The answer to the first question is yes; solar panels can work without direct sunlight. The matter of fact is solar panels use daylight energy to produce electricity, and they do not need direct sunlight to work. A surprising answer, isn’t it? Well, the reason is that the photons in natural daylight get converted into electricity by solar panels.
Both forms of sunlight carry photons, which is what the solar panels convert into electric current. If there is no direct sunlight available, solar panels will produce electricity using indirect sunlight alone. There will, however, be a drop in performance in the absence of direct sunlight.
Solar panels produce electricity using a combination of direct and indirect sunlight as inputs. Both forms of sunlight carry photons, which is what the solar panels convert into electric current. If there is no direct sunlight available, solar panels will produce electricity using indirect sunlight alone.
Despite the reduction in direct sunlight, panels can still generate electricity from the diffuse light during rainfall. Snowy conditions can pose more significant challenges, as snow accumulation can block sunlight. However, once the snow is cleared, solar panels can perform efficiently in cold temperatures.
During the summer months, longer days and higher sun angles provide more direct sunlight, boosting energy production. Conversely, shorter days and lower sun angles in winter reduce the amount of direct sunlight, though panels still produce electricity from available indirect sunlight.
Solar panels can endure periods without sunlight, but they will not generate electricity during these times. They rely on sunlight to produce power, so their output will be minimal or zero during nighttime or prolonged overcast conditions. However, any stored energy in batteries can be used when solar panels are not actively generating power.