8 hours ago
Will a heatwave help your solar panels perform better?
High temperatures can slightly reduce the efficiency of solar panels, despite longer daylight hours increasing overall generation.
solar panels perform optimally at 25 degrees Celsius or below, with efficiency decreasing by approximately 0.34-0.5 percentage points for each degree above this temperature.
During the UK's record 40.3°C heatwave in July 2022, good solar panels operated at about 5 per cent below their peak efficiency.
Despite the heat, the commercial solar sector performed well during the record heatwave, contributing 8.6 per cent of the UK's electricity needs that day.
Investing in solar panels can be beneficial for homeowners, with payback periods ranging from 5 to 13 years depending on factors like system size, roof orientation, and electricity usage patterns.
solar panels have a long lifespan of up to 30 years, making them a viable long-term investment, especially with future heatwaves expected to be longer and hotter in the UK.
