Investing in photovoltaic It's a decision to let savings in electricity bills and usage ‘free electricity from the sunIt’s okay. ” However, for many owners of photovoltaic panels there is simply a minute erstwhile they gotta face higher energy bills during the winter period. Why is the production of energy from photovoltaic panels in winter so much smaller than in summertime months? We check what factors affect the lower performance of photovoltaics in winter and what should be known about its usage at that time.
Critical months for photovoltaics
Winter period, in peculiar December and January, is the time erstwhile owners of photovoltaic panels can announcement crucial decrease in productivity its installation. According to experts from Tauron, the amount of energy produced by photovoltaic panels in these months may be 10 times smaller more than JuneWhen the days are long and the sun operates at maximum intensity. In winter, the main origin affecting energy production is shorter day and lower angle of sunlight.
What precisely is the fall in the efficiency of photovoltaics in winter?
Winter failure Photovoltaic panels do not consequence from low temperatures – panels can work decently even in conditions below minus 40 degrees Celsius. In fact, this high temperatures In summer, they can reduce the efficiency of photovoltaics, as advanced temperatures can lead to overheating of cells. This phenomenon is known as Light Induced Degradation (LID), which reduces the life of panels erstwhile they are operated in full sunlight for a long time.
Winter months are besides characterized by shorter days, which means that photovoltaic panels have little time for conversion of solar energy for electricity. Tauron emphasises that day length It's a key determining factor. reduced energy productionBut not the only one. Pollution, specified as dust, leaves, or bird feces, and snow cover, can completely cut off panels from an energy source.
Factors affecting the efficiency of photovoltaics in winter
In addition to a short day, another factors affect the productivity of photovoltaics in winter. Snow cover is 1 of the main reasons why panels can halt working. Snow, which rests on the panel surface, effectively blocking light accessand thus prevents energy production. In specified situations, panels may require snow removal, although not all situations justify specified action. As experts explain, snow It does not in itself harm photovoltaic panels due to the fact that glass covering panels is smooth and slippery, which makes snow fall easily, especially on steep roofs. However, it is worth remembering that snow removal on panels, it can origin harm to them, which makes it not always profitable.
What treatments are recommended for photovoltaics in winter?
Winter maintenance of photovoltaics does not require peculiar treatments, and panels request not be cleaned in winter conditions, unless they happen extreme rainfall or Cold. Tauron points out that snow removal of panels does not have a large impact on efficiency improvement, and in any cases may even lead to installation failure. Most photovoltaic panels is designed to automatically Clean yourself up with excess snow or contamination thanks to intense absorbing surface heat.
What settings are optimal in winter?
To minimize the fall in productivity of photovoltaics in winter, it is worth taking care of the right orientation and slope angle panels. Southern direction is the most optimal, as it provides the best access to sunlight, especially during winter. The perfect slope angle of the panels is about 30-40 degrees, which allows the best usage of falling sunlight, especially erstwhile the sun is low above the horizon.
Photovoltaic in winter does not make the same savings as in the summertime months. Shorter Day, lower angles of falling sunlight and snow cover These are factors that importantly reduce energy production. Nevertheless, photovoltaic systems are inactive in operation and can contribute to long-term savings. It is crucial that the owners of photovoltaic panels are aware of these challenges and adjust the settings of the panels and guarantee that they are maintained to optimise the production of energy throughout the year.
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Why is photovoltaic not so effective in winter? What awaits panel owners?