If you are wondering if solar panels work on cloudy days then you are not alone. Especially with the transition from winter to spring, mother nature has not been very considerate of our vitamin D intake lately. If you are currently relying on solar panels or are considering installing them it’s important that you understand how they work and what they are capable of.
Do Solar Panels Work on Cloudy Days?
Yes! The simple answer is yes – although your solar panels are not producing at its maximum. The average production on a cloudy day is about 10-25% of their normal power output. It’s safe to say they are not producing as well, but they are still helping in the efficiency of your home and alleviating some of the costs associated with powering your home.
That being said, we are lucky enough to be top 2 in the country for solar power installed. Why? because on average we have great sun!
A Snapshot of Solar Production in North Carolina
The chart above is an example of solar production throughout the year. You will see that the blue spikes represent an above average production from your array in the summer. The dips represent the effect of the rainy, winter season that luckily only last a few months in NC. The black line represents the average production over a 12 month period. If we extend this chart you would see that the highs and lows would form a pattern, year over year, creating a very dependable forecast for your system.
In conclusion, you are lucky to have the option of dependable solar production in North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more feel free to submit a request for our Solar Information Packet. If you would like to speak to one of our solar experts contact us today for a FREE energy analysis and design. We are always here to answer your questions and help you save more than just the planet!