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coolwubla t1_jbjddc6 wrote

Reply to comment by Early-Consequence-61 in How’s solar power doing in NJ? by Early-Consequence-61

There seems to be a common misconception about Solar and temperature. Solar energy comes from Light not heat. The fact that it’s cold in the winter has no effect on solar. However shorter days with less direct sun does have an effect. However, the only place where this would not have a significant effect would be at the equator.

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refpuz t1_jbjjeq9 wrote

Temperature of the panels does affect solar panel efficiency though. It is measurable, but comes in second to total daylight in terms of total daily output. It is significant enough that there are now Hybrid PV-Thermal Panels which generate both electricity and hot water. The water loop cools the panels which increases efficiency (up to 15% more electricity generated) while also turning the waste heat into usable hot water for your home. They are more efficient because they turn more of the solar energy into useable stuff for your home than just electricity or thermal panels separately.

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infamousdx t1_jbjz7x2 wrote

> The fact that it’s cold in the winter has no effect on solar.

Also not entirely true in that panels become more efficient when it's below 77 degrees until, I think, 59 degrees. That is to say, on those really random chilly spring or fall days where you still have very long sunlight hours, you will see more production than you'd see during summer where you have the longest sun hours.

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jbl429 t1_jbke9sl wrote

Exactly. I'm getting more production out of my solar panels now in March where I'm really only producing from 9:30 - 3:30 than I will in the middle of July where the days are way longer, but it's 90F+ outside.

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Early-Consequence-61 OP t1_jbk6w9j wrote

What I meant was that I am currently much closer to the equator, and I barely see clouds in the sky so solar makes easy sense. But in a place that’s cloudy rainy, wintery, foresty, wasn’t sure. Wondering if it’s a selling point on a house or a pain in the ass or worse, useless. Glad to hear otherwise

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