Do {Solar Panels need|solar panels require|Solar Panels require} {heat or light|lighting or heat|either light or heat}?
Do {Solar Panels need|solar panels require|Solar Panels require} {heat or light|lighting or heat|either light or heat}?
{Are solar panels powered by|Do solar panel panels run on|Solar panels are powered either by} {heat or light|light or heat}? {It can be helpful|It is helpful|It’s a good idea} to {find out|learn|know} {more about solar panels and|the details about solar panels as well as|what solar panel technology is and} {how|the way} they {generate electricity if|produce electricity if|generate electricity when} {you are considering|you’re thinking of|you’re considering} {investing in|purchasing|buying} solar panels. It {can be difficult|isn’t easy|can be challenging} to {understand|comprehend} the {science behind|technology behind|process of} solar panels for {many people|a lot of people|those} who {don’t have a good|do not have a solid|don’t have an} {understanding|knowledge} {of the technology|about the science behind it|regarding the process}.
It’s {not clear whether|unclear if|not known if} the {sun’s light energy or heat|sun’s heat or light|sunlight’s energy from the sun’s light or heat} {generates|creates|produces} electricity {for|to power} your home. {Our quick guide to|This quick overview of|Our short guide to} solar panels{‘ energy| power| energy} sources will {help you understand|assist you in understanding|guide you through understanding} how they {work|function}.
{Are solar panels|Solar panels are} powered by {heat or light|light or heat|light or by heat} energy?
A solar panel {placed|set|that is placed} on {a flat roof or floor|an unflat roof or floor|the floor or roof} {will absorb both heat and|will absorb heat as well as|can absorb heat and} {light from the sun|sunlight from the sun|sunlight}. A {standard|typical} solar panel {will be harvesting|will harvest|is able to harvest} {light energy, but|sunlight energy, however} {it is the heat that is|its heat energy is|this is what makes the}{ most|| the most} {important|significant|crucial}. {The solar panel converts sunlight|Solar panels convert sunlight|It converts sun’s energy} {into electricity by|into electricity|to electricity} {using photovoltaic effects|making use of photovoltaic energy|using photovoltaic effect}.
The {light that produces electricity|light source that generates electricity|electricity that is produced by light} is not heat{ but|, but|, but rather} light. {Too much heat can even|The excess heat could|A lot of heat can} {hinder the process of making|slow the process of creating|interfere with the process of producing} electricity. {High temperatures can decrease|Temperatures that are high can reduce|The high temperatures can affect} the {efficiency|effectiveness} of {electricity production|the electricity generation process}. {The solar panel will therefore|Solar panels therefore|The solar panel can} absorb {both heat and light|light and heat|both light and heat}{, but it only needs| however it will only require| but only requires} {the light it desires|to receive the light it wants|the light it needs}.
This is true for PV solar panels which are the standard electricity-generating solar panels. There are {solar thermal systems|also solar thermal systems,} however, {that perform slightly|which perform|which operate slightly} differently.
{Do Solar Panels use|Solar Panels make use of|Do solar panels make use of} the sun's {heat to generate|energy to create|warmth to generate} electricity?
{Yes, in short|In short, yes}. Solar Thermal panels {use|make use of|utilize} {sunlight’s heat to produce|the sun’s energy to generate|sunlight’s heat to create} electricity. {The panels are heated by|They are heated through|These panels get heated up by}{ the|} sunlight{, which can be|. The heat can then be|. This heat is} {used|utilized} to {heat water for domestic use|warm water for domestic use|create heat for water heating for use in the home} or to {produce|generate|create} {steam and electricity|steam and electricity|electricity and steam}.
{These are difficult to install|They are challenging to install|They’re difficult to set up} and require {complex|complicated} {water system integrations|integrations into the water system|integrations of the water system}. {These panels|They} also have a {greater|higher|larger} temperature {difference than standard|variation than conventional|differential than standard} {PV solar panels,|solar PV panels|Solar PV panel,} {which makes|making} them less {reliable|efficient|secure}.
{How is it more efficient|What is the most efficient way|How can it be more efficient} to {use the sun's light|make use of the sun's light|harness the sun's rays} to {generate|produce} electricity?
