You’re probably aware of how solar panels boost your home’s energy efficiency and power independence. But have you ever wondered if they can actually help cool your roof? It’s a common question and one that has a surprising answer.
Many people assume that solar panels, which absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity, must also generate a significant amount of heat. And while it’s true that solar panels do produce some heat, it turns out that they can also have a cooling effect on your roof. In this blog post, we’ll explore the science behind this phenomenon and discuss how solar panels can help keep your roof cool. So if you’re curious about the relationship between solar panels and roof temperature, keep reading!
A study published by Jan Kleissl, an environmental engineering professor at the University of California — San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, revealed that solar photovoltaic panels could measurably cool a building’s roof. As part of the said study, Kleissl and his research team used thermal imaging to conclude that a roof’s temperature was about 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler when outfitted with solar panels.
The data for the study was collected using a thermal infrared camera on the roof of one of the school’s buildings for three days. The structure is outfitted with tilting solar panels and flush-mount solar panels. Some of the roofs are not covered with panels.
According to Anthony Dominguez, the project’s graduate student leader, the panels effectively function as roof blinds. Instead of the sun pounding down on the roof, which causes heat to be forced through the roof and into the building’s ceiling, photovoltaic panels absorb the sun’s radiation.
Perhaps the most exciting discovery, however, is that at night, solar panels also appear to hold heat in. This is great news for solar panel owners and enthusiasts, of course, because now we’re aware that investing in solar panels can not only save you money by generating electricity but by also keeping your cooling and heating costs down. While heating and cooling no longer account for the majority of domestic power usage, it is still by far the largest consumer, accounting for 48.5%.
Despite the fact that the data were taken over a relatively short period of time, Kleissl believes his team established a model that enables them to extend their findings to forecast cooling impacts throughout an entire year. Kleissl’s team admitted that if cooling your roof is your number one concern, there are certainly more efficient ways to go about it. But none of those other cooling options can produce electricity. Talk about hitting two birds with a stone by using a solar panel system.
While a 5-degree Fahrenheit reduction may not seem much, this is a significant reduction in temperature if you think about enormous industrial buildings looking to utilise solar panels for the first time. And the marginal insulation boost these buildings can get using solar panels might also add up to significant savings over a long period of time.
Get a Quote From Solar Galaxy for Your Solar Panels
In conclusion, we hope this blog post has helped clarify the relationship between solar panels and roof temperature. As we’ve seen, solar panels can actually have a cooling effect on your roof, thanks to their ability to absorb and deflect sunlight. If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home or business, we highly recommend reaching out to a trusted and experienced solar provider like Solar Galaxy. Our team of experts can help you determine the best solar panel solution for your needs and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote.
So don’t wait any longer to start saving money on your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint. Contact us now to get your free quote and take the first step towards a brighter, more sustainable future.
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