When it comes to the Northeast’s frequent snowstorms, many people are surprised to learn that solar panels can operate in the winter. And it’s true that a solar system’s output can be lower than on a long summer day because of shorter days and snow cover. However, as long as your solar system keeps operating during the winter, it will continue to produce power and reach its estimated output due to solar panels’ increased efficiency in colder months and the summer’s excess energy production.
Do Solar Panels Work in the Winter?
Solar energy production is unaffected by cold weather. Wintertime in cold-weather states is ideal for solar cells. However, because of the shorter days, power generation is typically lower in the winter than in the summer. Sunlight, not heat, is required for solar panels to generate energy. If they face the sun, they can produce electricity even in below-freezing temperatures. It is only due to the installation and quality of the solar panels that they perform poorly in cold and snowy climates. The quality, effectiveness, and longevity of solar cells are unaffected by winter weather conditions. Compared to hot summer days, they have been shown to function more effectively in colder climates.
For instance, Texas has 240 days of sunshine annually compared to 197 sunny days on average in Massachusetts. Despite having a colder climate than the sunnier states in the Southwest, Massachusetts is ranked eighth among the ten most solar states in the country. Currently, there is enough solar energy installed in the Bay State to power 552,186 homes with 3,380.6 megawatts (MW) of power. Thus, the production of solar energy in New England does not appear to be affected by the region’s gloomy weather.
Solar Panel Cold Weather Performance
Despite popular belief, the production of energy released by solar panels can benefit from cold weather. In essence, solar panels are electronic devices just like computers, radios, or home appliances. Like any electronic device, they operate more effectively in colder temperatures than in higher ones.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, winter may also be the ideal time for businesses and homeowners to install solar panels. During the chilly winter months, demand for solar panel installation frequently reaches its lowest point. However, the usual lower price during the winter will undoubtedly draw a respectable crowd. Although the colder temperatures won’t harm the solar panels themselves, it’s important to be aware of how they will affect concrete if the solar panels’ base needs to be buried directly in the ground in front of a house or other building.
Do Solar Panels Work Covered in Snow?
It is impossible for a solar panel to generate electricity when it is covered in snow. Although solar panels themselves absorb the sun’s heat in addition to its light and are frequently installed on a slope, they also tend to shed snow fairly well.
Although it is true that solar panels produce less when they are covered in snow, the percentage of annual production that is lost is actually quite small, so prospective customers should still consider them to be a good investment.
As clearing snow from solar arrays could cause damage that is not covered by warranty, we do not advise owners to do so. Furthermore, it is frequently difficult or even dangerous to access the panels themselves because they are located on the roof.
How to Keep Snow Off Solar Panels?
Since there is a chance of damaging rooftop solar arrays during snow removal, it is preferable to wait for a significant snowfall to melt naturally rather than shoveling it off. However, it is advised to hire specialized solar snow removers who know how to work at heights and use safe tools to remove snow if the snowfall is heavy and it takes too long for it to fall on its own.
• Use a roof rake with a soft head as one of the common methods for clearing snow from solar panels if you’re doing it yourself. The panels’ surface will be scratched and harmed if you clean the snow off of them with a metal rake.
• Another option is to use warm air to help the snow melt, such as by connecting a leaf blower to long plastic air hoses or plastic piping, such as PVC pipes.
• Washing the snow with a garden hose is yet another way to hasten its melting. Applying this method, though, could make it more likely that water will freeze solid.
Energy Production on Shortened Winter Days
It’s no secret that on any given day during the winter, there are significantly fewer daylight hours than there are in the summer. Although this decreases the amount of time a solar panel is operating at maximum efficiency, the amount of sunlight available in most regions makes it more than worthwhile. Similar to cloudy days, when a solar panel is not receiving direct sunlight, it performs at a lower efficiency. But rather than focusing on a specific day, it’s crucial to consider how much sunlight the panel will receive annually as a whole.
Is the Energy Output of Solar Panels Worth It in the Winter?
It’s important to think of solar panel installation during the winter as an investment that will help to lower annual energy consumption. There is still a high demand for solar panel installation during the winter, even though it is possible that a solar panel will operate at a lower efficiency due to bad weather and a lack of sunlight.
Conclusion: A Wise Investment
As we have seen, solar energy is a wise investment that will benefit you as well as your community, even during the worst winters. It is a plentiful resource with numerous applications, one that heats and cools your house, and even functions during the winter. Additionally, your home can survive in the winter, even during an infamous New England winter power outage, if you combine solar with a battery backup.
In essence, solar energy can accomplish everything and make your house a more sustainable, low-impact residence in addition to saving you money on your electric bill.