Do Solar Panels Work in Alaska?

We have long sunny summers but cold dark winters and because of those cold dark winters you would think solar panels wouldn't be practical in Alaska.

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By Brett Shepard
Bio | Email | Follow: @ktvaweather

Story Created: Feb 4, 2011 at 3:17 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 25, 2011 at 7:47 AM AKDT

There's a lot of foggy thinking when it comes to weather myths and not all are scientifically explained. 

We've all heard weather myths such as you should open your windows if a tornado is coming, which of course is not true. 

Now, we may not have to worry about tornados in Alaska, but there are plenty more weather myths floating around.    

Energy prices continue to soar worldwide which has many governments and corporations to seek out alternative energy sources.  But the weather plays a big part into whether these growing alternative energy sources are practical. 

We have long sunny summers but cold dark winters and because of those cold dark winters you would think solar panels wouldn't be practical in Alaska.

So do solar panels work in Alaska? 

"Solar panels in Alaska are very practical for most people, especially as an alternative form of energy," said Ralph Harrison, sales manager of Alaska Battery. 

"Arguably during the winter they don't do real well, but then during the summer we get upwards of ten sun hours a day.  So we actually get more production than they do in Washington state or Oregon for about four and a half to five months out of the year."

If you look around you'll see more and more panels popping up around the state.  Businesses such as The Alaska Railroad are using them and homeowners like Mark Absher in Girdwood are enjoying the benefits of solar power.

"It's working pretty well. Nine months out of the year we don't even use the generator on this system and run about an hour a day during the three months when it's darkest," said Absher.

Also, Alaska's cold winters are a benefit to the panels.
 
"Just due to the nature of the processes that are involved, [the panels] actually perform better at low temperatures [at] subzero temperatures the panels have a higher output than what the actual rated output of the panel is," said Harrison.

Strangely enough, Harrison said the panels can actually lose efficiency in warmer desert climates in 100 degree heat.

While the panels are made to harness the sun's energy, believe it or not the panels can even work during the night time.

"We have panels that actually produce a small amount of usable power. On a full moon on a clear night, 20 below, full moon, clear night you can get reflected.  You can actually get power from the reflected light of the moon off the sunlight, off the moon," said Harrison.

Harrison said the technology of solar panels is constantly evolving and they will only become more practical for Alaskans in the future. 

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Kirk Hammett said on Wednesday, May 2 at 7:28 AM

Get off the computer bro practice in an Hour,!!

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Lars Ulrich said on Wednesday, May 2 at 7:25 AM

This really taught me and the band alot, we will know how power works on our next tour for our new album. Kirk is always talking about making an amp out of solar panels.. Anyways thanks from the guys -Sincerely Lars

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Samantha said on Monday, Apr 30 at 8:53 AM

Where is this at I am doing a project an I would like to know thans

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