Do solar panels produce electricity during winter months? Can high temperatures damage solar panels? How long do solar panels last? Can hail damage the glass on a solar panel?
Switching to renewable energy sources and installing solar panels is becoming an increasingly relevant topic. This is driven by global environmental trends and local issues, primarily the inevitable rise in electricity prices.
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Installing solar panels is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Additionally, the many governments encourages households to produce their own electricity through subsidies. However, despite the significantly increased popularity of solar panels today compared to previous years, some misconceptions still exist. Here are the most common ones:
Myth: Solar Panels Do Not Produce Electricity During Winter
One of the most common misconceptions is that solar panels do not work during winter months, precisely when electricity is most needed. Many simply overlook that solar panels are called “solar” not “thermal.” Therefore, their performance does not depend on temperature but on light. This means that a solar panel on a winter sun will produce electricity just like on a summer sun.
Their efficiency during winter can be lower only because there are more cloudy days in winter than in summer, reducing the light source. Additionally, during heavy snowfall, a solar panel may be covered by a layer of snow. However, this does not last long, as snow melts and slides off relatively quickly due to the smooth glass surface at an angle.
Myth: High Temperatures Can Damage Solar Panels
This myth stems from the fact that at the highest temperatures, solar panels have lower efficiency. This is true. High temperatures can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by 10 to 25 percent. The reason is that every device has an optimal operating temperature, and performance usually decreases under extreme conditions. Solar panels are tested at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), the optimal temperature allowing the best possible performance throughout the year.
Solar cells, or semiconductor elements within the panel, best transform solar energy into electricity in the range of 15 to 35 degrees Celsius (59 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Outside this range, their efficiency decreases. During the hottest summer days, when temperatures are extreme, there is plenty of light, so the reduced efficiency of solar panels is not noticeable. It’s important to highlight that high temperatures will not damage the solar panel, only reduce its efficiency.
Myth: Solar Panels Have a Limited Lifespan
This is true, but the lifespan is up to 30 years. You can rely on the efficiency and reliability of the solar system only if you have equipped your home with quality products that come with a warranty. On average, solar panels from reputable manufacturers lose 0.5 percent of their efficiency annually. This means that over three decades of use, they will lose only 15 percent of their nominal capacity.
Based on this data, anyone can calculate whether and when investing in solar power will pay off in the long term. Additionally, it is significant that solar panels lose their efficiency gradually, meaning they will not stop working suddenly, except in the event of a malfunction. Thanks to this, their timely replacement can be planned in advance.
Myth: Hail Can Damage Solar Panels
As with the lifespan of solar panels, possible damage depends largely on the quality of the product you have chosen. Every solar panel manufacturer must meet basic standards. The minimum standard each manufacturer must meet is a test involving the impact of an one inch ice ball with on 11 different spots on the panel at a speed of 23 meters per second.
Since solar panels are covered with glass, it’s understandable that the glass can break, but when was the last time you saw hail with a one inch diameter? The glass is angled, making it more resistant to impact. Therefore, solar panels will survive all but the most extreme weather conditions.