Solar panels can get quite hot, especially under direct sunlight. The exact temperature that solar panels can reach depends on various factors, including ambient temperature, sunlight intensity, panel design, and ventilation. On a sunny day, solar panels can heat up to temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 65°C (149°F) or even higher.
When considering solar panels for hot climates, pay attention to the temperature coefficient. This tells you how much efficiency the panel loses for every degree above the standard test temperature of 25°C (77°F). Panels with a lower temperature coefficient, closer to zero, perform better in high temperatures.
As such, the manufacturer’s performance ratings of solar panels are usually tested at 77°F (25°C) or what’s called “standard test conditions.” To get a bit technical, solar panels are rated with specific high and low “temperature coefficients” that represent efficiency losses related to temperature changes above or below 77°F.
On that note, the operating temperature of solar panels is about 185 degrees Fahrenheit. This seems high, but solar panels operate at a much hotter temperature than the air around them. That’s because, as you’d expect, they absorb the sun’s heat and have to handle those hot daily temps!
To get a bit technical, solar panels are rated with specific high and low “temperature coefficients” that represent efficiency losses related to temperature changes above or below 77°F. For example, let’s say your solar panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.35%.
Solar panels do not necessarily stop working at a specific temperature. However, their efficiency may decrease as temperatures rise significantly above their optimal operating range. Solar panels typically have a temperature coefficient that quantifies their efficiency decline with increasing temperatures.