Does the temperature affect how much power solar panels make


Despite popular belief, the power output of a solar panel decreases as the temperature of the cells inside the panel increase. The listed power of a solar cell is the power measured under ideal laboratory conditions of 25 °C, however on a typical hot summers day in Australia it’s not uncommon for a solar cell to reach a scorching 75 °! The efficiency of some cheap solar cells can decrease more than 0.5% for every 1 °C above 25 °C, which means that on a hot summer’s day the efficiency of a solar cell could drop by as much as 25%!

With high temperatures being such an issue it’s extremely important to ensure your solar panels are well ventilated. Make sure the wind is able to cool the solar panels on all sides, including the underside by making sure the panels are not installed too close to the roof. 

Be aware that some solar power installers have been installing solar panels on roofs with low profile box aluminium extrusions, and when installed this way the solar panels will not be able to dissipate high temperatures as well as they should. When installed on purpose built solar framing systems solar panels have more space for ventilation between the back of the solar panel and the roof structure, providing you with a greater power yield.

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Comments

  1. The information is very well written and very well explained. Thank you for sharing
    Solar Arizona
    Solar Las Vegas

    ReplyDelete
  2. The information is very well written and very well explained. Thank you for sharing
    Solar Arizona
    Solar Las Vegas

    ReplyDelete

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