There are two{ possible|| different} {ways solar panels can|methods that solar panels could|ways that solar panels can} be {used|utilized}. {The PV solar panel|Solar panels with PV|A PV solar panel}{ option|} {is more reliable|has the advantage of being more stable|offers greater reliability} and {efficient|effective}. The sun’s {energy can|light can|energy could} be {used to generate|utilized to create|utilized to produce} {energy electricity, but|electricity for energy, however|energy-producing electricity, however} {it is less efficient than|it’s less efficient than|it’s not as efficient as} the {ultraviolet and infrared|infrared and ultraviolet} light.
{You can optimize light|It is possible to optimize light|The best way to maximize light is} {in many different ways|by utilizing light in a variety of ways|through a variety of methods}. {Each home should have|Every home needs|Each house should have} {a different layout so|an individual layout to ensure|distinct layouts to ensure} that {the panels get maximum|panels receive the most|the panels can get the maximum} sunlight. Solar panels that {heat produce|generate|produce} electricity {even in snow or|in snow or|even in} {freezing cold conditions|frigid temperatures|cold temperatures,} {if there is enough|when there is sufficient|provided there is sufficient} sunlight.
{However, it is impossible|It is not possible|But, it’s not possible} to {optimize the heat|maximize the|optimize the} {energy from the sun|solar energy|energy of the sun} in {such a way|this manner|such a manner}. {It is dependent on the|It’s dependent on} temperature, which {is less|makes it less|is not as} {reliable|than reliable|stable}. {Heat-led solar panels have another|Solar panels that are heat-driven have another|The solar panels with a heat source also have a} {problem: higher temperatures can|issue: higher temperatures could|issue: higher temperatures may} {increase the electrical resistance|raise the resistance to electrical current|cause an increase in electrical resistance}{, which means|, meaning|. This means} {that they must|that they have to|they will have to} {work harder to produce|be more efficient in producing|exert more effort to produce} {the same amount|the same amount of electricity}.
{You might be|You may be|Perhaps you are} {interested in learning more|interested in knowing more|curious} {about solar panels and how|regarding solar panel systems and ways|on solar panels, and the ways that} they{ can| could|} {add value to|enhance the value of|improve the value of} your home. Contact us today {to learn|to find out|for} more.
{Are solar panels able to|Can solar panels} {work in the|operate in|function in the} shade?
{Although solar panels can|While solar panels are able to|Even though solar panels can} be {used|employed|utilized} {in shade|under shade conditions|even in the shade}, they{ will|} still {produce more electricity|generate more electricity|produce more power} than they {would under optimal|would in optimal|do under ideal} {conditions|conditions}.
These {factors|elements|variables} will determine the{ exact| precise|} {impact of shading on your|effect of shading on your|impact of shading on} solar {energy systems|power systems|panels}.
- {Time of shading|Shade time}{: The greater the drop| The more pronounced the decrease| The greater the drop} in {electricity production|the production of electricity}{, the longer the| the longer| more time the} solar panels {remain under shade|are shaded|will remain shaded}. {Keep in mind|Be aware|Remember} that {the sun’s rays are|sun’s rays are|the sun’s rays can be} {constantly changing and sunlight levels|always changing, and the levels of sunlight|constantly changing , and sun’s levels} {can vary|will fluctuate|are able to change} {from day to day|between days|throughout the day}.
- {Technology in solar panels|Solar panel technology|The technology used in solar panels}{: The newer| The latest| The most recent} panels, {which use|that use|made of} half-cut photovoltaic {cells technology|cells|cell technology}{, are specifically| specially| are specially} {designed to reduce the effects|made to minimize the impact|created to limit the effects} {of partial shade|on partial shading|from partial shade}. {Standard solar panels,|The standard solar panels,|Standard solar panels} however, {do not have|don’t have|lack} this feature. {Those that do not use|They do not make use of|The ones that don’t use} {half-cut PV cell cells|semi-cut solar cell panels.|the PV cells that are cut in half}
- Inverter {setup: If the|configuration: If the|configuration: If a} central string inverter {has been|is|was} {used, shading on|employed, shading of|utilized, shading on} one panel {will decrease|can reduce|could reduce} the solar {power output of the entire|power output of the whole|energy output of the} array. {Using MLPEs – microinverters,|Utilizing MLPEs, microinverters|By using MLPEs – microinverters} {or|as well as|and} DC power optimizers{ – shade|, shading| – shading} {on a single|one|on one} panel {will not|won’t} {have an impact on|affect|be detrimental to} {the other panels and only|the other panels , and will result in|other panels and result in only} {a slight reduction|an a small reduction|one slight decrease} in {energy production|the production of energy}.
