November 29, 2016 | By RGR Marketing Blog

Winter Weather and Solar Power Output

By now, most people who have any knowledge of how solar power and photovoltaic cells work understand that snow can adversely affect the power output of a solar system. This happens when the snow blocks some or all of the light that the cells need to generate power. Not as much is generally known regarding the effect that the cold weather, independent of the snow, can have on the power output of photovoltaic arrays.

This lack of knowledge in the general public can lead some potential customers to have concerns regarding a major dip in the power they can generate if they live in climates that experience prolonged periods of cold weather in winter. While the cold itself does have a measurable effect on the output of solar cells, this effect is generally negligible.

How the Temperature Affects Solar Power Generation

The ambient temperature affects how electricity flows through circuits by slowing or increasing the speed at which the electrons that we think of as electricity move through a circuit. The lower the temperature, the slower the electrons move.

But it isn’t just the cold that has adverse effects on solar power systems. Extremely hot temperatures also increase the resistance within electric circuits, impeding the flow of electrons.

Because of this, it is important for solar system designers and installers to understand how extreme temperatures may affect the systems they are installing.

Why Understanding the Effect of the Cold is Important

Understanding the potential the cold can have in hampering a solar power system’s ability to generate power is important for a variety of reasons. Understanding the response of a system to cold weather can help in designing the system to ensure that it produces enough power, even when conditions are at their worst.

It is also important to understand the potential effect of cold on a system for ensuring that equipment capacities and capabilities remain within safe limits, as well as to minimize waste during construction.

The Bottom Line With Winter and Solar

Solar power generating systems are more efficient in cold weather, but this increase in efficiency doesn’t mean an increase in power production. Solar power engineers must have a handle on the effect of temperature extremes specific to the area they are working in.

When engineers and designers understand the location’s drawbacks, they can design systems that utilize special equipment to counteract the weather, such as the correct inverters to ensure that the maximum voltage put out by the system is safe for the equipment, the client, and capable of covering their power needs when the mercury reaches its lowest.

No residential solar power system operates under ideal conditions, but with solid knowhow, systems can be engineered to work ideally regardless of adverse winter weather conditions.

Contact Us

Get started with free* leads.
Call us at 310-540-8900
Don’t take our word for it—find out for yourself how good our leads are and what a difference working with us can make.
Call us at 310-540-8900 or fill out the form below and we’ll tell you how you can get high quality leads for free*.
I authorize ReallyGreatRate, Inc. to communicate with me via email.
* Get up to 10% free leads on your first order!

Let's talk

Start making more money today

Mortgage

Solar

Home Improvement

  • I authorize ReallyGreatRate, Inc. to communicate with me via email.