Solar panels will still function in bad weather such as rain and snow, although their efficiency will understandably be reduced.

This means that solar scotland is far from a seasonal energy source and you can enjoy year round clean energy completely free following installation.

How do solar panels cope with bad weather?

Given that over their lifetime, solar panels will be exposed to all forms of different weather conditions, manufacturers design their panels specifically to deal with them.

When looking for a solar panel installer make sure that the products they provide are water-proof, corrosion-proof, and dust-proof to ensure maximum performance for decades to come.

You should also check that the panels come with a warranty of at least 25 years.

What is the impact of different weather conditions on solar panel performance?

Of all weather conditions cloud is by far the one which will impact on the efficiency of your solar panels the most.

Your solar panels will still generate some amount of energy when under cloud cover but significantly less than when in direct sunlight, operating at around 10-25% of clear day productivity.

When designing their solar panels, however, cloud is only one weather state that needs to be considered by manufacturers.

Rain

Solar panel electricity production when it is raining will depend more upon the nature of the rain clouds than the rain itself and you can generally expect similar efficiency to that of an overcast day.

However, rain can actually be quite beneficial to solar panel owners as it can wash away any dirt and debris that has built up over time.

This means that once the rain has subsided and the clouds cleared away, your solar panels could end up being even more efficient than they were previously.

Snow

If snow accumulates on top of your solar panels, electricity production will stop as light is unable to reach the solar cells.

Luckily though, snow will do no damage to your solar panels, and they will return to a fully operational state once the snow melts away.

Often, the warm electrical components within solar panels mean that snow does not settle, so unless a significant amount falls in a short period your solar panels will remain working.

 

Extreme Cold

There is a common misconception that solar panels work better in the warmer months of summer, but this is not always the case as cold weather is actually ideal for maximum performance of the components within.

The key element of a solar panel’s operation is light, not heat, so for those in a cold climate who may have dismissed solar panels as a viable option, it is time to reconsider.

In fact, you should be more concerned if you live in a climate that gets extremely warm as the moment that the outside temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius, the panels will begin to lose their efficiency.

Why is installation so important to solar panels withstanding bad weather?

With the correct installation, your solar panels will be more than capable of surviving and producing electricity in all forms of extreme weather.

However, with so many companies now offering solar panel installation in the UK, it is not always easy to go about finding yourself the best installer to do this.

Before proceeding with any installation, make sure to check the credentials, online reviews, and previous customer accounts of the services offered by the company in question.

You should also look for a company that offers the longest possible warranty so that if something does go wrong as a result of bad weather, or for any other reason, you will be able to have it fixed without additional costs.

Is it worth it?

With so many different weather conditions impacting on the operation of solar panels are they really worth the effort?

Well, if you listen to financial advisors and customers who already have solar panels installed – ABSOLUTELY!

Solar panels are one of the best investments you can make for the future, helping you do your bit to help save the planet, whilst immediately slashing your energy bills and protecting you against any future price hikes.

For those looking to go completely off-grid with their energy production, significant investment in solar panels really is a must, but even if you are just looking to take some of the pressure off your monthly energy bills and live a cleaner lifestyle a few carefully positioned panels can make all the difference.

There are many benefits to solar panel ownership that you can enjoy from the moment of installation right up until you decide to move on with solar panel installation proven to increase the price of property, with valuers and potential buyers both seeing the benefits of their presence.