Solar energy produces thrives even in the winter

Short days do not hamper solar production

Winter days are short, but that does not mean they are bad in terms of solar energy. California has established itself as one of the leaders in solar power, but many believe that photovoltaic systems falls short during the winter, when sunlight is not as abundant as it is during other seasons. According to the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's energy grid, solar energy has not actually fallen short during the winter. In fact, solar power production has increased.

2,800MW added to California grid this week

The California Independent System Operator notes that more than 2,800 megawatts of solar power was introduced to the state's energy grid this week. The grid operator expects that some 3,000 megawatts of solar energy will be pumped into the California grid by the end of 2013. This is not counting the energy being produced by solar thermal facilities, which is expected to come in at 109 megawatts by the end of this week.

Solar systems manage to overcome issue of limited sunlight

While it is true that solar power production suffers on days where sunlight is not abundant or when light is obstructed, solar systems are still able to produce a significant amount of electrical power while they can access sunlight. Short days may account for less sunlight, but California has shown that its solar systems can produce a significant amount of energy even during the winter months, putting some concerns regarding the year-round viability of solar power to rest.

Solar energy provides economic benefits to California

California has been showing greater interest in solar power recently in order to take advantage of several economic benefits. By adopting renewable energy, the state is able to limit the amount of money it spends on the acquisition and transportation of fossil-fuels. California has established itself as a significant force in the solar industry and has become a home for many projects that are focused exclusively on solar energy.