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this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2024
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Asklemmy
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I've actually been shocked by how little production drops during winter. For example, we Feb & March, our coldest months this year, we produced 1.75 MWh/month, which actually beats every summer month before it, and is only beaten by this August, which was our highest producing month ever at 2.04MWh. Most summer months before that were closer to 1.5. Only thing I need to do is clear the panels after it snows.
What is likely the cause of this is one thing that people miss about solar panels. Their efficiency is a function of temperature. In the summer, you get more sunlight, but the panels themselves are hotter and thus lose efficiency. In the winter there is less light, but the panels make the most of every photon.
Well sonofabitch.
That explains why my setup starts cranking early in the morning, but is kinda piddly in the afternoon, when, by my eyes, there's even more direct light on them.
Had honestly never heard temp mattered at all