allows a free space to be created through which the air can circulate and reduce the temperature a little.
In any case, the greater number of hours of sunshine in the summer compensates for this loss, so the months with the highest net production are usually June, July and August.
the cloudy skies
It is not true that solar panels need direct sunlight to generate power, so on cloudy days good panels will continue to produce a good amount of electricity thanks to the diffuse light that filters through the clouds.
However, it is obvious that clouds and/or shadows greatly affect total production. Everything will depend on the opacity of the clouds and if they are interspersed with clear skies, but the production can fluctuate between a quarter and a half than it would on a clear day.
rain and dirt
We have already told you in another article how dirt affects solar panels. And it is that everything that is to deposit Solid waste on photovoltaic cells will reduce the absorption capacity of solar radiation and, therefore, effectiveness.
But rain, which does not affect a solar panel at all from the point of view of its integrity, can even be beneficial if intense enough to cleanse the panel surface. This gradually accumulates dust, sand, bird droppings, leaves, etc., and a good downpour can help reduce or eliminate all that.
Obviously, if we talk about a rain of mud, haze, etc., the effect will be just the opposite, since it will dirty the surface of the solar panel even more.
The wind and the snow
Does the wind affect the electricity production of solar panels? The truth is it is beneficial because it helps to reduce the temperature. And, unless a hurricane arrives in your area, you should not worry about its intensity because if your panels have been correctly installed they will resist without problems.
![Intense heat, rain, clouds, hail: this is how the weather affects solar panels Intense heat, rain, clouds, hail: this is how the weather affects solar panels](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/09/asi-afecta-meteorologia-placas-solares-202289600-1662463106_3.jpg)
Another issue is that of the snow, which obviously completely disables the production of solar energy as if it were the night. The accumulated snow creates a layer that makes it impossible to absorb light. That is why, after a snowfall, it is advisable to clean the panels so that they can produce electricity again.
Thunderstorms and hail
In order to protect photovoltaic installations, these grounded to shunt voltage and properly manage the overvoltage. Therefore, a properly installed photovoltaic installation is unlikely to be damaged by lightning.
As for hail, there should be no problem as long as it is not excessively intense, since manufacturers must guarantee hail impacts up to 80 km/h.
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