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Solar in summer

Here's how to help ensure your solar panels generate the most amount of energy so your home is powered at optimal energy efficiency.
3 min read
Last updated 06 Jan, 2026

Summer in Australia is synonymous with barbecues, beaches and bliss, and for those with solar, it can mean more power to keep things cool.

But getting the maximum benefit from your solar panels requires that everything is in order. A good understanding of how you use power throughout the day can also help you optimise your energy to keep electricity costs down.

Let’s look at some ways you can stay cool in summer and still be energy efficient.

Perform a panel health check

To help ensure your solar panels are ready to get to work over summer, a quick maintenance check can help determine whether they’re generating the optimum amount of energy. The following should form part of your panel ‘health check’:

  • Check your usage: A solar monitoring system, like AGL's Solar Status can show you how much energy you’re generating and consuming in your household, as well as highlight any issues. It will give you a good idea of how your solar panels are tracking.
  • Clean the surface: Get a professional to remove any obstructions from your panels. This includes tree branches, leaves and dirt. If there’s anything that’s causing shade, ensure it’s removed or minimised as even a little bit of shade can affect output.
  • Expert service: Dust, airborne pollution and the build-up of contaminants can also affect your panels’ efficiency. Get an expert in to do a service and check for dirt, along with cracks and loose fittings, and ensure panels are working their hardest. Make sure the service is done by an accredited solar professional.

Natural ventilation

We often forget that a little bit of effort can go a long way with energy efficiency. The following tips cost nothing, and can help you maximise your solar energy use in the most efficient way possible.

  • Zone your house: Close the doors to rooms you’re not using, and only cool those you’re in.
  • Cool it naturally: At night or when a cool change comes through, open your windows and doors to allow the cooler air to naturally lower the temperature in your home without the use of fans or air conditioner.
  • Close your curtains to keep out the heat: Stopping as much heat as possible from entering your home can reduce your need for cooling. Close your curtains and blinds on a hot day, especially before you leave the house.

Consider upgrades and installations

When looking at upgrading your home, these changes can have a big impact on energy usage and can help improve your home's energy efficiency.

  • Double glaze: Low-emission double glazing or a good quality window film can help keep the heat out most summer days.
  • Build a pergola: A pergola on the north side of your house, doesn’t only give you a great space to relax but can help you save energy. Angle the beams so that they help shade the house in summer.
  • Get a pre-summer health check done on your cooling system: External equipment, such as an evaporative cooler, may have leaves and other debris lodged in the vents. Employ a professional to clean the evaporator, and condenser coils and check the refrigerant levels and control system, so that it works as efficiently as possible for the summer.

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