How Temperature Affects Solar Panel Efficiency

In the interest of saving money and reducing their carbon footprint, more people around the world are investing in renewable energy solutions for their homes and businesses. No longer too expensive for the average middle-class worker in the United States thanks to the availability of solar power loans and tax breaks, solar energy is becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels.

While solar can be a great way to save on power bills and reduce the need for energy loans, the efficiency of solar panels depends heavily on the environment. Changes in temperature have the greatest effect on how well a solar panel functions.

Like all semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells are sensitive to temperature. A photovoltaic cell is designed to collect light, so the cells themselves are typically dark-colored. However, in addition to light, dark colors also absorb more heat. 

As the temperature of a panel rises, the energy of the electrons in the cell increases. As the energy of electrons increases, the energy difference between electrons is reduced, reducing the electric potential of the cell. In addition, less energy is needed to break the bonds between molecules in the solar cell. 

PV Education explains that, “The open-circuit voltage of the cell decreases with temperature…with higher voltage cells being less affected by temperature.” A field experiment in the United Kingdom found that photovoltaic cells dropped by about one percent of peak output for every increase in degrees Celsius above 42 degrees (about 107 degrees Fahrenheit).

This temperature sounds extreme, but photovoltaic cells can easily reach this temperature on sunny days where the atmospheric temperature rises above 87 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurs often during the summer months in many part of the world.

With this in mind, it’s no wonder that solar cells function best in cool but sunny climates. Cold materials are better conductors of electricity, meaning that when temperatures are below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), the output of your solar cell can actually exceed the manufacturer’s listed maximum output for the cell.

For this reason, cold, high-altitude areas such as the Rocky Mountains, the southern Andes and the Himalayas present the highest potential for solar power generation. While the initial cost of installation would be high if not offset by government loans, it is forecasted that covering only four percent of the Himalaya’s high potential regions could provide power for all of China.

There are many things to take into account before investing in solar installations for your home. Location, housing ordinances, energy needs and costs all factor into the decision. Think about how your climate will affect solar panel output before you look into solar power loans for your residence.

Natalie Benoy is a renewable energy writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter