staff@slashgear.com (Erynn Ruiz)
2024-04-22 12:30:57
www.slashgear.com
While solar panels are engineered to handle extreme conditions, cracks do happen. Solar panels can crack in either too-hot or too-cold temperatures, so it’s crucial to check your panels’ ratings and keep an eye on the thermostat.
The good news is that there are some simple ways to protect your panels from extreme temperatures. Some solar panels are self-cooling, using technology that mimics the way humans sweat. By cooling themselves, the solar panels can increase output while reducing the likelihood of cracks or other heat-related failures.
The opposite problem happens in areas with harsh winters, though temperature drops alone are rarely significant enough to cause cracks. Instead, what becomes risky is when homeowners use water to remove snow. This not only adds more weight to the panels but could also cause cracks due to the sudden temperature shift.
In summer, hosing down your solar panels is a good thing; many owners report seeing noticeable changes in energy production after cooling off their panels on hot days. The improvement could also be due to cleaner panels receiving more solar energy.
If you haven’t bought your panels yet, choosing a sturdier one could mean less chance of damage in high temperatures. For example, monocrystalline solar panels have better heat tolerance than polycrystalline panels, which also need more space and sunlight.