If you have recently become interested in solar power for your home, then you might be wondering how that type of system is going to work on cloudy days. While clouds could have a big impact on the amount of energy that is generated, there are quite a few steps that you can take to ensure that your solar electric system remains viable throughout the year.
An Overview of Solar Electric Systems
This type of green energy is more popular than ever, and thousands of homeowners are having solar panels installed every year. The primary purpose of a photovoltaic system is to turn the sun’s energy into usable electricity. Your system is going to accomplish that by capturing the energy with solar panels and then redirecting it toward your home’s existing electrical panel.
Solar Power on Cloudy Days
Even though direct sunlight is ideal, photovoltaic panels will continue to collect energy through indirect sunlight. That includes the minor sunlight that is going to make its way through thick clouds that are passing over a home. You are probably going to see a dip in your system’s energy production on extremely cloudy days, but the energy production shouldn’t stop entirely.
Understanding Solar Efficiency
In some cases, rain clouds can even be beneficial to solar electric systems because the water is going to rinse away dust and other grime that might have collected on the solar panels. There are also a few things that you can do as a homeowner to improve the overall efficiency of your new solar panels. That includes trimming any trees that are nearby, keeping the panels clean, and regularly inspecting them for any signs of damage.
Power Storage Options
Installing a battery storage system is another step that you can take to make the most out of your new solar panels. A solar battery storage installation company should be able to carry out that upgrade within just a few hours, and those devices last for years with the proper maintenance. After they are in place, you will be able to continue using all of the power generated by your panels throughout the night and on extremely cloudy days.
There are many different online calculators that can be used to determine how much power a solar electric system on your home will produce each year. Once you have used one of those calculators, you will then need to contact a reputable solar company in your area like Harmon Solar who can further explain the pros and cons of those residential power systems.
