If you're considering installing solar panels, one of the concerns you may have is how shading affects solar panel performance. The truth is, shading can significantly affect the output of your solar panels, especially when it's a large portion of the panel's surface. But there are ways to mitigate the effects of shading, such as using optimized solar panels and microinverters.

Do solar panels work in the shade?

The answer is yes, solar panels can still produce some electricity when they are partially shaded. However, shading can reduce the panel's output and cause hot spots, which can damage the panel over time. The more shaded a panel is, the less electricity it will produce.

What about snow or cloudy weather?

While shading affects solar panel performance, snow and cloudy weather can also impact their efficiency. Solar panels work best when they receive direct sunlight, so snow and clouds can reduce the amount of sunlight they receive, lowering their output.

To minimize the effects of shading, it's important to choose solar panels that are optimized for shade, like VSUN 400. These panels are designed to minimize hot spots and maximize output, even when they are partially shaded. They also have a sleek all-black design that blends in with your roof.

Another way to mitigate shading is to use microinverters instead of central inverters. Microinverters are small inverters that are installed on each panel and convert the DC electricity into AC electricity. This means that shading on one panel won't affect the output of the others. Enphase microinverters are a great choice, as they are highly efficient and have a 25-year warranty.

Here are some of our best solar panels for shade:

• VSUN 400

• Solar4America

• REC Alpha Pure & Pure-R

• Tiger N 66TR All-Black Monofacial. 390W

• Canadian Solar HiDM

• Trina Solar DUOMAX

• Hanwha Q CELLS Q.PEAK DUO

• Jinko Solar Eagle

• Solaria PowerXT

And the top 5 inverters:

1. Enphase microinverters

2. SolarEdge HD-Wave inverters

3. SMA Sunny Boy inverters

4. Fronius Primo inverters

5. Generac

Shading can affect the performance of solar panels, but there are ways to mitigate its effects. Choosing optimized solar panels and microinverters can help to maximize output, even in partially shaded areas. VSUN 400 is Helio GreenTech's favorite panel for 2023, and Enphase microinverters are their top pick for inverters. If you're an Evergy customer in Kansas City or the 10 largest cities near Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri, installing solar panels with optimized components is a smart choice to maximize your solar energy production.