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When installing solar panels, one of the questions that frequently arises has to do with its performance during the winter months. Hence, sometimes it can be considered whether it is worth investing in photovoltaics in low-temperature areas. Engel Solar answers these questions and tells about the real performance of solar panels in winter

Barcelona, ​​February 15, 2023.-

"Solar panels work in winter", Engel Solar

According to what they explain from Engel Solar, sometimes there is confusion between thermal and photovoltaic panels. Photovoltaic solar panels generate energy through sunlight, not heat. Therefore, the energy production of these panels will not depend on whether the weather is cold or warm, but will depend on the amount of sunlight that falls on the area.

In this sense, it must be said that solar panels not only work in winter, but also in cooler times they can perform even more than in summer. This is because it is precisely the excessive heat that could reduce the efficiency of the plates somewhat in case they overheat too much.

And how is electricity generated from sunlight? Solar panels have a transparent cover that allows light to pass through. From there, it is the photoelectric effect that is responsible for the fact that sunlight, after hitting the cell surface, produces the detachment of a flow of free electrons. This is because the light that arrives in the form of solar radiation is charged with photons or light energy and the amount that is received depends on the wave frequency of the light.

What changes in winter?

As explained by Engel Solar, in essence sunlight is the same in summer and winter and is charged with the same energy. What can happen in winter is that the radiation that the plate receives changes. This is partly because the days are shorter and clouds tend to be more frequent, so less solar radiation can reach the panels.

In addition, considering that solar panels are more efficient if the sun's rays reach them perpendicularly, it must be considered that the angle of incidence of light is different in summer and winter, falling more directly in summer, which does affect the panels. .

Despite this and considering that winter is usually a time of high energy demand, solar panels continue to perform well. That is why they represent an opportunity to save energy through the production of own electricity with the application of these plates.

What happens to the snow?

Finally, Engel Solar recalls that what should be paid attention to in winter is the accumulation of snow. Although the panels are capable of having the same or even higher performance in winter, it is important to ensure that the panels are not covered with snow, since if they are covered, this will negatively affect the light they receive.

If there is a lot of snow covering the panels, the energy production can even be reduced to zero, because the snow does not allow light to pass through. However, it is also true that snow tends to fall or melt quickly on the plates. However, they maintain from Engel Solar that it is advisable to carry out basic maintenance to prevent the accumulation of snow and the impact that this can have, in order to guarantee the optimal functioning of the solar panels.

Contact

Contact name: Carol Curado

Contact phone: 937191811