As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west the sun is at its strongest when it sits north in the sky at midday.
Best time to use solar panels.
Although it depends in part on the tilt orientation of your solar panels generally speaking the best time to run your appliances is between 10am and 3pm when the sun is high in the sky.
Here s how you can get the most value out of your solar investment.
Solar panels on northern roof.
If you have a pool pump for example you can set your timer to operate between these times.
So the answer to the time of day question is possibly the morning if your panels are facing the right way.
If you participate in net metering without tou rates solar panel systems that face south are the best option to maximize your electricity production.
If you can t clean your panels from the ground hire a company.
That means if you have panels installed on your northern roof the best time to utilise your solar electricity is anywhere from mid morning to the afternoon.
The best time to use power is at night and early morning typically between 5pm 7am.
Solar electricity yields are highest between spring and autumn.
Use power at the right times.
When and how often to clean your solar panels early morning or in the evening ideally on an overcast day is best.
Indirect sunlight won t be as effective but you can still obtain power when it s overcast or even when it s raining.
Using your appliances at the right times can make a big difference to your bill.
But this will be less effective over time as the sun will soon move and your panels will lose the morning effect.
Some panels have better temperature tolerance than others look for a lower temperature coefficient and are therefore a better choice in hot climates.
As most energy is generated during the day by scheduling the use of appliances to the daytime a household is more likely to use their own solar power instead of paying for someone else s in the evening.
Although solar panels function best in direct sunlight they will still work on cloudy days.
Solar panels should always be placed to make the most of the sun for the longest time possible.
Even in winter it is best to use home appliances during the day instead of the evening.
Solar panels to suit a very hot climate.
However if you install solar under a tou rate with a late afternoon peak you may want to install solar panels that face west to improve your afternoon electricity production.
You can very conveniently run electric lawn mowers hedge trimmers or lighting off solar electricity.
This is also the time of year when the garden requires the most work.
If you have a solar battery you can use it to power led lights in your garden in the evening and at night.