Do Solar Panels Work For Mountain Homes?

Mountain living comes with its own set of challenges, and electricity access is definitely one of them if you live in a particularly rural area. That’s why solar panels are a good option to consider. Most likely, you’ll have grid power to rely on, but self-sufficiency in remote areas has long been a part of mountain culture. Solar panels are a perfect way to honor that way of life, and the panels also help the environment by providing a clean, renewable source of electricity. 

So if you’re wondering: Are solar panels right for my mountain home? We’re happy to tell you that solar panels are a great choice for you! We’ll cover a couple of the biggest advantages solar panels can offer you based on your environment. 

Cloud Cover Does Not Limit Sun Access

Mountains often bring cooler, cloudier climates with them. This alone may bring some doubts regarding solar panels’ efficacy for your electric needs. But don’t worry, seeing cloud cover does not mean solar panels are out of commission. Sunlight travels through clouds even at their thickest and most obscuring. Just because it’s a gloomy day doesn’t mean your solar panels won’t produce electricity for your home. 

However, it is worth noting that solar panels do not produce as much energy on cloudy days as they do on clear days. You may need to rely a little more on grid power on those days, or utilize stored electricity from your battery backup system. One of the only times your solar panels cannot produce electricity for your home is overnight, since there’s no way to gather sunlight. As long as the sun is out, even if you can’t see it yourself, solar panels are at work. 

Lower Temperatures Could Work To Your Advantage

You might think that the warmer the weather is, the more effectively your solar panels will function. It’s a common misconception! Solar panels actually work best in cool, sunny environments. With lower temperatures, solar panels lose less potential electricity to heat, meaning you get more power to use. 

Curious why this is the case? On hot days, the sun heats up the solar cells, putting the electrons in them into a more excited state. When electrons are in this state, they don’t have as much capacity to turn sunlight into electricity. So it is an advantage to live in the more temperate, likely cooler climates mountains often provide. 

So during the summer in the mountains, those lower temperatures will help your panels, as will the cooler temperatures seen in spring and fall. Best of all, that extra electricity could lead to potential savings on your electric bills. Over time, those savings could add up to thousands of dollars. 

Choose Solar Power For Your Mountain Home

Your local Pink Energy team knows the challenges — and the beauties — of living in and around the mountains. We can answer any remaining questions you may have about whether solar panels are the right choice for your home. Our American-made monocrystalline solar panels are an efficient, powerful choice for your home’s solar needs. Ready to go solar with us? Let’s get started.