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Can My Solar Panels Charge from Moonlight?

If you want to get the most out of your solar panels, you may be wondering if your system will continue to generate electricity if the moon is shining down on your property. This is a common question that we get asked a lot, but the answer isn’t so simple. That’s why your trusted experts at Solar Bear Dallas are here to explain to you whether or not solar panels can charge from moonlight.

The Science Behind Moonlight

What is moonlight, exactly? You may be surprised to find out that the bright shine that we see radiating from the moon is technically sunlight that’s being reflected off of the moon’s surface. Although this is an incredibly fascinating fact, you may be asking if that means solar panels can absorb moonlight since it’s coming from the sun. The correct answer is yes, solar panels can absorb the moonlight…but it might not be nearly as much as you’re thinking.

How Much Energy Can I Get From Moonlight?

Those expecting to power their home solely on moonlight will be disappointed to learn that solar panels generate less than one percent of what they would normally gather during peak sunlight hours. For example, a solar panel that would typically generate around 300 watts of power from a full hour of direct sunlight will only be able to collect a single watt of moonlight energy after an hour. The results will be even lower during a night with a quarter moon, or plain zero during a new moon. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s completely impossible to run your home on solar energy at night.

What Is a Solar Storage Battery?

Any excess energy that your solar panels generate would normally be sent back to the power grid and bring you a lower electric bill in exchange. This is also known as net metering. But if you invest in a solar storage battery, that extra energy can be stored away for later use such as for nighttime activities. If you’re a night owl, you can continue using your appliances and other electronics just as you normally would with your solar battery reserves so that nothing goes to waste.

When Your Solar Battery Gets Full

Solar storage batteries are an excellent way to ensure that you get the most out of your solar panels, but it is possible for them to get full and potentially overcharge the system thus wearing it out faster. To prevent this, you can get an inverter or charge controller to redirect the flow of energy once the battery hits its limit. The best part about this is that you can have your system redirect the excess power back into the main grid so you can continue receiving net metering benefits.

Ask Solar Bear Dallas About Solar Batteries

If you’re interested in a solar storage battery so that you can continue using solar energy at night, you can seek out the assistance of solar professionals at Solar Bear Dallas! We’re the best place in Texas for all of your solar panel needs, all you have to do is call (727) 471-7442 and our friendly staff will be glad to assist you.

How Efficient Are Solar Panels in Cold Weather?

If we told you that solar panels can actually work better during the winter, you would probably think that we’re lying. After all, how would that even be possible if solar relies on the sun being at its peak? We know this can be a bit confusing, but Solar Bear Dallas is here to help put the truth into perspective!

How Lack of Heat Affects Solar Panels

When it comes to solar panels, you might think that less heat means less effectiveness. Believe it or not, a lack of heat has nothing to do with how well solar panels work. This is because solar panels gather most of their energy from the UV rays themselves whereas heat has nothing to do with it. The cells that are found underneath the panel casing are designed to take in the light so as long as the sun continues to rise, your solar panel setup will continue to generate electricity just like any other normal day.

Cold Weather Prevents Overheating

Does that mean there’s no benefit to cold temperatures when it comes to solar panels? This is another misunderstood fact since solar panels can work better in cold weather. If you think about it, solar panels are made up of electronic parts. Like with most electrics, warm temperatures can cause them to overheat and either slow down or shut off altogether. While solar panels are equipped to handle direct sunlight, they’ve been known to drop a tad under maximum efficiency at over 77 degrees whereas the cold has no negative effects.

Solar Panel Installation During the Winter

Wintertime is actually the best time to get new solar panels installed because it’s easier for contractors to work in the cold than in the smoldering heat of summer. Happy contractors mean a better job, so do your local solar panel company a favor and call them up when it’s cold! Plus, it’ll be nice to have your solar panels ready to go by the time spring rolls around as you’ll likely be using up more energy as it gets warmer. This way, everybody wins!

Is There a Downside to Solar In the Winter?

The only weather condition that would slow down your solar panels would be cloudy conditions which can technically happen any time of year but is most prevalent during the winter. However, there is still a way around this with the help of solar batteries. When the sun is shining bright and your panels gather extra energy, whatever you don’t use can be stored in a solar battery to be used during cloudy days so nothing goes to waste and you’ll almost always have access to solar energy!

Let Solar Bear Dallas Install Your Solar Power System!

