Solar panel performance can drop significantly when shading occurs, even if only part of a panel is shaded. Solar panels are made up of many cells wired together, so when one cell is shaded it can reduce the output of the whole panel. Modern panels often include bypass diodes that help limit the impact, but shading can still reduce overall system performance.
Shading can come from trees, chimneys, nearby buildings, or even debris like leaves or snow. In a typical UK setting, shading at certain times of day can cut generation more than you might expect, so it’s worth checking the site carefully. If shading is unavoidable, an installer may suggest different panel placement, microinverters, or optimisers to reduce the effect.
