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Baby, it's cold outside: 3 types of weather and how solar works with each

Baby, it's cold outside: 3 types of weather and how solar works with each

(Courtesy of Solaroo)


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Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

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It's January in Utah, which means that on any given day one can expect changing climate from snow or rain, clouds, clear blue skies, and the dreaded inversion. For those that own solar, when bad weather hits they aren't just asking themselves how their morning commute is going to go, they are also wondering what kind of output from their solar system they are going to get that day.

Not surprisingly, one of the biggest questions people have when considering going solar is, "how will weather affect my solar system?" Especially here in Utah where there is a wide array of weather conditions and each one can have an effect on solar. The good news is that there is good news.

Today, Solaroo Energy walks us through the varied climates and tells us what we can expect, production-wise, from your solar system.

1. Clouds, rain and inversion

"Of course with anything running off of solar power, when clouds cover the sun it reduces the productivity and can decrease it between 40 percent and 90 percent, depending on how dark the clouds are," says Director of Operations at Solaroo Energy, Kelly Curtis.

2. Snow

Mr. Curtis says "a good solar company is going to plan with you, to make sure your solar panels are in the best possible place to avoid things like snow. However, avoiding snow coverage altogether is not 100 percent possible."

A few things to note, however, is that your solar panels retain a fair amount of heat and therefore snow is less likely to stick and cause any issues.

3. Heavy wind and hail

"Utah doesn't see much by way of hail on a consistent basis, however, Solar manufacturers, especially the ones we use, have done extensive testing to make sure that can endure hail of about one inch at speeds of 50 mph," says Mr. Curtis. According to Mr. Curtis, the manufacturers have also done quite of bit of design work to make sure that solar panels can withstand high winds.

Mr. Curtis goes on to remind us that, "as in all things, nothing is every 100 percent guaranteed, which is why we always recommend that you include your solar panels as part of your Home Owner's Insurance policy to cover any damages that you may incur.

"Even though inclement weather can affect your solar production, it is important to remember that most solar production estimates factor in decades of local weather data. So they will already reflect what weather normally happens—which includes rain, snow, clouds, etc. The great thing about going solar is, yes you might end up with a week or two of rain or inversion, you might have some snow as well, but what matters most is how much sun your solar system is soaking up throughout the whole year, and this is where you see the amazing benefits to going solar."

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