Do Solar Lamps for Outdoors Charge on a Rainy Day?
It's the rainy season once again and normally during this season, the amount of rain-time is much longer than the amount of sun-time. In a tropical country like ours, we often rejoice when there is sufficient rainfall, however when it is more than what we expected, it normally becomes catastrophic to some of our industries like farming, fishing and transportation.
Debunking the Myth
For Solar Energy Systems, where the heart that pumps the energy of the system starts with good enough sunlight exposure, will the rainy season be also helpful? Are the solar lamps for outdoors getting enough charge and power during these days? Will it still be 100% functional?
These are some of the most pressing questions we often encounter in terms of lighting solar lamps for outdoors.
And the answer is always YES.
Science Shows the Answer
Solar panels are made up of silicon crystals that are designed to be sensitive to light density not only to sunlight density. As long as the light density is enough and sufficient, the solar panels will be able to collect them and store them in sets of cells called batteries.
Direct sunlight carries more than enough light density upon reaching our planet, in fact most of our light sensitivity measurements are based or referred to in one way or another to direct sunlight. Even during cloudy or rainy days when direct sunlight exposure is limited or being blocked by these thick rain clouds, the light density that can reach us from the sun is still enough for the solar panels to collect and convert into electricity. Sunlight is so powerful that it can penetrate any thick clouds above and more often than not, clouds also reflect these direct sunlight.
Sample Scenarios
Remember the time of volcanic eruptions where volcanic ashes covered the sky and created a very hazy daytime, yes, the light density during those times is still enough to charge these solar panels. This is how sensitive these silicon crystals are.
There were also numerous reports that even three or four days of continuous rainfall did not affect the charging capacity of most solar lamps for outdoors in the country, simply because the solar lights still can charge.
Moreover, the charging efficiency of solar cells is increased when the temperature above the solar panels is low, hence during the rainy season, charging efficiency is on the highest.
Street Solar lamps for outdoors are often equipped with lithium-ion batteries that can store electrical charge enough to operate solar street lights for about 15-20 hours straight. So there is no need to worry about charging solar lights during cloudy or rainy days because science suggests that it can.
Final Tips
It is suggested though that during installation of solar lamps for outdoors, it is better to have a direct and longer exposure to sunlight, perhaps sunlight from 9AM to 4PM. Likewise, installation of these street lights must be at an angle from 10- 30 degrees so as to prevent rain water from settling on top of solar panels which can damage the water-proofing of the panels.
Take note also that not all solar lamps for outdoors are water-proof, hence during rainy days these solar lights should not be exposed to rain. Kindly check with your supplier for the IP rating of your solar lamps for outdoors or indoors.