3 ms·

the winter has plenty of sun and few clouds.

• szvsw 2y ago
  Irradiance of a surface is lower at the same time of day (think of shining a flashlight perpendicular to the ground vs at an angle) and the number of hours the sun is above the horizon is also less. Lower power at any given time of day and for fewer hours of the day. Here’s a figure to demonstrate that: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Monthly-output-from-solar-panels-kWh_fig5_334364148 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Monthly-output-from-sola... Any basic irradiance analysis of a surface in any day lighting simulation software will clearly demonstrate this. Additionally, in winter, the peak energy usage will often be well past sunset in many locations around the world (and it will get even more pronounced with heating electrification). This is why batteries+wind will be very important.
  • throwaway14356 2y ago
    I was very surprised the difference is that small. Intuition would suggest there to be a lot of sun in the summer given how hot it gets. The day is roughly half as long but you get 40-50% per month ??? Really a lot more than I imagined. Not sure if that involves changing the angle.(which would complicate things) It isn't a popular or sensible technology atm but sterling or other heat engines do work and they work even better if there is a cold source. There are experiments with heating water with solar voltaic. I read they are reaching 70% energy conversion. It seems there is lots of room for further tinkering. 40% isn't bad tho
• KptMarchewa 2y ago
  It depends where. In Poland, we had whole 7 hours of sun this December.