One of the biggest myths we hear at Novus Energy is:
“Solar panels only work when it’s sunny.”
And if you live in the UK, especially up north, that might sound like bad news. After all, we’re not exactly famous for endless blue skies.
But here’s the truth: solar panels work perfectly well on cloudy days.
In fact, the UK’s climate is ideally suited to solar generation, and Yorkshire is proof of it.
☁️ Solar Doesn’t Need Heat, It Needs Light
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not sunshine.
The photovoltaic (PV) cells inside each panel absorb light particles (photons) and convert them into electrical energy.
That means even when the sky is overcast, your panels are still producing power, just at a slightly lower rate than on a clear summer’s day.
To put it simply:
- A bright, sunny day = maximum output
- A cloudy day = around 30–60% of maximum output
- A dull, rainy day = still generating, just less
And here’s something most people don’t realise: solar panels actually perform more efficiently in cooler temperatures.
Excessive heat (above 25°C) can slightly reduce their output, which makes our mild UK climate ideal for steady, reliable solar generation all year round.
📊 Real Data from Yorkshire Homes
Let’s look at a real example from a 4kW solar installation we fitted in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Even during the darker winter months, this system consistently generates:
- January: ~120–140 kWh
- February: ~180–200 kWh
- March: ~260–300 kWh
By comparison, in summer those figures rise to 400–500 kWh per month, but it never drops to zero.
That means even in the middle of winter, the system is still:
✅ Powering daytime appliances
✅ Charging the home battery
✅ Reducing reliance on the grid
✅ Saving the homeowner money, every single day
Across Yorkshire, our residential systems generate an annual average of 900–1,100 kWh per kW installed, meaning a 4kW setup typically produces around 3,600–4,400 kWh per year, regardless of weather.
🌦️ How Panels Capture Low Light
Modern PV panels use anti-reflective coatings and high-efficiency monocrystalline cells that capture a broad spectrum of daylight, not just direct sunlight.
Think of daylight like a range of invisible colours. Even when clouds block the sun, diffused light still reaches the earth’s surface, and your panels are designed to use it.
It’s why you’ll often see your solar monitoring app still showing generation even when it’s gloomy outside.
At Novus Energy, we only install Tier-1, high-efficiency panels with excellent low-light performance, meaning your system works hard, even when the Yorkshire skies don’t.
🔋 Why a Battery Makes Cloudy Days Even Smarter
Pairing your panels with a solar battery makes cloudy-day generation far more effective.
Here’s why:
- During bright spells, your system stores surplus energy instead of exporting it.
- Later in the evening (or during darker hours), you can draw power from your battery.
- This means you’re using 100% of your solar generation, not just what’s produced in real time.
Even on variable weather days, battery storage smooths out your usage and reduces grid dependence, keeping your home powered efficiently all year round.
🧠 The UK Solar Advantage
Despite the clouds, the UK is one of the most promising countries for solar power in Europe. Here’s why:
- We enjoy long daylight hours in spring and summer, up to 16 hours a day.
- Cooler temperatures help panels maintain higher efficiency.
- Energy prices are still among the highest in Europe, making solar payback faster.
- Incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) let you earn from surplus power.
So while you might not need sun cream, you can definitely rely on your panels to perform.
🏠 The Novus Difference
At Novus Energy, every system is designed with real UK conditions in mind.
That means:
✅ High-efficiency panels built for low-light generation
✅ Smart battery storage for consistent power
✅ Full DNO approval, MCS certification and aftercare
✅ Honest design, no overpromising, no underdelivering
We’ve installed hundreds of systems across Yorkshire, from Halifax and Bradford to Harrogate and York, proving that even under cloudy skies, solar works brilliantly.
⚡️ Thinking About Solar Panels?
☁️ Cloudy doesn’t mean powerless.
Even on grey days, your panels are still generating energy, reducing your bills, and cutting your carbon footprint.
If you’ve been holding off because you think “it’s not sunny enough,” think again.
Solar is designed for light, not heat, and there’s plenty of that in the UK, all year round.
🌤️ Ready to Find Out What Your Roof Could Generate?
We’ll give you a free, no-obligation quote showing exactly how much power your home could produce, even under typical Yorkshire skies.
📲 Get a free quote today, simply fill out the contact form below or call us on 01422 768113