When your chosen solar company is in the process of choosing the components of your system, they will take into account your local weather conditions to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Understanding the typical weather patterns in your location helps in sizing the solar system appropriately to meet your energy needs.
Factoring in variables like temperature fluctuations and seasonal changes can help select the right type of solar panels and optimize their placement for maximum sunlight exposure. By considering your local weather, you can work with a consultant and install a solar PV system tailored to your specific environmental conditions.
Understanding Peak Hours
Understanding peak sun hours is essential when considering solar. These hours differ from total sunlight hours, as not every hour of daylight possesses the necessary intensity and solar insolation to be classified as a peak sun hour. Cloud coverage is another factor in peak sun hours. Heavy cloud cover diminishes the power of solar insolation.
Typically, a peak sun hour occurs when the sun’s strength hitting a solar panel yields at least 1,000 watts per square meter. While this figure may seem arbitrary, it signifies a threshold at which most solar panels operate efficiently, avoiding underperformance caused by insufficient or indirect sunlight.
Below, we’ll be discussing how a difference in peak hours seasonally changes your solar output.
Solar in the Spring
Spring is the ideal time to go solar in Atlantic Canada for several reasons. As the days grow longer and the sun’s intensity increases, solar panels can capture more energy, maximizing electricity generation during the peak sunlight months. This early start allows homeowners to accumulate energy credits through net metering, which can offset higher electricity usage in the winter. Additionally, spring installations mean you can take advantage of the entire summer’s solar potential, leading to quicker payback periods on your investment. With rising electricity rates in the region, switching to solar now can help lock in savings and provide greater energy independence. Plus, various incentives and rebates available in Atlantic Canada make the financial benefits even more attractive.
Preparation for Peak Seasons
To prepare for peak solar production in the spring without performing physical maintenance on your panels, focus on monitoring their performance through a solar monitoring system, optimizing your energy usage during daylight hours, and ensuring your solar inverter is functioning correctly. Additionally, review your net metering agreement to maximize energy credits and stay informed about weather forecasts to anticipate high solar generation periods. These strategies will help you make the most of your solar system’s efficiency during the peak season.
Solar in the Summer
While the winter you may have a lower overall production based on shorter days with less sunlight, the summer sees a turn in productivity. In comparison to winter’s brief 2.16 peak hours in Nova Scotia, summer sees a jump to 4.02 hours daily on average – almost doubling solar potential!
Longer Days, Increased Production
Summer stands out as the pinnacle of solar energy production. It benefits from the longest days of the year and extended daylight hours that maximize solar panel efficiency, allowing for ample amount of sunlight absorption and energy generation.
This period offers prime conditions for solar systems to achieve high output levels, which can translate into increased electricity production and greater energy independence and helping to make up for a slower winter season.
Heat vs. Efficiency
While it may seem intuitive that more heat would lead to increased efficiency, excessive heat can actually diminish the performance of solar panels. Fortunately, this is not a common concern for Atlantic Canadians, as solar panels are designed to withstand temperatures up to 65°C without failing. Their optimal operating temperature is around 25°C, with a slight decrease in efficiency starting to occur above 35°C.
When panels become too hot, their efficiency decreases, resulting in reduced energy production. It’s important for solar panel owners to be aware of this phenomenon and consider ways to mitigate heat-related efficiency losses, such as ensuring proper ventilation and maintenance to optimize performance in varying temperature conditions.
Tips for Optimizing Summer Solar Power
How can you ensure that your solar PV system operates at full capacity during the summer months? Here are some things to consider:
- Cooling Technologies: Explore options like panel cooling technologies that use water or air to lower the temperature of the panels. These systems can help regulate the temperature and improve efficiency. Fortunately, in Atlantic Canada, we benefit from our natural cooling system—the wind.
- Regular Maintenance: And we don’t mean climbing on top of your roof to check if your panels are still attached! Just keep an eye on your monitoring system to ensure everything is running smoothly. If you notice any inconsistencies, call your installer—this is a job for the pros.
- Time of Installation: If possible, schedule the installation of your solar panels with consideration for the time of year for your install spring is the ideal time to set your install up for great production year-round.
Solar in the Fall
Fall marks a transition to dropping temperatures, falling foliage, and a gradual decrease in daylight hours as the days grow shorter.
Solar Production Shoulder Season
Despite this shift, fall often emerges as a robust season for solar energy production. The crisp and clear days of autumn, typically accompanied by lower temperatures, create favorable conditions for solar panels to operate efficiently.
The angle of the sun during fall can still provide ample sunlight exposure, allowing solar systems to harness significant energy despite the diminishing daylight. Solar energy generation during the fall season can remain substantial.
Leaf Fall and Light
As autumn leaves begin to fall, solar panel efficiency can be impacted by debris accumulation. The presence of leaves on solar panels can obstruct sunlight exposure and hinder energy production. Luckily for us in Atlantic Canada, the wind will most of the time take care of this by itself.
Proactive measures such as installing leaf guards or screens around the panels can also prevent debris buildup, allowing solar systems to operate at optimal levels throughout the fall season.
Solar in the Winter:
Atlantic Canada’s winter brings shorter days and scenic snowfall. Peak sun hours in Halifax, Nova Scotia, during this season average 2.16 per day. That doesn’t mean that your solar PV system isn’t working or generating power. You may actually see some benefits to the cooler weather.
Snowfall and Solar Production
A heavier snowfall can blanket solar panels, reducing sunlight absorption. This can diminish energy production during the snowy period, but the good news is a light dusting of snow in winter can actually benefit solar panels. Instead of impeding energy generation, this thin layer serves as a natural reflector, directing sunlight onto the panels. Which also helps melt the snow away.
As the snow melts or slides off the solar panels, it can help clean them, removing dust and debris that may have accumulated and improving energy generation once clear.
Cold Weather Efficiency
The misconception that solar panels are ineffective in cold temperatures is just that—a myth. In reality, solar panels can be more efficient in colder conditions due to a few key factors, according to a study by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Until now, it was estimated that PV solar panels lose about 20% of their energy because of snow buildup and cooler temperatures in winter. The five-year NAIT study found the energy loss to be much less at only about 3%.
We now know that cold weather can enhance the conductivity of the panels, enabling them to convert sunlight into electricity more effectively. While snow may temporarily reduce output, it can also act as a reflector, potentially boosting energy production once cleared. Therefore, far from being hindered by cold temperatures, solar panels can thrive and demonstrate impressive efficiency even in chilly climates.
Year-Round Solar Considerations & The Importance of Battery Storage
Solar battery storage plays a pivotal role in addressing seasonal variations in solar production by providing a reliable solution to manage energy fluctuations effectively. In Atlantic Canada, where seasonal variation is more impactful than in other parts of the country, this is a great investment.
During seasons where sunlight exposure fluctuates, such as in winter or during periods of inclement weather, solar battery storage allows excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours to be stored for later use.
This stored energy can then be utilized during times of low solar production, ensuring a continuous and sustainable power supply even when sunlight is limited. By integrating battery storage with solar systems, users can optimize energy usage, reduce reliance on the grid, and increase overall self-sufficiency – especially if you are off grid.
There’s never a bad time to go solar with the right expertise but now is the perfect time! Solar energy in Atlantic Canada presents a promising opportunity year-round, showcasing the resilience and potential of solar power even amidst seasonal variations.
With the right expertise and guidance, solar energy can be a viable and sustainable choice, no matter the season. Start your installation today and let Solar U help you maximize your annual savings!With the right expertise and guidance, solar energy can be a viable and sustainable choice, no matter the season. Start your installation today and let Solar U help you maximize your annual savings!
