Those solar power systems on your roof aren't simply providing clean energy; they are cooling your property, or your business office, too, based on a group of professionals led by John Webb, a guru with more than 20 years of expertise with DIY solar panels.

In a study in the upcoming publication of the journal 'Do it yourself Solar Power', John Webb and his team publicized what they believe are the first peer-reviewed measurements of the cooling gains offered by solar photovoltaic panels. By using thermal imaging, experts established that in daytime, a structures roof was five degrees Celius cooler under solar panels as compared to beneath an totally exposed roof.

In the evening, the solar panels help hold heat in, cutting down heating costs in the wintertime.



The reasoning for the research came into being when John, Ted together with a group of undergraduate individuals were getting ready for an upcoming seminar. They decided the undergraduates should take photos of the rooftop with a thermal infrared camera. The results verified the crew's hunch that the do it yourself solar panels were in fact cooling the roofing, along with the structures ceiling as well.

The panels basically behave as roof shades, explained Ted Martinez, the graduate student lead on the venture. Rather than the sunlight beating straight down onto the roofing, which causes heat to be pushed through the roof and inside the ceiling of the property, solar panels take the solar beating. Then the majority of the heat is removed by means of wind blowing in between the solar panels and the roof covering.

"Right now there are far more good ways to passively lower the heat of buildings, like reflective roof membranes," said John. "Nonetheless, if you're considering installing diy solar panels, depending on houses roof thermal properties, you can expect a significant reduction in the quantity of energy you use to chill your home or business."