Do solar panels need direct sunlight?

No. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to harness energy from sun, they just require some level of daylight in order to generate electricity. That said, the rate at which solar panels generate electricity varies depending on the amount of direct sunlight and the quality, size, number and location of panels in use.

Do UK solar panels need direct sunlight?

They don't need direct sunlight, although they'll produce the most electricity when it's sunny. Despite our reputation for grey weather, the UK receives around 60% of the solar radiation found at the equator – a similar amount of solar energy as parts of France, Spain and Germany.

Do solar panels work in the UK?

Although the UK is not famously sunny, we do have enough sunlight for solar panels to work effectively. Solar panels work during daylight, even when it's cloudy or overcast, as they use light6 not heat to generate energy. They don't need direct sunlight, although they'll produce the most electricity when it's sunny.

Why should you install solar panels?

Installing solar panels lets you use free, renewable, low carbon electricity. You can sell surplus electricity to the grid or store it for later use. According to low-carbon certification organisation MCS , there were more than 183,000 solar panel installations across the UK in 2023.

Are solar panels a good investment?

Solar panel problems are common More than a million homes in the UK now have solar panels. They're a guaranteed way to use truly renewable electricity, but many people are not sure about whether to invest.

What happens if solar panels are covered by shade?

If a portion of solar panels is covered by shade, the individual solar cells in that area won't work at 100 percent capacity. However, the other panels will still be operating normally. This will decrease the overall electricity production of the system.