How Trees Affect Solar Panel Production

Heavily soiled solar panels.

How trees affect solar panel production.

8msolar engineers can calculate and advise on this shading effect prior to system installation. Trees buildings and even the horizon can create shading on a roof and on solar panels. Knowing what factors affect solar panel production is important to ensure that you get the most savings possible out of your system. To put this in perspective a 5 kw array may produce about 30 kilowatt hours kwh on a sunny day.

The reason shade poses such a major problem has to do with how solar panels are wired internally and to one another. It s a difficult truth but solar power and trees do not always get along. The manufacturers of solar panels state that anything that reduces or blocks the sunlight from reaching the panel surface will reduce energy production. But what was the actual effect on production.

The heavy ash sediment has been known to reduce power production by as much as 30 or more if not washed off. Shade from features in the immediate surroundings of your home can greatly affect the level of solar radiation reaching your panels. In a panel individual cells are wired in series so as to increase the module s voltage but they re only as efficient as their weakest link. If you have any other questions about solar panel production or would like to speak with one of our trusted solar educators please call 888 454 9979.

Trees and buildings or other landscape features such as hills can block incoming radiation and cast a shadow reducing the usable solar radiation. As we have seen many parameters are taken into account. However as we outline below proper tree placement and pruning can allow solar panels to function in proximity to shade trees. To know the annual production of a solar panel it is necessary to study your particular situation.

Researchers are aware of the problem and are looking for ways to boost productivity in shady conditions. Branches and leaves can block sunlight from hitting your roof which means your solar panels aren t maximizing their electricity production potential. Ironically maximizing those solar benefits may involve cutting down a tree or two. However as you no doubt know when you cut down trees you eliminate a valuable carbon dioxide co2 capturing organism.

A renewable energy laboratory study found that shadows over pv photovoltaic panels reduce power production by one third. Fortunately before deciding to invest it is possible to get simulations that will help you learn about the performance of a solar panel. The clean panels produced on average 0 7 more than the pollen coated panels. There s no denying that solar panels do not operate as well under shade.