Before {you install|installing|you put in} solar panels, {determine|you must determine|calculate} {the amount of shade|how much shade|what amount of sun}{ that|} your roof will {receive|get}. Install solar panels {with|that have|using} half-cut solar cells{ that| which|, which} {can be connected to|are connected with|could be linked to} MLPEs {if|in the event that|when} you {have limited or partial|only have partial or no|are in a partial or limited} shade. {You might also want|It is also advisable|You may also want} to {consider whether|think about whether|determine if} solar panels {should be installed|are best placed|should be placed} {on top of|over} {heavy shade|the shade that is heavy|massive shade}.
{An expert|A professional|A skilled} solar installer from {Shneyder Solar will be|the Shneyder Solar will be|Shneyder Solar is} {able to calculate|capable of calculating|in a position to determine} {the amount of shade|how much shade|what amount of sun}{ that|} {a specific roof section|an area of your roof|the roof area} {will receive|will get|is likely to receive} {throughout the|all through the|all} year. They {can also help you|will also be able to help you|can also assist you to} {calculate your solar panel|determine the solar panel’s|determine your solar panel’s} output {and solar payback period|and the solar payback time|as well as the time to payback}.
{What amount of sunlight|How much sunlight|How much light} {does a solar panel need|is required for a solar panel|will a solar panel require} to be economically {viable|feasible|sustainable}?
A {solar renewable|solar|solar-powered renewable} energy system is {worth investing|one to invest} in if it {receives|gets|is able to receive} {an average of four|the average of four|an average of 4} hours of {peak sunlight per|maximum sunlight each|sunlight peaking per} day.
Four {peak hours equals 4000 watt-hours|peak hours equals 4000 watts of|hours of peak time equals 4000 watts} {cumulative solar radiation per day|total solar radiation per day|daily. This is a total of 4000 watts of solar radiation}. This blog {explains|will explain|provides information on} {peak sun hours and|the hours of peak sun and|peak hours for sun, as well as} the {numbers|figures|number} for {each state|each state|every state}.
The amount of {sunlight should|sunlight you get should|sunshine should} not be the {only thing|only factor|sole thing} homeowners {consider|think about|take into account} {when evaluating Solar’s cost-effectiveness|when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of solar|in evaluating the effectiveness of Solar}. When {calculating your payback period|you calculate your payback time|calculating the payback time}{, you should also consider| take into account| it is also important to consider} {local utility rates|the local utility costs} {as well as|and} {state incentives|incentives from the state|incentives offered by the state}.
{Learn|Find out} {more about solar|the details about|how to get solar} tax {credits, rebates and incentives|incentives, rebates, and credits|incentives, rebates and credits} {available|that are available|which are available} to you.
{Your local utility rates|The local utility rate|The rates for your local utilities} will be higher{ and|, and|, while} {local incentives will be|the local incentive system will also be|your local tax incentives are} {better|higher|more favorable}. This {will increase your potential|could increase your|can increase your} savings. {These factors make|This makes|This is what makes the} [region], {which has|with|which receives} an average of {three peak sunlight|three maximum sunlight|3 peak sun} hours {per day, one of|each day, one of|every day, among} the most {attractive|appealing|desirable} {places|locations|areas} to go {solar|for solar|in the solar energy sector}. Payback {times can|time can|times could} be as {low|short|little} as 3.2years.
Are {Solar Panels|solar panels} less efficient {at|in} certain temperatures?
