What is Peak Sun Hours?
If you are planning to set up a solar energy system, you might have encountered the term peak sun hours, which are essential for such systems to generate power.
Whilst the term is exceptionally crucial to understand to fully utilize solar energy, only a few people know its meaning.
That is why we have formed this guide, which will not only discuss peak sun hours but also their importance and factors that help to determine the peak hours in your area.
So, without wasting time any further, let's jump in.
What is peak sun hours?
Sun peak hours are referred to as those hours of the day when the sun is at its highest. That means its sunshine has the utmost heat and energy.
They typically occur when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky, with its sunshine directly traveling towards the earth.
How to find the sun peak hours according to your area?
The sun's peak hours differ from country to country and region to region. There are multiple applications and solar irradiance calculators available out there you can use for this purpose.
Download it from any app store you use (Play Store or apple store) and fill in all the required requirements, and it will help you know the hours.
You can also check out the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which offers insights about maps and tools to know the exact hours.
Or, you can find these hours manually. Just head outside of your house and look at the sun. Map the times at which it is seen exactly above your head. Note these times for at least a month and take an average.
The average you get is the peak sun hours in your area.
Importance of sun peak hours
Let's delve into some points explaining the significance of peak sun hours for energy generation.
1.Solar energy production: Solar panels have voltaic cells that absorb heat from the sun and convert it into energy. Hence, the stronger the sun's rays, the more energy can be produced.
2.Gardening and agriculture: An extensive range of plants need full sun. Hence, during the peak hours, they get full sunlight which is essential for them for the process of photosynthesis.
3.Health and safety: Peak hours of sun also enhance health and safety. When the sun's rays are in their most potent form, they can help recover multiple deficiencies, such as vitamin D and calcium.
4.Independence: During the sun's peak hours, the solar system can generate more energy than it needs, which can be stored in the batteries. When the sun is gone or doesn't rise on rainy days, the system can use this stored energy to fulfill its energy needs, thereby helping to become fully independent in power needs.
Top three tips to utilize sun peak hours
Pay attention towards the angle
Locate the solar panel where it is easily accessible to the sun's rays. For better performance, the solar panel should be exposed to more sun. It is suggested to adjust the angle by lighting it towards the correct angle for maximum exposure.
On the other hand, it is far better to keep the solar panel neat and clean for increased efficiency. Buildup of dirt, debris, and dust can reduce its efficiency and productivity.
For outdoor activities
To reduce substantial UV disclosure, plan fun outdoor activities. Playing games, having a picnic, and swimming are ideal ways to make the most out of the sun's peak hours.
These activities are most loved to be enjoyed during late afternoon or early morning. These times of the day are perfect to be experienced without giving yourself a suntan.
Connect it with the system
Peak hours can be used to generate an immense amount of electricity. Hence, make sure to attach a high-quality and high-capacity solar system to use the generated power later.
Factors that affect Sun peak hours
Geographic location
The nearer a country is to the equator, the more often and consonant the peak sun hour will be over the whole year. The reason behind this is that the closer the equator is, the more sunlight will be received, while the area far from the equator will not receive the powerful and spined-out sunlight.
Season
The season determines the sun's peak hours. In winter, the sun's hours are less and not very intense, while in summer, they are stretched and powerful.
Time of the day
The time of day is another determinant of the sun's peak hours. Generally, the time from 10 am to 4 pm is considered the foremost sun peak hour.
At these times of the day, sunlight is relatively robust and more muscular, making it an ideal time for generating solar power and having a day out.
How to avail the most benefit of sun peak hours?
Although we have discussed some ways through which you can avail the benefit, those tips will only be worth the effort when you have high-quality solar battery storage systems to store it. Innotinum has multiple options to meet your tailored needs, including the IES- H0, IES- H1 and IES- L0.
For those setting up the system for the first time, check out the all-in-one solar systems, which are specifically designed to establish a completely off-grid power system without introducing any complexities.
Final words
On the bottom line, sun peak hours are those hours in a day when the sun is at its peak. Hence, it transmits more light which can be helpful to generate some extra energy.
The content above explains all the information you must know about such hours, including what are sun peak hours, the importance of peak hours, and the factors that influence them. So, make sure to read the whole content from start to finish to reap the full benefits of it.