The answer lies in the temperature coefficient.
The "Overheating" Panel
Solar panels are actually more efficient when it's cold. Most panels lose about 0.35% efficiency for every degree Celsius they rise above 77°F.
- At 107°F outside, your panels might reach 137°F or higher.
- This leads to a loss in efficiency of 11.6% or more.
The Increasing Load
Meanwhile, your AC unit has to work much harder to cool a 107°F room than a 89°F room. In April, you might need 500 watts of power; in July, you might need 1,000 watts.
The Solution: "Panel Up"
To ensure your Airspool unit runs exclusively on solar even on the hottest days, our rule of thumb is to oversubscribe your solar array. If your unit needs 1kW of peak power, installing 1.5kW of panels ensures that even after temperature-induced losses, you still have 100% free cooling.
Let the photons work their magic—just make sure you have enough of them for the peak heat. Explore solar panel options at Airspool.
