Electricity isn’t cheap. In 2019, the average American household’s electricity bill cost $115 per month.
Additionally, using too much of this energy source isn’t great for the environment. You may have noticed people in your area starting to put solar panels on their roofs to cut down on the amount of electricity they are using.
You might be wondering if this option is worth the cost before you get too attached to the idea of purchasing new ones for your house. The truth is that solar panels work differently depending on geographic location.
Keep reading to learn about why this happens and why it should influence your decision to get them.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Two layers of the semi-conductor, silicon, sit inside a solar panel. These layers are where the electrons live. When the sunlight hits it, the electrons start moving across the semi-conductors and create electricity.
From there, the wires inside the solar panel capture that energy and send it to an inverter. It exists as direct current (DC) electricity as it travels through those wires. Once it enters the inverter, it gets converted to alternating current (AC) electricity, the type of electricity most homes run on because it can travel miles to get your home.
Solar panels collect more energy on sunny days than they do cloudy ones. However, that does not mean that it’s purposeless on days when the sun isn’t out. The solar panels will capture the indirect sunlight and store that energy too.
How Climate Affects Solar Panels
Because the sun feels stronger on hot days, you would think the solar panels will capture more energy. However, this is not always the case.
According to Science Focus, when the temperature increases to the point where most of the electrons are already moving around, the solar panel doesn’t produce as much voltage as it would with lower temperatures. Additionally, humidity also affects the efficiency of a solar panel.
This study found that it can decrease its power by up to 15-30%. The high concentration of water vapor in the air can stick to the solar panel and reflect sunlight instead of allowing it to pass through.
However, if you live in a humid place, you can purchase a solar panel equipped to handle these conditions. This solar installation company will create customizable panels for your home and budget. Plus, it comes with a 25-year warranty, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of repairs for a long time.
Do Your Research Before Purchasing Solar Panels for Your Home
Before making the switch to solar panels, do your research to see if it is a cost-effective option for you. Don’t rule out this energy option just because you live in a cold climate. It comes down to the amount of sunlight your location receives, so check with your local solar panel company to see if it would be worth the change.
Want more information about how to be more environmentally friendly? Check out the rest of the blog.