{Because we often experience|Since we are often experiencing|Since we frequently experience} {heat and light|both light and heat|the light and heat} {simultaneously, it is|at the same time, it’s|simultaneously, it’s} easy to {mistakenly confuse|confuse|misinterpret} {them|the two|these two}. {There is a huge|There’s a vast|There’s a big} {difference when it comes to|distinction between|distinction when it comes to} solar panels.
{Because of the unique characteristics|Due to the unique properties|Due to the unique features} {of solar panels, this is|that solar panel panels possess, it is|in solar panels this can be} {possible|feasible}. {This is why|This is the reason|That’s why} solar panels {can work differently|work in different ways|perform differently} {at|in|with} different temperatures.
{The|It is the|Science of Solar Energy Conversion} Science of Solar Energy Conversion
Solar {electricity is based on|electricity is generated by|power is based on} sunlight{ and not|, not on|, not} heat. This is the {number one|most important|primary} rule, {but it’s often|yet it is often|but it’s frequently} {forgotten|overlooked|ignored}.
{Although temperature doesn’t affect|While temperature doesn’t impact|While temperature does not affect} {how much solar energy|the amount of solar energy|the amount of solar energy that} {a panel receives|the panel gets|a solar panel gets} from the sun{ it can|, it does|, it could} {influence how much|affect the amount that|determine how much of it} {is converted to|is converted into|can be converted to} electricity. The {efficiency of a solar panel|effectiveness of solar panels} {will drop if it is|will decrease if it’s|can decrease when it’s} {very hot or cold|extremely cold or hot|very cold or hot}.
{This is a common occurrence|It’s a regular occurrence|This is common} {with electronic equipment and devices|in the field of electronic devices and equipment|when it comes to electronic devices and equipment} {in general, so|generally, so|in general, and} {it shouldn’t surprise anyone|it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone|this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone}.
It {may surprise you|might be surprising|could be surprising for you} to {learn|know|find out} that solar panels {can handle|can withstand|are able to handle} more cold {than heat|temperatures than they can handle}. Here’s why.
A Hot Solar Panel vs. A Cold Solar Panel
{The atoms vibrate faster|The atoms vibrate more rapidly|Atoms vibrate at a higher rate} in a {hot solar cell|solar cell that is hot} {than they do|than|as opposed to} when {it is|it’s|the temperature is} cold. The {sunlight energizes electrons in|sun’s rays stimulate electrons within|sunlight stimulates electrons in} the atoms{ to produce|, causing them to generate| and generates} electricity.
{Excess heat can cause|The excess heat may cause the|In excess heat,} atoms of atoms{ to vibrate| to move|} {more rapidly, making|faster, which makes|more quickly, making} it {harder for electrons in|difficult for electrons to move through|more difficult for electrons to penetrate} the {atoms|atoms to move around}. This {happens when|occurs when|happens because} the energy {does not|doesn’t|is not able to} {make it like|create|cause it to behave like} {an electric current|the electric charge|electricity}.
Another way {to look at|of looking at|to think about} {it is that solar cells|it is to say that solar cells|the solar cell is to consider that they} {generate power by electrons moving|produce power through electrons that move|produce energy by moving electrons} from one {energy status|state of energy|energy state} (rest) {into|to} {a higher|an elevated|the next} {state|level|energy state} (excited).
The {difference|distinction} between the {rest and excited|excited and rest|rest and the excited} energy states is {smaller|less} {when a solar panel heats|when a solar panel is heated|as a solar panel heats} up, {which means less|meaning less|which means that less} energy is {generated|produced|created}.
{When a solar panel’s temperature|If the temperature of a solar panel|When the temperature of a solar panel} {is lower, the|decreases,|drops,} {opposite|reverse} {happens|occurs}. The electrons {in a cool|inside a cool|in a cold} {solar panel are still|sun’s panel remain|photovoltaic panel stay} {excited|stimulated} by {sunlight, and can|light and|the sun’s rays, and are able to} {move up|be able to move upwards|increase} {to higher levels of energy|into higher energy levels|in energy to greater levels}. {Because the atoms don’t vibrate|Since atoms aren’t vibrating|Because atoms don’t move}{, this is why| and therefore,| which is the reason} they {move slower|are slower to move|move at a slower pace}.