For the most efficient solar panel setup in Texas, call the experts at Solar Bear Dallas! We’ll install high-quality solar panels that work wonders no matter the time of year. Just give us a call at (727) 471-7442 for a free estimate on affordable solar panels near you!

Does Rain Effectively Clean Solar Panels?

If you have a solar panel system, you may be wondering how often they need to be cleaned. Most people don’t clean theirs as often as they should, and a dirty solar panel can have a big impact on the amount of energy that is generated by your system.

With all the rain we get in Florida, you might think that rain effectively cleans solar panels, but we’re here to tell you that just isn’t the case. Keep scrolling to learn why!

Will Rainwater Clean Solar Panels?

While rainwater can help clear dust off your panels, it can leave rings of dust and debris when it evaporates, which can negatively impact how efficiently your panels work.

So if rainwater won’t adequately clean your solar panels, what will?

Cleaning Your Solar Panels

Learning to clean your solar panels goes a long way toward extending the life of your panels in the long run. Solar panels degrade at a rate of 0.5% a year, and regular maintenance and cleaning will do a lot to slow this rate down and keep them producing power at an optimal rate.

Solar panels often get dirty due to dust, leaves, water, and bird droppings. In the solar industry, we consider birds to be enemy number one because their droppings can chemically damage solar panels and some like to nest underneath panels too. This can restrict airflow and cause the panel to overheat.

How to Clean Solar Panels

Before you clean your solar panels, you will need to invest in the right equipment so you don’t damage your system.

Equipment needed includes:

• A simple garden hose. Don’t use a pressure washer, as this can damage the panels.
• A cleaning brush with soft bristles or a squeegee.
• A gentle solar panel cleaning solution. You can create this with vinegar, mild detergent, and water. Always avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your solar panels.

Solar Panel Cleaning Steps

Step 1: Choose a cool time of day to being cleaning your solar panels. Cleaning them during the hottest part of the day can make the water evaporate quickly and leave soap marks behind. Plus, cold water hitting hot glass can cause the solar panels to crack.

Step 2: Shut your system down before cleaning. I

Step 3: Remove any loose debris like leaves with a soft brush or cloth. It is safest to clean solar panels from the ground, so use a brush with an extension if your panels are high and out of reach.

Step 4: Spray panels with a garden hose to wash away dust and loosen debris. Use a hose with a nozzle so you can direct the spray at the panels.

Step 5: Use a soft brush and solar panel cleaning solution to scrub any stubborn grim off the panels.

Step 6: Spray the panels again to rinse them and use a squeegee to wipe any leftover water from the panels.

We recommend cleaning your solar panels every six months or less to keep them clean and operating at peak efficiency.

Solar Bear Orlando

If you don’t already have a solar panel system, but want to install one, look no further than Solar Bear Orlando! We are Central Florida’s premier solar company and can get you set up with your very own solar system so you can take advantage of Florida’s ample sunshine.

Contact us for a consultation today; (727) 471-7442!

Can A Solar Battery Run My Home If I Lose Power?

Did you pull a Christmas Vacation and string up a little too much lighting this year? Worried it may cause a power outage and make you the talk of the neighborhood? But you should be good if you have solar panels…right? Maybe. Solar Bear of Tampa shares more on solar batteries below and how you can prepare your home should the holiday cheer go into overdrive.

Houses that install a rooftop solar panel system tend to connect to the electric grid in their area. This connection allows homeowners to draw power from the electrical grid at night or when their panels aren’t producing enough to keep up with their home’s energy consumption. This partnership also works reversely, where panels that overproduce can send power back to the grid through net metering. In this case, your system uses the grid as a “battery” instead of storing power in an actual battery to store energy produced. So when a power outage occurs, these grid-tied solar panel systems are designed to shut down. This is a safety precaution that protects utility workers from live electricity injuries during repairs. But, it also means you have no backup power available.

However, if your system includes a solar battery, you may be singing “Joy to World” if an outage occurs. A solar battery may provide a seamless transition from the grid to battery backup power. With this installation, a system will keep the power on by “islanding,” or disconnecting itself from the grid when an outage is detected. During the blackout period, the system will continue to charge the batteries during daylight and then discharge them during nighttime hours. Essentially, you could keep your home running on this system as long as the batteries have enough capacity. There are many types of solar batteries available. Our team of professionals can help you determine the best type for your energy needs during our complimentary evaluation.

Solar battery systems – they’re a beauty! If you’re interested in learning more about the power of solar batteries, speak with our team at Solar Bear of Tampa. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!