The basics
Solar power in Dunedin
What it is, how it works, and why the Dunedin climate suits it better than most people expect.
So how does solar power in Dunedin work?
Solar power is one of the world's fastest-growing energy resources and is now more affordable than ever. With a good return on your investment, it is easy to make the smart choice. The sun provides us with a perfect power source.
Grid-tied systems harness the sun's rays and convert them into electricity to be used in your home. Solar power is not reliant on heat, only sunlight and UV rays, and Dunedin receives 1600 sunshine hours a year, which makes it an ideal area to benefit from solar power usage.
People are becoming more aware of the need for cost-effective renewable energy sources. Solar is proving to be just that. With no pollution, no emissions and no carbon footprint, easy to set up and eco-friendly, it ticks all the boxes.
1600 sunshine hours a year
Panels run on light and UV rather than heat, so Dunedin's sunshine hours matter far more than its temperature.
Cool air is an advantage
Panels lose output as they heat up. A cool southern breeze keeps them nearer their rated operating temperature.
No emissions, no fuel bill
Once the system is on the roof there is nothing to burn, nothing to deliver and no ongoing fuel cost.
Does solar power in Dunedin actually perform?
You may be surprised to know that a well-installed PV solar system in Dunedin, with a good northerly aspect and little or no shading, will perform similarly to or better than an equivalent system in many areas of the North Island, including parts of Auckland. That performance advantage, even with less solar radiation, comes from the colder temperatures of the Dunedin climate, which allow for lower levels of performance degradation due to panel heat.
Most solar panels are tested and rated at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and that is the temperature at which the panel will produce its maximum rated power. In Dunedin we can have an air temperature of 20 degrees with full sun, which lifts the panel temperature well over the 25 degree threshold. However, when we factor in the slight to medium strength cool wind we experience most days, that cooling effect can bring the panel temperature back down to or even below 25 degrees, which can push the output to more than the rated power of the panel.
The practical upshot is that roof aspect and shading matter far more here than latitude does. That is exactly what we assess before we quote anything, so you get a realistic generation figure for your own roof rather than a national average.
Where to from here
If you want to know what solar would do on your particular roof, the next step is an assessment. It costs nothing and there is no obligation at the end of it.