Eon analysis
Sun versus clouds-that brings a PV system
21.03.2025Reading time: 2 min.
A new analysis shows how much energy a photovoltaic system really generates-and what that means for everyday life.
TV, washing machine, electric car-these and other power guzzlers can become a few additional financial burden. A separate solar system on the roof could be the solution to reduce energy costs. So far, however, the opinion that such a system is only worthwhile in particularly sunny regions. Because only then does it produce enough electricity to be profitable.
A current evaluation by Eon shows that this is a misconception. The analysis showed that a typical solar system can generate sufficient solar energy even with dense clouds to provide a family of four that lives in a house with a heat pump. The experts assumed that the average family with the electric car consumes about 14.8 kilowatt hours (kWh) a day. Can a solar system also cover this need with average strong clouds?
Yes. At least arithmetically, explains Eon. Because even if the cloud cover is very dense and only a few gaps for sun rays, enough energy can be generated to even fill the solar storage in the basement. The company explains, explains the company, explains the company and illustrates it in a comparison of the city: in Essen the memory could be filled up to 14 percent, even complete in Munich.
The result on sunny, cloudless days is even better. Then the solar power is sufficient to completely fill the memory in both cities and also partially charge the battery in the electric car (North Rhine-Westphalia: up to 42 percent; Bavaria: up to 44 percent). This means that the family can drive about 150 kilometers. But what does that mean in detail?
According to Eon, the power yield on sunny, cloudless days in Bavaria is around 53 kWh and around 52 kWh in NRW. If it is very cloudy, the facility in Bavaria produces almost 24 kWh and around 16 kWh in Essen. That sounds comparatively little. But this small amount is enough for:
It is even more effective and efficient, so Eon, if the family also relies on an intelligent control system. This could help to optimize self -consumption and thus live for longer by the electricity providers.
