August 8, 2019
Florida gets hot — real hot. No breaking news here. But with triple-digit temperatures on the horizon yet again this summer, many Lakeland homeowners that have been considering solar panel installation have also wondered “can solar panels overheat?”
Your roof takes the brunt of the Florida sun, so of course with solar panels mounted on your Lakeland roof, you will want to be careful to protect your investment from sun damage. But as a Florida solar installer serving Polk County, SolEnergy knows a thing or two about solar panel design and how you can keep your solar panels in tip-top shape — even in the heat of summer!
But let’s get right to the point...
Solar Panels Are Built For The Heat!
A solar panel without the sun is just a big, expensive rectangle. So, it stands to reason that a solar panel is designed from the get-go to withstand the sun’s rays. This is of course within reason, and a solar panel is most efficient in temperatures between 19ºC and 35ºC, which translates to 67ºF and 95ºF. So what happens when the surface of a solar panels does rise above this optimum range (here in Florida, solar panels can reach a surface temperature of up to 65ºC/149ºF)? This is where the temperature coefficient of a solar panel comes in.
Solar Panel Temperature Coefficient
Every solar panel is tested and given a rating, called a temperature coefficient. This gives an estimate of how much efficiency a solar panel will lose for every degree above 25ºC. This coefficient can range from -0.3% up to -0.5%, meaning that in the heat of summer a solar panel could lose up to 20% of its output. Lost yet? Here’s the math:
A solar panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.3%. On a particularly hot day, the solar panel heats up to 65ºC (149ºF). 65º is 40º higher than the industry standard 25º. So we multiply the coefficient by the difference between the two temperatures — 40 x 0.3 = 12% reduction in efficiency.
A 12% loss in energy production may not be the most ideal situation, but your solar panel is not going to incur any damage.
How To Plan For Hot Solar Panels
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are designed to have no moving parts, and require no maintenance. So when it comes to caring for your solar panels in the extreme heat, you don’t need to do a thing! It may be tempting to spray your solar panels down with some cool hose water. But do not give in to this temptation! Spraying your solar panels with water can lead to water unnecessary water stains and irreversible damage.
The best thing to do for your solar PV system is to make sure your system is designed for the heat from the get-go. This is done by trusting a local solar contractor that is familiar with the climate here in Polk County.
Trust SolEnergy with Your Solar Installation
Now that you know the importance of choosing a solar panel product that has a favorable temperature coefficient for your home’s needs, it is equally important to partner with a solar contractor that will design and install your solar PV system for maximum efficiency. SolEnergy knows the ins and outs of solar energy here in Lakeland and Polk County, and we have designed and installed countless efficient systems for our customers — or as we like to call them, our friends and neighbors.
We can even help you harness more of that Florida summer heat, with a solar hot water or solar pool heating solution for even greater renewable energy savings! Our innovative SolDek technology can reduce your home’s water heating costs down to nearly nothing, while discreetly operating underneath your roof.