Do Solar Panels Work on A Cloudy Days?

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Yes, solar panels work on cloudy days. However, solar output typically decreases significantly in cloudy conditions. Determining the impact overcast conditions have on the output of solar panels is difficult; as there are many different types of clouds.


It is a long-maintained theory that solar panels can still produce between 10 – 25% of their rated output in cloudy conditions. However, this applies a very broad brush to a range of different cloudy conditions and does not account for the difference in weather conditions at different geographic locations.

In all likelihood, rooftop solar panels will produce more than 10 – 25% of their output in cloudy conditions, as this estimate relates to low-level cloud cover.

What are cloudy conditions?

The main difficulty in determining the effect of output due to cloudy weather is that there are all sorts of different cloud types. The Bureau of Meteorology has come up with a list of 10 main cloud type classifications:

High cloud: 

1. Cirrostratus

2. Cirrus

3.Cirrocumulus

Middle cloud: 

4. Nimbostratus

5. Altostratus 

6. Altocumulus 

Low cloud:   

7. Stratus  

8. Stratocumulus  

9. Cumulus 

10. Cumulonimbus

So now we have a classification for the cloud types, but what effect does each have on solar output?

Studies on the effect of clouds on solar output

A study conducted by monitoring firm Solar Analytics on the effect of clouds on solar found diminished rates of output for different types of cloud. Using real-time monitoring of solar systems located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, the study concluded that different cloud levels decreased output at the following rates:

  • High level cloud: Solar output largely unaffected
  • Overcast conditions: 50% reduction in output
  • Low-level dark cloud: Solar output reduces by 70 – 90%

The study is useful in that it shows the impact on production by high-level, overcast and low-level cloud cover, but it is hard to classify the clouds, and quantify the cloud density and strength.

Study concludes cloud cover impact is impossible to measure!

Keep on reading...

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