Shading

Shading refers to any obstruction that blocks sunlight from reaching solar panels, reducing their energy output. Even partial shading on a small portion of a solar array can significantly impact the entire system’s performance, making shade analysis a critical part of solar design.

Common sources of shading include trees, chimneys, dormers, neighboring buildings, utility poles, vent pipes, and satellite dishes. In a string inverter system, shading on just one panel can reduce the output of the entire string because panels are wired in series. Microinverters and power optimizers mitigate this problem by allowing each panel to operate independently — only the shaded panel is affected. During the site assessment, your solar installer uses tools like the Solmetric SunEye, satellite imagery, or 3D modeling software (like Aurora Solar) to analyze shading patterns across all seasons and times of day. Even deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter can reduce annual production by 10–25% if they shade the array during summer months. In some cases, trimming or removing trees may be recommended to optimize solar production and return on investment.