One of the most frequent questions we get is simply, “Do solar panels work at night? And what happens in the rainy season?” We completely understand these concerns, especially in a country such as India, with its months of monsoon rain and the critical importance of power reliability needed for homes and businesses.
Since 1997, Inter Solar Systems has been working in the solar industry, and we have witnessed solar operating in all four seasons – blistering summers, torrential rains, and cloudy monsoon months. The reality is, solar technology is actually far more reliable and versatile than most people realize.
In this blog, we will explain exactly how solar panels work in different seasons and why Inter Solar’s technology provides year-round reliable performance.
How Solar Panels Generate Electricity
Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight by converting it into direct current (DC) electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells. The solar panel collects photons from sunlight and generates DC, and then an inverter converts DC into usable alternating current (AC) electricity.
A common misconception is that solar panels need heat to work, but in fact, they only need light. This is why panels keep generating power on cloudy days and even rainy days — albeit at lower output.
At Inter Solar, all of our Mono PERC and TOPCon modules can still perform in low-light conditions, and they are designed with India’s variable climate in mind.
Do Solar Panels Work at Night?
The short answer is “no” — solar panels do not generate electricity at night because they have no sunlight.
At best, panels may capture some minute amount of ambient light created by the moon or nearby streetlamps, but there is not enough light to power a house or business.
To keep the lights on after dark, solar systems have two options:
- Battery storage: Lithium battery systems store any excess energy created during the day for later use after sunset.
- Net metering: Any surplus power generated during the day is exported to the grid, and users receive credits that can be used at night.
At Inter Solar, we integrate both these solutions into our projects. From residential rooftops to industrial setups, our clients enjoy uninterrupted power supply after dark, whether through storage or smart grid connectivity.
Do Solar Panels Work in the Rainy Season?
The answer is yes, though the output will be lower.
Here’s why:
- Visible light passes through clouds and rain, even during overcast days. PV cells use this diffuse sunlight and convert it to usable electricity.
- Rainy days average about 10% to 50% of peak capacity output based on the thickness of the clouds and intensity of the rain.
So what’s the good news?
- Rain helps solar panels. It cleans off dusty and dirty surfaces that accumulate over time, allowing for efficiency again when sunny days return.
- Modern innovations, such as UV-transparent encapsulants, also help solar panels perform better when there is low light.
- For homes and businesses alike, this means solar is a reliable power source during the monsoon season.
Do Solar Panels Work in Cloudy Weather?
Again, the answer is yes—but at lower output.
- On a standard cloudy day, we estimate panels lose about 10%–25% of their output, compared to sunny days.
- Even under these conditions, solar is capable of generating 33% to 76% output depending on the thickness of the cloud cover.
- Interestingly, there is a phenomenon called “the edge-of-cloud effect.” This occurs when sunlight is refracted around the edges of clouds, and allows the panels to receive bursts of higher-than-usual amounts of energy.
This shows that cloudy weather doesn’t stop solar — it only slows it down. With Inter Solar’s TOPCon modules engineered for low-light performance, our systems are built to deliver consistent output even when the skies aren’t clear.
Solar Panel Performance in Monsoon
India’s monsoon season is known for heavy rains and weeks of cloud cover, which does slow generation time, but does not completely inhibit it.
- Solar panels will, in fact, still work on diffuse sunlight that comes through the clouds.
- Seasonal rains also act to clean your panels and reduce the need for manual panel maintenance.
- Aside from some extreme weather conditions like hailstorms or cyclones that can cause physical destruction to panels, we believe solar presents no risk. That is why at Inter Solar, we only use IEC-certified and MNRE-approved solar panels – durability tested to Indian conditions.
For those customers who are concerned about electricity supply during the monsoon, we recommend a hybrid system with battery storage and net metering. This way, it won’t matter how many overcast, rainy weeks there are because your energy independence won’t be interrupted.
Does Solar Work Without Sunlight?
This is one of the biggest myths surrounding solar. Solar panels will not work in complete darkness. Solar panels need daylight to generate electricity, which means at night in complete darkness, there will be zero output.
Artificial light sources may create maybe a tiny amount of current for the panel, but not anything useful on a practical level.
There is some exploration of technologies with sun-free photovoltaics on the horizon, but until that innovation comes to fruition, solar, as it is known, will always rely on sunlight or daylight.
So, to simply answer your question: No, solar doesn’t work without sunlight. However, with battery storage and net metering, in reality, you can have access to power 24/7.
Maximising Solar Performance Year-Round
At Inter Solar, we recognize that the Indian climate is variable — from Rajasthan’s deserts to Kerala’s monsoon country. This is why we factor in resilience into our designs.
The tips below will ensure you continue to receive good production in all seasons:
- Choose high-efficiency panels: Our Mono PERC and TOPCon modules can deliver >22% efficiency in extremely low light conditions.
- Take advantage of storage: a Lithium battery system will close the night gap.
- Use net metering: Export surplus energy generated on a sunny day to the grid, and use credits to power your home at night.
- Keep up with regular servicing: With an annual maintenance contract and 24/7 technician support, your system will be performing at peak levels.
Using these considerations means you will be getting consistent energy production, rain or shine.
Why Solar is Reliable with Inter Solar
When customers ask “Do solar panels work at night?”, or “How do they work when it rains?”, they are really asking whether they can rely on energy from solar all year round, and the answer is: yes – especially when properly installed, with quality technology and support.
For nearly three decades, Inter Solar has been leading India’s solar revolution. We’ve delivered over 50,000 projects across homes, schools, and industries, all designed to perform in real-world conditions. From battery storage to government subsidy integration, we ensure solar remains practical, affordable, and future-ready.
Because for us, solar is not just about panels — it’s about energy independence for every Indian household and business, regardless of the season.
FAQs
Q1. Do solar panels work at night?
No, solar panels don’t generate electricity at night. Power at night comes from battery storage or grid credits through net metering.
Q2. Do solar panels work in the rainy season?
Yes, but with reduced efficiency. Panels still capture diffuse sunlight during rain and clouds, generating 10%–50% of peak capacity.
Q3. How much electricity do panels produce in cloudy weather?
Solar panels can still generate 33%–76% of their usual energy output depending on cloud thickness.
Q4. Does solar work without sunlight at all?
No, panels need sunlight or daylight. They don’t work in complete darkness, though they can produce minimal power from artificial light.
Q5. How can I make sure my panels work in every season?
Choose high-efficiency modules, pair them with storage, use net metering, and rely on trusted providers like Inter Solar for installation and support.