Do Solar Panels Work in the Winter?

Do solar panels work in the winter? Those of us who know how solar power works, can answer this question very easily. But for those who know very well about the basics of what is solar energy, but do not have an idea as to how it is harnessed in a solar panel, this article will help in solving their confusions. We will start this article by answering some basic questions, which will help you in understanding the answer to the question at which we are focusing.

What is Solar Energy?

Yes, we do know it. It is the energy derived from the sun. It is a renewable energy and I can safely say that a lot of advancement has not been made yet in harnessing this energy. If proper ways can be found out for harnessing solar energy for meeting all our requirements, then undoubtedly, we will never face any more problem regarding energy requirements. Solar energy is derived from sunlight. The amount of solar power or solar energy falling on the earth is constant, referred to as the solar constant, but as already mentioned, not a very good amount of considerable energy has yet been derived from solar energy. It is the nuclear fusion reaction in the sun that causes the formation of solar energy. Four hydrogen nuclei combine to form a helium atom in the nuclear fusion reaction. However, the helium atom formed by the fusion of the hydrogen nuclei has less mass as that compared to the combined mass of the hydrogen atoms. The remaining matter is send out to the space in the form of radiation, or what we term as solar energy.

How do Solar Panels Work?

The solar energy falling on the earth can be conserved or used by any of the two methods, through photo-voltaic cells or by boiling water. In the second case, the heat generated from the boiling water is used for the generation of solar energy. Solar panels absorb the solar energy and convert it into electrical energy. A solar panel as most of you who have seen it, know that it consists of a huge number of collectors. These collectors are used for absorbing the sun's radiation and the photo-voltaic cells in the panel are charged in this process. These batteries can then be used for meeting your electrical energy requirements at your home.

Do Solar Panels Work in the Winter?

First of all, get rid of the misconception that solar panels work on the sun's heat. The heat from the sun has nothing to do with the working of the panel. It is the sunlight that is responsible for the working of the solar panels. Low temperature during the winter days has nothing to do with the working of the solar panel. In fact, in most of the cases, the solar panels work more efficiently during the winter months. Now, those of you using these panels must be wondering as to why the amount of energy derived from your panel reduce during the winter months. Well, the answer is simple. First and foremost, winter days are shorter than the summer days. Hence, the panels are not exposed to sunlight for the same duration as that during the summers. In most of the places, the sky remains clouded during the winter, which cause, less amount of sunlight to reach the solar panels, thus reducing the electrical energy required. If the place where you are staying gets a lot of snowfall, then there the panels may get covered by snow. Another reason as to why the amount of solar energy reduces. But then, you can always clean the panel's collectors and besides, in a day with bright sunlight, snow melts very easily. The photo-voltaic cells or the solar cells will get charged up, during winter too, hence there is no problem in using solar panels, thinking of their constraint during winter.

Our energy requirements are increasing every single day and the exhaustible sources of energy are reducing. The striking fact is that, in one second, the sun radiates that amount of energy, which is far greater than mankind has used till date. This justification, I think is enough as to why solar power or solar energy will take the form of the most used energy in the near future, once proper means are developed to harness it.