One common misconception about solar panels is that they only work in sunny weather. However, solar panels are actually quite effective in a variety of weather conditions. While they do need direct sunlight to function, they can still produce electricity on cloudy days. In fact, solar panels actually generate more electricity on cloudy days than on sunny days, because the diffuse light is more effective than direct sunlight. Solar panels are also effective in rainy and snowy weather. Rain and snow can actually help to clean the panels, and the cool weather can actually increase their efficiency. As a result, solar panels can be an effective source of energy year-round.