Solar panels are one of the most energy efficient ways to power your home. Not only do they help save you money on electricity bills, but they also do an excellent job at reducing your carbon footprint.
But how do solar panels function?
Sunlight strikes solar panels and causes an electron flow in their silicon, creating an electric current. This current can then be sent to your home’s electric distribution box and used to power essential items like lights, televisions and laptops.
However, your solar panel’s efficiency drops when temperatures rise. That is because photovoltaic cells cannot convert as much of the sun’s energy into electrical current at higher temperatures.
That is why investing in an efficient solar panel system is the best way to avoid your panels from overheating. The most reliable solar panels are made from monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, a widely available and long-lasting material.
The ideal solar panels have a temperature coefficient that predicts how its efficiency will decrease as temperatures rise. If the panel’s temperature exceeds 1 degree Celsius above its designed 25degC threshold, it will no longer produce electricity.
But how much of that decrease is caused by the panels?
When mounted on your roof, they create an opening for hot air from above to escape and cool your attic and roof down. This helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home – warmer in the evenings and cooler during daytime hours – so you’ll stay comfortable all year round!
Recently, scientists at UC San Diego discovered that solar panels can effectively reduce the amount of heat that enters buildings’ roofs. This helps combat the heat island effect which often causes urban buildings to feel warmer than their environment.
Solar panels may not cause as much of a heat island effect in your home because they use less energy than other cooling methods. Furthermore, you are able to better control your heating and cooling costs, as well as increasing the efficiency of your HVAC systems.
Many people worry that solar panels will make their homes hotter, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, some studies suggest they may actually help cool your house slightly.
But that doesn’t guarantee a cool home in summertime. You still need to turn on your air conditioning and heater in order to stay comfortable indoors.
Make sure your attic and windows are adequately insulated during summer months to avoid your house becoming too hot. High-quality attic insulation will help retain heat inside and prevent it from escaping out, thus decreasing your energy bill.
When shopping for solar panels for your home, be sure the company you select provides warranties on their products. These may include product guarantees covering defects in panels as well as ones guaranteeing that a certain percentage of rated output will be achieved over an agreed upon period of time. This warranty can be an important factor when making a decision on which solar panel to purchase.