Solar energy use in cloudy climates
Solar energy is converted for use by a photovoltaic (PV) system, such as solar panels, which work best in full sunlight. If you want to use solar energy on a slightly overcast day, you will probably only get half the power that is generated on a sunny day. If the sky is dark with heavy clouds, a PV system might only be able to produce ten percent of your energy needs. That is why a back-up battery is needed for your system, to store the energy for those days when it is simply too overcast to depend on solar power alone for your home.
If your PV system is connected to a power grid, then the utility company will provide the balance of energy needed if it is not a clear, sunny day, in order to keep your system fully functioning, but if you are off-grid, then you will need a backup battery or generator in order to have sufficient power. It is a compromise, but with a battery, at least you can still enjoy the benefits of solar power, depending on the weather.
Solar energy production depends on sunlight, not heat, so cold weather should not affect your system. However, if you live in a city or country where cloudy days are the norm, you might not be able to use solar power panels or other equipment that must be placed in direct sunlight for optimum use.
With regard to solar water heaters, one of the best types of solar heater you can buy is a thermosyphon solar water heater, which uses collectors placed under the heater tank. An evacuated tube collector, which has vacuum tubes inside is a very efficient type of collector, especially in cooler climates. The main advantage to using this collector is that the water is heated to higher temperatures than other kinds, and they also function better than other collectors in cloudy weather.
Until solar energy technology advances to the level where solar power can be created and stored in sufficient amounts regardless of the weather, consumers will have to make the best of the present situation.
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