How Efficient Are Solar Panels On A Cloudy Day

During cloudy days and seasons where the sun s hidden behind the clouds solar systems are less efficient.

How efficient are solar panels on a cloudy day. So in short it works just not as effective as a bright clear and beautiful sunny day. Though estimates range solar panels will generate about 10 25 of their normal power output on a cloudy day. Yes just not quite as well on a cloudy day typical solar panels can produce 10 25 of their rated capacity. The simple answer is that solar panels do work on cloudy days they just do not perform as well as they would on a bright sunny day.

Depending on your energy consumption on a typical cloudy day your solar panels will only generate roughly 10 27 of what it normally would than if the sun was out and pounding strong waves down to your solar panels. For that same reason solar panels can still produce electricity on cloudy days. Some kinds of panels are better at receiving diffuse light. The exact amount will vary depending on the density of the clouds and may also vary by the type of solar panel.

Obviously this amount is much less than during periods of direct sunlight but it is not nothing. Anyone who has gotten sunburned on a cloudy day knows that solar radiation penetrates clouds.