Does a Solar Roof Generate More Power in Summer?

Summer is almost upon us and with it comes the usual flurry of activities that most people look forward to, like vacations and outdoor adventures. Summer is also a particularly exciting time for solar roofing system owners since sunlight plays an important role in solar production. Does summer, however, improve your summer solar performance? Coleman Roofing provides some insight into this matter.

Hot Weather = Solar Energy?

It’s a pretty straightforward concept—energy from the sun is captured by solar panels and then converted into useful energy for your home. Since these solar panels work directly with the sun, long, hot summer days exposes them to high amounts of heat. Naturally, you would arrive at the conclusion that since solar panels rely on sunlight to function, then the heat also helps them run more efficiently. That’s not always the case, though.

It’s true that solar panels use sunlight to produce energy, but they don’t actually require heat in any way. In fact, commercial roofing contractors find that solar panels exposed to continuous heat of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher may be about 10 to 25% less efficient.

Mitigating the Negative Effects of High Temperatures

Since intense heat can lead to some energy output loss, it’s become important to find ways to reduce this impact so you can enjoy optimal energy output all through the season. These include:

• Like with metal roofs, you’ll want to make sure that your solar panels are constructed with light-colored materials to reduce heat absorption.
• Install panels a few inches above the roof. This will allow convective air flow to cool the panels down.
• Make sure components like inverters and combiners are kept in a shaded area.

Need to know more about solar roofing systems? Coleman Roofing is the company to call for your residential and commercial roofing systems. We serve residents of Lafayette, LA, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (225) 379-7663 or (225) 304-4848 or fill out our contact form to get started.