Is the UK Sunny Enough for Solar Panels to Work?

It is a common misconception that solar panels will not work in the grey and cloudy UK - despite its reputation for having grey and cloudy weather, the UK has more than enough sunlight to power solar panels. It may surprise you to learn that the UK gets similar amounts of radiation as parts of Spain and France! So yes, the UK is sunny enough for solar panels to work. In fact, the UK gets around 60% of the solar radiation found in the Equator and, in some areas in the south, it receives a comparable amount of sunlight to that in Germany, one of the biggest markets for photovoltaics in the world.

Do Solar Panels Work in Bad Weather?

Put quite simply, yes they do! One of the great benefits of solar panels is that you don’t necessarily need the sun hitting hard for solar panels to work. Even though they will produce more power during a sunny day, they can still produce a considerable amount of energy when the days are cloudy. Solar PVs use light to produce electricity, not heat.

What about Wind?

Although high wind speeds commonly found in the UK could be a concern to anyone wondering about the efficiency of installing solar panels, wind can actually be beneficial for domestic solar panels since it can serve as a cooling mechanism for the PV modules, leading to an increase in their efficiency.

Even in Snow?

Winters in the UK have turned a little more aggressive, bringing heavy snow to large areas of the country every year. This can be a problem for solar panels since it might accelerate their ageing. But you shouldn’t panic. There’s always a solution. Solar panels should be installed at an angle that maximises their performance and panels can be treated to make their surface resistant to a build-up of snow and eliminate the risk of the solar panel not working. The good news is that some snow lying around can in fact increase the panel’s performance by reflecting the sun’s photons back up from the ground.

Need More Information?

Don’t let misconceptions about our weather prevent you from going green, request your free, no obligation Quote or give us a call on 01242 370 308 to discuss installing solar panels on your property.