Solar panels thrive despite weather conditions 

Due to advancements in solar technology, today’s panels are more durable, efficient, and can handle all kinds of weather for many years. How does weather influence the performance of solar panels? People everywhere want solar power but many people are afraid that solar panels only work in the perfect climate, and that is simply not true. 
 

Solar panels can withstand rain

Rain is no problem. Just like clouds, the sun’s rays get through and get absorbed by the solar panels. Similarly to cloudy weather, rainy days do not halt the production of solar energy.  As an added benefit, the rain will give your dusty solar panels a free cleaning, which will help your PV system be even more efficient when the clouds clear. You also don’t have to worry about water damaging those panels because they are all made with a strong backing sheet, barrier films, and tempered glass.

However, direct strikes are considered rare, and if you live in an area that is frequently stormy, you should be more worried about being hit indirectly. Indirect strikes of lightning close to your solar PV system would induce an electric surge, breaking down the conductors. Such a strike can also cause dangerous sparking, damaging the solar panels and igniting combustible materials. 

If there is a high chance of lightning storms in your area, you need to consider protective measures early on in the design stages of your system. A good homeowners insurance policy will also guard against those natural disasters, even if something only happens to the solar panels. 
 

Primed and ready for snow 

If your solar panels are completely covered with snow, they will stop producing electricity. It is true that light passes through water drops and ice, but when ice crystals are piled on top of each other, as in a snowstorm, the light is so obscured, that it does not get all the way through. Much of it is reflected back into the atmosphere.  Fortunately, professional solar installers take snowy weather into account and will angle solar panels in a way that will allow the snow of slide off. If your panels do get covered in a snowstorm, you can either wait for the snow to melt or you can brush it off. Because solar panels are dark, they absorb more heat and can speed up the snowmelt anyway.  

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years. For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.