There will, however, be a drop in performance in the absence of direct sunlight. That’s because solar panels need 1000 W/m 2 of sunlight to reach their peak output; that much sunlight can only be achieved when there is direct sunlight shining. Do solar panels work in the shade?
In short, no, solar panels do not need direct sunlight to generate electricity. In fact, they can produce power in various lighting conditions, including cloudy and overcast days.
While solar panels are less efficient without direct sunlight, they continue to generate electricity in various light conditions, making them a viable energy solution even in areas with frequent cloud cover. What Is The Ideal Solar Panel Positioning?
How much direct sunlight do solar panels need? Ideally, solar panels require at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal performance. However, they can produce significant electricity even with less direct sunlight, especially if supplemented with indirect sunlight.
This diffused light can be caused by clouds, reflection off surrounding surfaces, or the sun’s position in the sky throughout the day. While the output will be lower than in direct sunlight, it still contributes to your solar energy production. How much direct sunlight do solar panels need?
That's because the hotter it is, the less efficient a solar panel becomes. (This is why most solar power plants are built in deserts where it is very sunny but not too hot.) Additionally, while direct sunlight is ideal, solar panels can also work effectively in indirect sunlight or shaded areas.