May
2010
Does a solar panel get more energy on hotter or brighter days?
I was just thinking about it. A solar panel cannot get energy from sunlight at night because there is MUCH less light. If there is an overcast, the same concept should apply. If the sun appears to be shining brighter than usual, would the panel be able to receive more energy?
As indicated in the reference sites I’ve listed, there is actually very little variation in the sun’s intensity on a day to day basis. However, scientists claim that over the last 60 years or so, that the sun has been at the hottest temperatures and burning the brightest than it ever has.
But the real solar energy is in the light, not the temperature. Hence, the PHOTOvoltaic cells that are a part of today’s solar collectors and panel. They say that solar energy can actually be collected at the North Pole as long as the Sun is shining.
As indicated in the reference sites I’ve listed, there is actually very little variation in the sun’s intensity on a day to day basis. However, scientists claim that over the last 60 years or so, that the sun has been at the hottest temperatures and burning the brightest than it ever has.
But the real solar energy is in the light, not the temperature. Hence, the PHOTOvoltaic cells that are a part of today’s solar collectors and panel. They say that solar energy can actually be collected at the North Pole as long as the Sun is shining.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variation
http://www.greenwaysolarproducts.com/2010/04/solar-energy-for-the-home/
http://climate.gsfc.nasa.gov/research/solar_radiation.php
The simple answer is yes. I have a number of solar lights that I put outside in the daytime and use at night for nightlights. On bright sunny days they tend to stay lit all night long but on overcast days their batteries grow weaker faster.
That is a small scale example but would apply to larger solar panels.
Please keep in mind that technology is changing rapidly and very little sunlight is needed to juice them up these days. Solar garden variety lights are inexpensive and probably not as light sensitive as their larger cousins.
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do work
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yes,the more sun,the more power will be converted.Note,all panels have a maxium output of voltage.please be sure to buy the correct product for your personal needs.tommy
References :
http://www.blueviewsolar.com
Heat reduces effectiveness of solar panels by 0.5% C. Therefore you will get most of energy out of a solar panel on bright cool days.
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Yes, the brighter and sunnier the day, the more energy is available for the panels to collect. However, be careful of the word "Hotter" in your question. Most solar electric panels actually work better on colder days. The polycrystalline cells are extremely temperature sensitive. Here in Northern Utah, our favorite days for making solar electricity are in the winter season, when the sun is bright and the temperature outside is 20 degrees or colder.
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Owner of Whole Sun Solar, 3 years solar design experience, former physics teacher of 11 years, emphasis on energy and renewables.