Does a Solar Fountain Need Direct Sunlight?
Mini solar fountains need direct sunlight to run the system, but fountains with external solar panels can be installed under the shade.
There are many instances when a solar fountain (or its panels) might not receive direct sunlight. The shade of trees, buildings, or weather conditions such as clouds or rain could deteriorate the performance.
How do you deal with mini solar fountains? How can you use long solar fountains with external panels? Read this post to learn more about it.
Do Solar Fountains Need Direct Sunlight?
Indeed, solar fountains perform best in direct sunlight. However, they can also function without it. Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight. If there is no ‘direct’ sunlight, still solar panels can generate electricity at low intensity, which is not enough to run solar fountain pumps.
You can keep a mini solar fountain under direct sunlight so that it can generate electricity to run the system. Please remember that it will not run in the absence of sunlight. So these mini water features can be regarded as outdoor solar fountains.
In the case of long solar fountains, you can easily connect them with external solar panels and battery systems. You need to keep the solar panels in the sunlight, but you can install the fountain in the shade.
Do you know that you can run long solar fountains even at night?
Yes, it is true! You need to install a battery pack and connect the fountains to run the system smoothly. You can also illuminate the area with LED lights.
Now the first question that comes to your mind is:
Can Solar Fountains Outdoor Run in Shade?
Sure! solar fountains can be used in the shade, and they will run in their optimum state because the solar panels (installed outside) generate sufficient electricity to run the system.
Yes! Following the previous technique, you can also use solar battery packages to run the solar fountain pump in the shade.
However, if the solar panels are in the shade, then you must learn the following factors:
The Time of Shading
The longer the solar panels are under the shade, the more drastically the electricity output decreases. Please note that the intensity of the sun and shade will vary throughout the day.
Technology Used in Solar Panels
Many people do not know that half-cut photovoltaic cells perform better than regular solar panels in the shade. I understand it is never easy to gain such specific knowledge for a common homemaker or a business owner. That is why you must read my blog posts to learn more about a topic.
Inverter Setup
Secondly, MLPE (Module Level Power Electronic) microinverters allow you to monitor the performance of each panel, but central string inverters do not come with such expensive features, so shading on a single panel can decrease the power output of the entire system. The good news is that you can prevent this issue by installing MLPE inverters.
My Opinion
Whether you want to switch the system to off-grid technologies or want to install small-scale solar panels for fountains, you must first decide the amount of shade in the roof/garden. If the shading is insignificant, you can install regular panels. Still, you must install a battery pack so that if the performance deteriorates for a few hours due to shading, you can run the system using the batteries.
Otherwise, if you are experiencing a lot of shading issues, you might consider installing an MLPE inverter and half-cut solar panels. (These are expensive technologies!)
Lastly, if you do not want such a headache, please consult with a local solar expert to determine the ideal installation areas for solar fountains and panels.
Do you want to learn more about it? Here is my detailed article will a solar fountain work in the shade?
Can Solar Fountains Run on Cloudy Days?
Solar fountains do not run as efficiently as they do on sunny days. This is because clouds block solar radiation from reaching the ground (or, in this instance, the roof/garden).
If the weather is cloudy, your solar panels can generate around 10%-60% of normal power output, so it is better to use the battery in such a case. Otherwise, the pump gets overheated, leading to chances of potential burnout.
Can Solar Fountains Outdoor Run During Rainy Days?
Rain does not directly affect the solar fountain’s output, but the thick cloud covering that comes with rain can reduce the power generation of solar panels.
Even though it could result in short-term output loss, rain can have a positive consequence.
Do you know it can help remove dirt from solar fountains and panels? It increases the performance of the system.
Here is my detailed article on will solar fountain work on cloudy and rainy days?
Where Should You Place a Solar Fountain?
You can place a solar fountain anywhere indoors or outdoors, but I suggest installing fountains at the entrance of your properties or in the middle of a large campus to enhance the aesthetic quality of the area.
If you want to learn more about technicalities, then I must say solar fountains can be installed under a shade, indoors or outdoors, but you must install the solar panels outside, under the sunlight.
Should You Leave an Outdoor Solar Fountain on All the Time?
Experts suggest you always leave an outdoor solar fountain on because it is designed to work smoothly without interruption. However, it is necessary to switch them off during maintenance, but it is not recommended to switch them on and off frequently. Here is a detailed explanation why you should leave outdoor solar fountains on all the time.
How Long Does It Take for a Solar Fountain to Charge?
The solar fountain does not have a battery, so you do not need to charge the system. If you purchase a mini solar fountain, you can keep it under sunlight to run the system, but it will not run in the absence of sunlight because it does not have an inbuilt battery.
However, if you connect a long solar fountain with solar panels, you can install external solar batteries to run the system without sunlight. In that case, the charging time will depend on the solar batteries’ capacity and the panels’ power.
How Does a Solar Powered Fountain Work?
Solar powered fountain works like any other solar product, but many items come with an inbuilt solar panel. I understand that the solar fountain is a new product in the market, so many people have doubts regarding the working process, but I am going to explain this in simple words:
Generally, mini solar fountains come with inbuilt solar panels, so they run directly under sunlight. Still, many commercial property owners use long solar fountains with external solar panels and batteries that even run in the absence of sunlight by using the reserved power in the batteries.
Do you want to learn more about it? Read this FAQ Posts
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If you have queries, please do not hesitate to comment below or ask me at aimforcent@gmail.com.
Meet Rohan, a writer who loves to inspire and motivate others. He’s all about those feel-good quotes that can light up your day! When he’s not crafting words of encouragement, Rohan dives into the world of the latest technologies, exploring what’s new and exciting. But that’s not all—his heart beats for solar products, the kind that harness the power of the sun for a greener future. And guess what? He’s a total pet lover too! When he’s not busy writing, you’ll find Rohan surrounded by his furry friends, spreading joy and cuddles all around. Follow Rohan on Twitter and Facebook
