Winter Solar Panel Installation; Why Wait?

Solar Panels Generate Energy in Winter

Contrary to popular belief, solar electricity panels (also known as photovoltaics , or PV) produce electricity every season of the year!

This includes winter and all of the typical weather associated with it:

1. Reduced daylight hours: Whilst daylight hours are shorter in winter, your panels will still be producing a substantial amount of free electricity. Installing your panels in winter ensures your system is fully up and running for when maximum daylight hours return, and your electricity production is at its peak.
2. Cloudy days: Solar panels also generate electricity on overcast days, as they can harness both daylight, known as diffuse light , and sunlight which can be thought of as direct light. Although energy output of solar panels is maximised when exposed to direct sunlight, rather than diffuse light, solar panels will generate enough energy to make it worthwhile, albeit at a lower productivity level.
3. Snowy days: Due to global warming, snow days are becoming increasingly rare. When we do experience a snow day, much of the snow does not settle. Should your panels be covered in light snow, they will still be able to generate electricity as light will still reach the panels. Panels covered in heavy snow will not be able to absorb light to generate electricity. However, PV systems are designed with snow in mind; the dark glass covering solar panels helps to melt snow, and panels are usually tilted at between 30 and 45 degrees which helps reduce snow build up by allowing the snow to slide off.
4. Rainy days: During the winter it tends to rain twice as much as in summer, . which can be beneficial. Rain can help keep your panels working efficiently by washing away any dirt or dust that may block light.