Season by season
| Season | What happens | Design response |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Mar–May) | Highest sunshine; cells run 60–65°C | Airflow under modules, good temperature coefficient (TOPCon) |
| Pre-monsoon (May–Jun) | Dust storms, strong gusts, lightning | Braced galvanised structure, anchored pedestals, lightning arrester, SPDs |
| Monsoon (Jul–Sep) | Cloud cover, rain, humidity | Sealed junction boxes, proper connectors, drainage around pedestals |
| Winter (Nov–Feb) | Clear skies, low sun, morning haze | Layout that avoids long winter shadows; tilt near latitude |
Heat: why the sunniest months aren't proportionally better
Solar cells lose efficiency as they heat up. A module rated 550 W at 25°C may deliver 12–14% less when its cells reach 60°C+. Two things help: airflow (elevated structures and adequate gap under modules) and better temperature coefficients (TOPCon modules). See solar panel types.
Monsoon: less sun, but not zero
Clouds scatter sunlight; panels still produce from diffuse light. Monthly generation in July–August falls to roughly 85–90 units per kW compared with about 140–150 in March–May. See the month-by-month table.
Storms and wind
The panel is rarely the weak point — the structure is. Loose clamps, thin steel, unbraced tall frames and poor anchoring fail first. We use galvanised steel, cross-bracing and concrete pedestals, and check fasteners during service visits.
Lightning
A roof-mounted lightning arrester with its own earth and surge protection on both DC and AC sides protect the inverter. See solar safety.