Welcome back to another post on your go-to blog serving as a lighthouse for all things solar. If you are one of the many enthusiastic individuals considering joining ranks with various solar companies, or perhaps you are simply contemplating installing solar panels for your home, this update is poised to fuel your solar ambitions.
The sun has been exceptionally generous in North America this February. According to Solcast, a discerning component of the global solar landscape, a warm end to winter has swept the region. Eastern regions specifically experienced irradiance (the measure of solar power hitting the earth) that soared as high as 30% above normal. Imagine the surplus electricity that residential solar array owners could have produced and continually enjoyed throughout this period.
Let me draw a clearer picture. The atmospheric conditions during this record-setting February were a true boon for solar. A strong low-pressure system situating further east than usual over the Atlantic brought about calm, dry, and super sunny conditions that graced the east coast all the way down to Mexico. This resulted in an irradiance influx between 20-30% higher than the norm.
This extraordinary weather was an ally to both large and small scale solar producers. An excellent illustration of the abundance enjoyed is depicted by the performance of residential solar panels for your home in the East Coast; these exceeded expectations by peaking at 3.52GW, signaling a 23% more solar generation than last year after adjusting for capacity increases.
If you’re considering a solar array for home use, these figures are incredibly promising. Imagine waking up every day to the prospect of generating surplus electricity, enough to run more than just your essential appliances, courtesy of a strategic investment in a solar provider.
Entities falling under the umbrella of utility-scale generation were not left out either. ERCOT, to highlight one, smashed its generation peak record by hitting 17.2GW on February 20th.
To my dear solar enthusiasts continually tracking the performance of solar companies, an integral part of solar developments worldwide, these are exciting times. There are essential lessons on the unpredictability of irradiance, but more importantly, the increasing potential of solar for renewable, clean energy.
Undeniably, climate change, as evidenced by increasing temperatures and extreme weather patterns, emphasizes the need for sustainable energy practices. Investing in solar, either on a larger, company scale or through installing a solar array for home use, is a worthy consideration.
As we wrap up, keep in mind that fluctuations in irradiance are part of this industry. Yet, just as February has pleasantly shown- the prospects are bountiful. And with the course that we’re steering and the rapid adaptability and resilience of various solar companies, solar power is steadily nearing its golden age.
Stay tuned as I continue to unwrap, dissect, and deliver cohesive analyses of the solar company landscape to help you make the most of your solar experience.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/08/weather-records-tumble-across-u-s-as-atlantic-pressure-keeps-eastern-skies-clear/
