How Solar Panels Works When There Is No Sunlight?
So… Does it mean I won’t have solar energy at night and cloudy days?
If you have been wondering whether solar panels work at night, you are definitely not alone. To choose to rely on this renewable energy for your home electricity use in the long run, it’s important to understand how solar panels can be a reliable source of power during night time when there is no available sunlight.
Easy, remember this!
1. Solar panels have yet to be able to produce electricity at night when there is no sunlight.
2. Fret not, there is a solution. The revised Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme allows you to use excess electricity generated during the day at night.
Solar Storage Makes it Possible
Yes, solar power does not work in the darkness, but it is diligently storing the sunlight during day time. When the night time draws in, the non utilized or excessive electricity is stored in batteries or feeding back in the grid. Hence, the power needed then comes either from the batteries or the grid. As you have already known, power that comes from the grid offsets your monthly electricity bill significantly.
(For this, you can refer to our previous blog entry titled “How can Solar PV Help Lower Your TNB Bill” )
Your panels might produce more electricity than you need during the day (especially with the sunny days we have almost daily in Malaysia). Therefore, the solar grid serves as a form of reliable energy storage — even at night.
Even On Cloudy Days? Absolutely!
Technically, solar panels do work on days when the clouds cover above us. It would be accurate to say that on days like these, they just do not perform just as well as they would on a bright sun-rich day.
Contrary to what you might expect though, places with cloudy climates yield higher numbers of solar energy installations. It is after all the cost of electricity that tops the deciding factor for solar panels, not the amount of sunlight you can see. As a result, home owners like you reap major benefits in terms of bill saving and a brief break-even point.
Also another comforting factor (if you have not realized), we have ample sunlight which is consistent all year long. Occasionally, in the presence of clouds, panels yield better performance because a cloud can reflect and sometimes magnify sunlight, resulting in additional power output from your solar panels.
All in all, solar panels do not work against you, nor the night time and the cloudy days. The key is always evaluate your electricity consumption thoughtfully and get professional consultation to find a solar energy system to power your house at the right price and in safe hands. To get a better feel for the real cost and installation, register yourself here where you can receive a comprehensive and friendly professional perspective on this coveted renewable energy panels.