{Although electrons move slower than|While electrons are slower to move than|Even though electrons move slower} {in a heated state|when they are heated|in a hot state}{, they still have| but they have| however, they possess} more energy than {those that|electrons that|those who} {are moving at a faster|are moving at a higher|move at a greater} speed.
What {a difference can|difference could|impact can} it {make|bring|create}?
For {every|each} degree Celsius {rise in temperature,|increase in temperature,|increase in temperature} solar panel efficiency {decreases|declines|drops} by {about|around|approximately} 0.05 percent. For {every|each} degree Celsius {drop in temperature,|decrease in temperature,|decrease in temperature} efficiency {rises|increases} {by|to|in} 0.05 percent.
It is {important to remember|crucial to keep in mind|vital to note} that this {refers|is referring} {to the temperature|to the temp|on the heat} of the panel{,|} {and not the temperature outside|not the outside temperature|and not to the temperature outside}. {However, air temperature|But, the temperature of the air|However, the temperature of the air} {can affect|can influence|may affect} {the panel’s temperature|your panel’s temperatures|its temperature}.
{How the panels are made|The way the panels are constructed|How panels are made} and {their hardware will affect|the hardware used will determine|their components will impact} {how efficient they are|the efficiency of them|the effectiveness of their panels}. {The|It is the|A} “temperature coefficient” is {a measure|an indicator|an indication} of {how well a solar panel|the degree to which a solar panel|how well solar panels} {can handle heat and cold|can handle cold and heat|is able to handle cold and heat}. {This is|It is|It’s} {a range of temperatures that|an array of temperatures at which|the range of temperatures in which} {a panel can produce its|the panel is able to produce at its|panels can handle at their} {best|most efficient|highest}.
Here’s an {example|illustration}. {An example of a|A} 200-watt {panel operating at 20 degrees|power source operating in 20°|system operating at 20 degrees} Celsius (68deg Fahrenheit) {could produce only|can produce just|will produce only} 180 watts {when it reaches|once it reaches|at} {45 degrees|45 °|the temperature of 45 degree} Celsius (113 {degrees|degree} F).
Solar {Panels are more efficient|panels are more efficient|Panels work better} {if it is cooler,|when they are cooler.|in cooler temperatures,} {buy solar panels that receive|purchase solar panels that get|choose solar panels that are able to receive} more sunlight{ make a better|. This is a good|. It is a better} {choice|option}.
{A solar panel’s ideal day|The ideal day for solar panels} {is one that is|will be|can be described as} {cold|cool}{, sunny, and| and sunny. It can also be| as well as sunny and} {windy|turbulent|extremely windy}. {These conditions allow|This allows} the panel to {receive|absorb|get} {plenty of|lots of|ample} {solar energy, keep|sunlight, stay|solar energy, remain} cool{ and be|, and not be| and not get} {swept away by the|carried away by the|taken away by} {wind|winds}. {Production can also be|The production can also be|Production is also} {slowed down by|reduced by|slow down due to} {arctic temperatures that are extremely|extreme arctic temperatures, which are|the extreme cold of the arctic.} cold. {Everything slows down at|All things slow down when it reaches|The entire process slows down after} {a certain temperature|the temperature of a certain|an optimum temperature}.
{While cooler temperatures are better|Although cooler temperatures are more suitable|While cooler temperatures are preferable} {for solar panel production than warmer|to produce solar panels than warm|in terms of solar panel manufacturing than hot} {regions|areas}{, the warmth of the| however, the warmth of the| but the warmth of} sun {makes up for it|compensates for the difference|can make up for it}.
{While|Whereas|Although} {cooler regions are closer to the|warmer regions tend to be closer to|colder regions have a greater proximity to the} sun {and the|and also the|as well as the} Equator{, they produce| They produce| and the Equator, they generate} {more solar energy when|greater solar power when|higher amounts of solar energy whenever} the sun {shines|is shining}. {You can still get excellent|It is possible to still enjoy high|There is still a high} solar efficiency{, regardless of| regardless of| no matter} {where you live|the location you reside in}.
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