Despite how long solar energy has been available, but it is still a very new, somewhat intimidating concept for most people. There are many things that people don’t fully understand, such as “Peak Sun Hours” and what it means when it comes to a solar panel energy project. At Kosmos Solar in Grand Prairie, TX, our team of experienced solar panel installation professionals understands just how important it is to have a clear understanding of all aspects of your solar panel project to completely comfortable and invested in the process.
The widespread popularity of solar power modules continues to increase as prices become more affordable. To help our customers, and our readers have a clearer understanding of the solar panel installation process and answer one of the questions we are most commonly asked, we decided to spend a little time on the topic. Determining the peak sun hours of a location is an important part of any installation process, and can have a huge impact on the rest of a planned installation.
The Basic Meaning of the Phrase
In short, the term “Peak Sun Hours” is used to label the time of day when your solar panel system would be operating with the most efficiency. When someone talks about peak hours, or peak sun hours, this is what they’re referring to. At the same time, things can get a little more complicated when you go deeper. A solar energy system’s power output can change as the sun moves throughout the day.
It should also be noted that this frame of time can change the same way seasons do. The way solar panels should be positioned and will function in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet will be different than the Southern Hemisphere for example. Depending on the climate and position of your home, there may also other factors to consider. If your house is located in an ideal position so that you get the most sunlight and longest days, you get the best results out of your solar panel system. You should also know that areas where there is a lot of rain tend to have fewer hours of sunlight than other, dryer locations.
How is This Period of the Day Predicted?
As you may have guessed, it is possible to predict the peak sun hours for a location, and this guides a professional installation team. Once an expert understands the unique daily cycle of your area, they should be able to install solar panels so they get as much sunlight as possible.
Most of this information can be found through reliable government sources, and often starts with a review of a solar irradiance map. Making sure this step is handled the right way is very important for homeowners and business owners who want to get the most out of their installation. One of the reasons you want to make sure this is handled properly is to get the most performance out of your solar panel system in the long run.
How Seasonal Changes and Weather can Have an Impact
The reality is that weather conditions like rain, and seasonal changes during the winter can have an impact on peak sun hours. This is nothing to worry about. Yes, indeed, the peak time in winter or during a particularly rainy period may not be as long as normally expected, but that does not mean that your solar panels do not produce any energy. The sun is still shining and the solar panels absorb everything they can. Keep in mind that solar energy will always accumulate, even on a cloudy day, so you might not even notice the difference in the end.
Ask Kosmos Solar in Grand Prairie, Texas for Professional Installation Advice
If you’re thinking about adding a solar panel power system to your home or business, then the last thing you should be doing is trying to get through all the research and information that’s out there on your own. By contacting our team as soon as possible, we can work with you to answer any questions you have about the installation process, and give you the support you need to have your system up and running in no time!
