For those of us who live in hotter climates, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the heat from the sun. This can be a beneficial energy source when it comes to solar panels, but what about that heat that enters into our homes?
Solar panels aide in keeping your home cooler by shading your homes from the sunlight. They are designed with a few inches of space between the roofing and the panel, which further cools the air between your home and the solar panels themselves.
It is interesting to consider that having an extra space between the solar panel and the roofing of your home can aide in the downward plunge of temperature. So how does it work?
Having that extra space
When installing your solar panels, it is vital to remember that you must have a certain amount of spacing in between the panel itself, and what lies underneath. The reason being, that solar panels often heat up due to their solar intake.
But how does this help prevent them from overheating?
Having an open area in between the two surfaces will allow for air circulation to occur, effectively cooling down the solar panel, as well as any other area around or underneath the solar panel itself.
In which case, the solar panel would be capable of providing its own cooling system, keeping the surface underneath cool. And on a home, keeping the roofing cool, would also lower the temperature of the house.
Tip: Lowering the temperature of your home during the summer time, will aide in lowering your energy cost, as you will have to run the air conditioner less than you would on a typical hot and sunny day.
(Source: Do solar panels keep your roof and attic cooler? (thesolarnerd.com))
Shading from the sun
Another thing to avoid on a hot sunny day is, ironically enough, the sun itself. Bathing in the hot summer sun is only fun when you’re at the beach, or in a place where the water is cold, contrasting against the heat of the day.
Our homes, much like us, are functioning in much the same way. They need a source that can properly cool them down and contrast the temperature against the heat. This cooler source is typically in the shadows, where the sun can no longer reach.
In order to be able to bask your home in the shadows, you need something specific to block the solar radiation and heat from entering your home. In this case, a solar panel can function as the intervention needed between your home and the sun.
Your solar panel will be able to effectively block the sun’s rays from hitting your roof. Which, between the cooling draft underneath and the shadowed effect of blocking out the sun light, will keep your home at a cooler temperature than before.
Reflection and Energy Conversion
Solar panels are also capable of reflecting the heat off of their mirror-like surfaces. Which is another way for the heat to be bounced off of, rather than absorbed by the roofing of your home.
The panels absorb a good portion of the solar energy, leaving about Eighty percent to be able to warm the area below, which is the cooled further by the draft that flows between the two surfaces.
Fun Fact: As the solar panels continue to absorb the solar energy, blocking out the sun’s rays, and allowing the familiar draft of cool air to lower the temperature in between, the temperature of your home will greatly decrease.
For your information: This only functions according to the placement of the panels. If there is not sufficient space in between the panel and the roofing, then the draft will not be cool enough. It will not be as effective in lowering the temperature of your home
Warning: These factors will not completely lower the temperature of your home. You will still face the issue of cooling your home to the desire temperature, as the solar panel will not function as a thermostat.
Consider the benefits
It is important for us to consider what could go wrong, and what could go right, based off of the decisions that we make. So what benefits does cooling your home have?
- Helping the environment – The “heat Island Effect” has been going on for a while. In which, the roofs of our homes can absorb as much as twenty two degrees Fahrenheit during the whole of one day. Then, later releasing the heat at night, causing further damage to the air and environment.
For Your information: In this case, Cooling your roof would aide in lowering damaging effect on the environment. In fact, it has become a goal for environmentalists, that the temperature of a typical roof is lowered during the day to cool the rising night time temperatures.
- A cooler home – In both connotations of the word, you can have a cooler home, a place that everyone wants to be on a particularly hot sunny day. You can sleep better, live better, and your solar panels will also provide necessary energy for every day activities.
- Warming your home – The solar panels aide your home in being warmer in the winter as well. Which, again, aides and not having to use as much power to keep things running.
(Source: Do solar panels keep your roof and attic cooler? (thesolarnerd.com))
(Source: Do Solar Panels Heat or Cool Your Roof? | EnergySage)
What could go wrong?
There is another side to consider when purchasing your solar panels. As there are a number of things that could potentially go wrong, depending on where you are, and what is needed for your home and environment.
- High temperatures – Solar panels have the potential for overheating and not providing as much solar power, as their efficiency decrease with each rise in temperature.
- Cold Climates – Solar panels can be easily damages by colder climates. Whether it is snow, ice, or other debris, the solar panels can be damaged. And if water enters into the cracks of the solar panels, or the damages increase, then this can cause problems with the solar energy intake of the panel itself.