Us Brisbane residents are a very fortunate group of people as we enjoy the sunshine for an average of 283 days out of the year. Not only does this give us year-round outdoor living and sun tans, but it is also a big tick for generating energy for our solar power systems.
It may not surprise you that Australia has the highest solar radiation generation per square meter than any other continent in the world. This is great news for those of us who are active in reducing our carbon emissions and energy consumption and even better news for those of us who have or are looking to install solar panels.
While our sunny days benefit our wallets, what happens when it is a cloudy or rainy day? Find out how solar panels work and why solar power storage is the ace up your sleeve.
Yes, Solar Panels Still Work On Cloudy Days
Solar panels are designed to work on both sunny and cloudy days. While solar panels work best in direct sunlight, they are still effective with indirect sunlight.
Think of a time you went to the beach on an overcast day, if you failed to apply sun cream, did you still get a sunburn? While the sun isn’t as strong as it is on a sunny day, the UV rays are still active.
This theory rings true for your solar panels as well. While direct sunlight is preferred, indirect sunlight can still create up to 80% of the energy produced on a sunny day.
The crucial element as to how well your solar power will perform on cloudy days directly relates to the quality of the panels you install.
High-quality solar panels perform better than low-quality panels especially when they need to work harder at collecting light and generating energy. Ensure you do your research before installing your solar panels to get the most out of your investment. While higher-quality solar panels may cost you more upfront, they pay for themselves time and time again. It is a wise investment.
Does Solar Hot Water Still Work On Cloudy Days?
The answer to this question is yes, solar hot water still works on cloudy days. Let’s take a deeper dive into how it still works.
Much the same as with solar panels, if you have a lot of overcast days in a row, there may be some concern about whether or not your solar hot water system is producing enough electricity to heat up your hot water tank. But don’t worry! As we have learned, solar panels cannot generate as much electricity when it’s cloudy out, but they can still produce up to 80% of the electricity produced on a sunny day even when it is cloudy.
If you are experiencing a long period of cloudy or rainy days, Solahart Solar Hot Water Systems have an inbuilt electric booster that will kick into gear to help make up for any deficit created by a lack of sun exposure. This happens automatically when your water temperature drops below a certain temperature. So never fear, you will still have hot water regardless if it is raining, hailing or the sun is shining!
How Much Sunlight Do Solar Panels Need?
Solar energy is a renewable resource, but it’s not always available. Solar panels need a certain amount of sunlight to produce energy, and if you live in an area that experiences a lot of cloudy days, your solar panels may not be able to keep up with your energy needs. This is when solar power storage comes into play.
How much is the ‘certain amount’ of sunshine that solar panels need?
According to the Environment and Energy Study Institute in the USA3, solar panels typically require 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day at peak performance levels-which means they’ll produce more power on days when it is bright and sunny than on days when it’s cloudy all day long. That said, indirect light such as reflected rays from clouds can still generate electricity from PV cells as long as they don’t block out direct rays completely.
Invest In Solar Power Storage
Solar power storage is a great way to maximize the benefits of solar power. Solar battery storage can be used to store the electricity generated during the day for use at night, or during rainy periods when there’s not enough sunlight to generate electricity.
Given the rebate for sending your excess energy back to the grid has dropped significantly, solar power storage is a smart investment. Your solar panels work hard for you so it is important to keep as much energy as possible at your disposal.
Solar Battery Storage For Your Home
Technology has gifted us with many things in the last decade and solar battery storage is one of them. Storing the energy you produce allows you to continue to live on solar power even after the sun has gone down. When the sun comes up, your solar panels produce energy and your battery storage is topped up for another day.
How long your solar battery will store your energy is dependent on a few important factors:
- how much energy do you use
- the size of your home
- how many people live in your home
- the storage capacity of your solar battery
Trust The Experts
Investing in a larger solar battery such as the Tesla Powerwall 2 with a 13.5kWh capacity might be the best option for your home. We at Solahart Brisbane are passionate about solar power, solar storage and reducing your bills with a solar hot water system. As no home is alike, we pride ourselves on providing a professional service where we work with you to find the best system for your unique needs and for your budget. Additionally, we offer solar finance as well as updated information on the rebates you be may eligible for.
Give us a call today to discuss your solar needs.