Will My Solar Panels Produce Power When The Sun Isn’t Shining?
Solar panels can save homeowners a lot of money on their utility bills, but have you ever wondered how well they work? Will they generate enough power to make a difference in your home? Can they generate power even if it isn’t a sunny day?
You may be surprised to learn that modern solar panels are incredibly effective and don’t need to have the sun shining directly onto them to generate power.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels work by harnessing the power of the sun to stimulate the flow of electrons. The process is quite simple:
- Light from the sun hits a photovoltaic panel
- The light knocks electrons loose from their atoms
- Those electrons flow from one side of the cell to the other
- As the electrons flow through this circuit, it generates energy
- Multiple panels can be linked to form a solar array, which can generate more power
The power generated by solar panels is DC (Direct Current) power. Most household appliances run on AC (Alternating Current), so the current from the panels must be converted before it is used.
Will Solar Panels Generate Power On A Dull Day?
Solar panels will be much more efficient if it’s a bright day and the sun is shining directly onto them, but they will work even if this is not the case, as long as there’s some sunlight. Modern solar panels will generate some power even on a dull, cloudy day.
Of course, they can’t generate power at night. However, you can store some of the energy from the solar panel in a battery to use at night. So, if you’re someone who is rarely home during the day and has minimal power needs, you could use solar panels to store up power and still live reasonably well ‘off grid’ at night.
Many caravan and RV owners have solar panels on their roofs and recharge their batteries while they’re on the move so they can boil a kettle or charge their laptop once they stop.
Very high power users may still need power ‘from the grid’, but solar panels are becoming impressively efficient. They’re also long-lasting, making them a good investment for homeowners who want to be as energy-efficient as possible.
How Much Power Can I Expect Solar Panels To Generate
Most domestic solar panel systems can generate between 1KW and 4KW per hour, depending on their size and the conditions they’re used in. This should be enough to cover light domestic usage, especially if the panels are hooked up to a battery for use during the night.
Australia has some of the highest uptakes of solar panels in the world, which should not be surprising when you consider the climate. There’s lots of sunshine to harvest, and those who live in less densely populated areas such as Hervey Bay should have plenty of roof area on which to mount solar panels.
The up-front cost of investing in the panels may seem intimidating at first, but in the long term the investment will pay off. Not only does using solar power cut your monthly utility bills, having panels on your property can increase the value of your home. Therefore, if you plan to sell your property in the future, you could command a higher asking price for the property.
For solar panels to generate enough electricity to be worthwhile, you need to live in an area with a high amount of daylight hours, and for your roof to not be under shade. However, direct sunlight is not totally necessary. Solar power works very well for most Australian homeowners.
Final Thoughts
A solar power system is a great addition to any property. For your peace of mind, it is important that you have the system installed properly by qualified, experienced and fully-equipped professionals.
Please contact us today at GCR Electrical Systems on (07) 4120 7004 if you are looking for a trusted local solar company in Hervey Bay, or leave an enquiry if you would like more information about our solar installation services.