Daylight Savings are over! What does it mean for solar homeowners?

Daylight savings are over and with the clocks going backwards and winter approaching we will see a reduction in sunlight hours. Although this means that there will be a shorter time frame for your solar panels to harvest energy there are still plenty of sunlight hours to tap into, to power a home and charge a solar battery.

solar panels work more efficiently in colder temperatures than in warmer temperatures

The Sun’s Positioning

As the days get shorter in Autumn the sun gets lower in the sky. This can cause more shading issues than in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky. You may notice a slight reduction in the energy production of your system as the sun will not be hitting the panels at an optimal angle.

The good news is that solar panels work more efficiently in colder temperatures than in warmer temperatures, so although your panels will be subjected to less UV light, they will be able to harness the power from the UV light better than in summer.

Monitoring

Improvements in monitoring software for solar PV systems means you can keep an eye on how much energy your system is producing through your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Viewing the software weekly lets you check that your system is working as it should.

It’s a great way to learn about the capabilities of your system and to grasp what times you use most of your power, enabling you to evaluate your energy consumption habits.

Energy Usage

Knowing how to time your energy consumption throughout the day is vital in keeping your bills low during daylight savings. Utilise the sunlight hours by using as much solar energy during the day as possible.

Top Tip : You can also check the weather forecast for the week and plan your weekly usage around the sunny days. 

 

Installing a Battery

Still concerned that your solar system won’t be producing enough energy to power you through winter? Consider installing a solar battery to harness the excess energy you are generating during the sunlight hours, ready to use after the sun goes down.

A solar battery can reduce your dependence on the grid during the evening, by using the energy you’ve generated in the battery.