The more hours of sunshine a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel receives, the more clean power (and electricity bill savings) it can generate. This explains why states further south generate more solar energy per home than northern areas. But even the most northern states have plenty of year-round sunshine – especially during the summer months when the sun is out for the most hours.
However, what happens to your own solar savings when winter finally arrives? After all:
- The days get shorter, meaning there are fewer hours during which to generate clean electricity
- The sun sits lower in the sky, which means that your solar panels may receive less direct light
- Snow accumulation on your panels can block out the sun completely
And in rare cases, your solar panels can become damaged by extreme weather events.
Whether you live in a region with relatively mild winters or one with more significant winter weather, does solar power make sense in the winter?
The answer is yes. Let’s explore why.
The Truth about Solar Panel Performance in Winter
Because of the factors outlined above, solar PV output is lower during the winter than it is during the summer. However, the difference is significantly less than you may be thinking.
It’s true that solar panels don’t receive as much direct sunlight when the days get shorter and the sun sits lower.
It’s also true that snow buildup can block out your solar panels entirely. However, with their slick surfaces, dark colors, and tilted angles – most PV modules actually don’t accumulate much snow. It just melts away on its own. And if it doesn’t, you can always purchase a low-cost “solar roof rake” designed to remove snow without damaging the panels.
Finally, bad weather can cause roof leaks or otherwise damage your roof enough to require a complete roof replacement. For rooftop solar owners, this means your panels need to be safely removed and replaced for repairs.
Despite these issues, there are 2 important reasons why solar power is a great investment all year long – even during the winter months.
1. Solar Output and Temperature
PV panels require the sun’s light, but don’t do as well with too much of the sun’s heat. In fact, the colder it gets, the more efficient your solar panels become. This efficiency boost isn’t enough to completely counteract the shorter days and less direct sunlight – but it definitely helps.
2. Solar Savings Never Disappear
As long as the sun is shining, your solar panels are saving you money. This is true even on December 21 – the shortest day of the year!
Again, those savings won’t necessarily match what you’d normally expect during the summer months. However, a well-maintained system can generate a surprising amount of clean power and lower bills regardless of the season. And when added to your annual savings, your wintertime production helps to shorten the payback period of your solar power investment.
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