Because solar panels naturally rely on the sun's rays to create solar energy that can be used in various ways, prospective clients often have questions about how they'll work during non-sunny conditions. A common such question: Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're here to offer a huge range of commercial and residential solar panels and other solar power solutions to clients around Salt Lake City, Utah and various parts of Idaho, including solar battery backups and more. The answer to the above question is yes, solar panels work on cloudy days and even rainy days - but not always at quite the same levels of peak performance as on fully sunny days. Let's go over some specifics here so you understand exactly how this works, plus what to expect from solar panels if you live in an area with frequent clouds.

How Photovoltaic Cells Work

While many people believe that solar panels create their energy from the sun's light, this is technically incorrect. Rather, they obtain it from the sun's heat - and there's a big difference between the two. Solar panels feature photovoltaic cells (PV cells) that are specially designed to capture photons, particles of light from the sun. When these photons come into contact with PV cells, they pass on their energy in the form of an electrical voltage.

The key word here is energy - not heat or light, but energy. This is why solar panels can still work even when it's cloudy outside; while direct sunlight may provide more intense levels of this energy, even during cloudy days there is still enough for PV cells to do their job.

Factors Affecting Performance

With that said, there are a few different factors that will affect how efficiently your solar panels work on cloudy days:

• Cloud Density: The more dense the cloud cover is, the less light and energy that will reach your solar panels. Thin, wispy clouds will still allow a significant amount of sunlight to come through.
• Time of Day: Solar panels are most effective during peak sunlight hours - usually between 9am and 3pm. Outside of these hours, they may not be able to produce as much energy even on sunny days.
• Panel Angle and Direction: The angle and direction at which your solar panels are installed can also affect their performance in cloudy conditions. Panels tilted towards the sun's location at noon will receive more direct sunlight than those facing away from it.

How to Maximize Solar Panel Performance on Cloudy Days

While it's important to understand that solar panels will still work on cloudy days, you may want to consider optimizing their performance during these conditions. Here are a few ways you can do this:

• Consider battery backups: Installing a solar battery backup system will allow you to store excess energy produced by your solar panels during sunny days for use on cloudy days where there may be less energy being generated.
• Clean your panels regularly: Dirt and debris can accumulate on your solar panels over time, reducing their efficiency even further on cloudy days. Make sure to clean them regularly to ensure maximum performance.
• Choose high-quality, efficient panels: Not all solar panels are created equal. Investing in high-quality, efficient panels can make a difference in how well they perform on cloudy days.

What About Wind?

Due to the fact that solar panels create energy based on the sun's heat, you may be worried that you'll get less power if you live in a windy area. However, the opposite is often true - because wind helps keep panels cool and reduces the humidity that builds up on them, it can actually increase their efficiency. This is especially true if you live in a coastal or desert area with strong winds.

So essentially, you don't need to worry about whether your solar panels will work on cloudy or even windy days. They may not be able to reach their peak performance levels, but they'll still produce enough energy to power your home or business and help you save money on your energy bills.

If you have any further questions about the performance of solar panels in different weather conditions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Intermountain Wind & Solar - we're always happy to provide more information and guidance. Remember, investing in solar power is a long-term decision that comes with numerous benefits, regardless of the weather outside! We're here to help clients around Utah and Idaho with all their solar needs.