When making the decision to have a solar panel system installed on the roof of your home, you will definitely want to consider how much sunlight it will receive during a 24 hour period, something that is known in the industry as ‘peak sun hours’.
Representing a window of time each day when a solar panel system receives the most amount of sunlight, peak sun hours have a direct impact on the amount of power solar systems produce, and as such, is an important consideration when opting to go solar; let’s take a closer look:
What are peak sun hours?
When the sun is at its most intense – typically during the middle of the day – it’s capable of producing 1,000 watts of electricity per square meter during one hour, and this is defined as a peak sun hour. Solar panels are also tested and rated using this measurement, meaning that if you purchase a 9-kilowatt solar panel, it will be capable of producing 9 kilowatts of power during a peak period. That said, this represents the maximum output of the panels when conditions are favorable, and is no guarantee that the system will produce that much power every day.
What are the peak sun hours for Texas?
For a solar system to be a smart financial investment, it ideally needs to have a minimum of 4 hours peak sunlight per day, and with Texas coming in at 4.5-6, you could say it’s a bit of a no brainer. Any less than that though, doesn’t necessarily mean that switching to solar isn’t a smart financial investment, especially when you take other factors into account such as high utility charges in certain areas of the country, and federal tax credits which can offset the cost.
Why might solar panels not achieve maximum output during peak hours?
Solar panel electrical output is affected by a number of different factors, including (but not limited to) the following:
Each of these factors can have a direct impact on the amount of electricity a solar panel can produce at any given time of the day, and this includes peak sun hours.
You might not realize it, but even the type of electrical inverter system used on a solar panel system can affect its output. All of this means that even if your solar system is capable of producing a certain amount of power during peak hours, it may not necessarily do so, and there may be nothing you can do to control that.
While you should definitely consider the power output of a solar panel system before choosing to have it installed, you must be prepared for it not to achieve that consistently, if at all, depending on some, or all of the factors listed above. However, for most homeowners throughout Texas, solar systems are a solid investment that will save you money on your utility bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and provide you with a guilt-free, planet-friendly power source to be proud of.
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