#PVWatts

Higher Efficiency in Cold Weather Doesn't Mean More Power: The Temperature Myth About Solar Panels

Solar panels hit peak efficiency under standard test conditions of 25°C and 1,000 watts of sunlight per square meter, but actual power output also depends on hours of sunlight, cloud cover, and installation angle. Temperature coefficients published by REC and Qcells reveal just how much real-world output is lost in hot weather.