Solar power is one of the UK’s largest renewable energy sources and therefore we’re asked a lot of questions about it. Here we address some of the most frequently asked questions, myths and misconceptions surrounding solar energy, solar farms and solar panels.
Do solar panels need bright sunshine in order to work?
No. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to harness energy from sun, they just require some level of daylight in order to generate electricity. That said, the rate at which solar panels generate electricity varies depending on the amount of direct sunlight and the quality, size, number and location of panels in use.
Even in winter, solar panel technology is still effective; at one point in February 2022, solar was providing more than 20% of the UK’s electricity.
Solar panels installed on Church roof (Image: Tanjent)
Do solar panels stop working if the weather gets too hot?
While it’s correct that solar panels can be less efficient in hot temperatures, this reduction is relatively small. According to Solar Energy UK, solar panel performance falls by 0.34 percentage points for every degree that the temperature rises above 25°C. Plus, the longer days and clearer skies mean solar power generates much more electricity during the summer, even if their efficiency falls slightly.
Read more: nationalgrid
