Scottish homeowners are installing more solar panel systems than ever before.
However, many others who may have been considering panel installation are put off by the thought that our often-cloudy weather may reduce the effectiveness of solar panels to such an extent that they are no longer a worthwhile investment.
For this reason, we have put together this guide to solar panel use in overcast conditions, giving you all the information, you need to make the smartest decision for your home.
Is solar power worth it?
Solar panels are almost always an excellent investment, offering dramatically reduced, or even eliminated, energy bills, and helping you to reduce your carbon footprint.
According to Solar Energy UK, solar panel installation soared by 71% in 2021, compared to the previous year, with 61,455 properties having panels of some kind installed.
Around 25% of these installations were in Scotland.
Deciding whether or not solar panels are the right investment for you can be tough so here are some factors to consider when making the decision:
- Any shading on your roof
- The angle that the solar panels will be at
- Hours of daylight and amount of sunlight
- How much energy your home requires
The impact of some of these factors can be hard to determine, so the best thing to do is to have a home assessment conducted by an expert before making your final decision.
How do solar panels work in poor weather conditions?
One of the biggest determining factors in the effectiveness of solar panels that is completely out of your control is the weather.
Despite common belief, solar panels can still operate in rain, fog, and even snow as long as they are not fully covered although their efficiency rates will understandably drop in comparison to a sunny day.
What many people don’t realise is that solar panels actually perform better in cool temperatures, with their production falling once the temperature rises above 25 degrees Celsius.
During the summer, therefore, when temperatures rise, fog can actually be a good thing for your solar panel production, cooling them down to a point at which they can produce energy at an optimum level.
Of course, given that solar panels rely on light to function, rainy overcast conditions will certainly have a negative impact on efficiency levels, and you can expect your system to produce around 10-25% of their expected capacity during rainy weather.
Clouds will also reduce performance, but not to the same extent as rain, achieving as much as 45% of what could be expected under ideal conditions.
Not all solar panels are the same however, and these numbers will vary based on quality and installation.
The highest quality solar panels on the market, such as those installed by Greener Energy Group, are far better at absorbing ambient light than other panels, and will, therefore, perform much better in overcast conditions.
Make sure that if you live in a shaded area or somewhere that experiences a lot of different weather conditions, you check with your chosen installer about how the panels they are offering will be impacted.
A professional installer will be able to assess your home and recommend the perfect solar panel type for maximum performance.
Are solar panels worth it?
Given the inevitable drop in performance seen during inclement weather are solar panels really worth the investment in a country with a climate as unpredictable as Scotland?
In a word, yes.
When combined with a solar battery which can store energy produced during sunny weather for use at night or when it is overcast, solar panels are highly-cost effective and will more than pay for themselves during their lifespan.
Even if you don’t have a battery installed, you will be able to sell any excess energy produced at times of high production back into the national grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme and use these savings to offset the cost of any grid energy that you use at night or during inclement weather.
Furthermore, installing solar panels is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
You will also see your home’s value increase after installation, so if you ever come to sell, you may be able to achieve higher offers as potential buyers see your property as future-ready.
Overall, the benefits of solar panel installation far outweigh any occasional drop in KWH production on a rainy day and are a worthwhile investment for anyone who is looking to provide their home with clean and completely free energy for years to come.
For more information on solar panel installation, or to arrange a survey of your home to determine the best location and type of panels for your needs, contact Greener Energy Group today on 03335 77 66 999.