Solar panels are machines that work optimally during temperate weather. They don't work as well during the hottest summers and adversely, the coldest winters. There are many days in the year where solar panels work optimally; will it do so during winter?
Solar panels need direct exposure to UV rays and sunlight to receive energy. If their temperature get too hot or cold, they can suffer from severe damage. Fortunately, solar panels can still collect solar energy during sunny winters.
Like computers, solar panels generate heat as they collect energy. When exposed to the sun during winter, they generate negligible levels of heat due to the cold. Despite this desirable outcome, the cold still brings some challenges to solar panel performance during winter.
Solar panel contacts need direct sunlight to function. So, if a heavy layer of snow covers the panel and its cells, it wouldn't collect enough energy. You'll need to clean it regularly to ensure it receives enough direct sunlight to generate electricity.
Another issue is the limited level of sunlight during winter. Winter days have shorter sunny days, and this might affect the energy it collects. You might have poor energy production during winter.
CNET has a great post to prepare your solar panels during winter. Read more below.
Solar Panels in the Winter: Here's How to Prepare for Ice and Snow
Cold temperatures actually help panels perform more efficiently. But here's what you can do about snow and less sunlight.
Rooftop solar panels can save you money and give you a long-term, year-round source of clean, cheap energy for your home. There's been some misinformation in the past about solar panels in the winter -- they actually work great on cold, clear days -- but you might have some questions heading into the cold season.
Colder temperatures actually help solar panels run more efficiently, but grayer skies, shorter days and the sun lower in the sky can all decrease the amount of electricity they produce. Add a heavy snowfall or two on top of that and you might wonder if it's worth it at all. While you will certainly see less production from your solar panels, there are a few things you can do to keep them producing as much as possible.
Below we'll explain how you can squeeze the most solar power out of your panels when there's less of it to go around. For more, check out some cheap ways to incorporate solar power into your home and how recent laws in the US will save you money on energy efficiency projects and boost the solar tax credit.
Adjust the angle of your panels
The angle of the sun during the winter is different than during the summer. As a result, you may want to adjust the angle of your solar panels to make the most of them during the winter. Most people won't be able to, since solar panels are often mounted on fixed racks.
Because the sun is lower in the sky during the winter than in the summer, you'll want your panels at a steeper angle during those months. Some sources suggest a winter angle of your latitude plus 10-15 degrees. In Chicago, for example, that would be an angle between 52 and 57 degrees. (Chicago's latitude is about 42 degrees.) As an added perk, not only will a steeper angle help to capture more sunlight, but it will also help the snow to more easily fall from your panels. Talk to your solar panel provider about your options before you make any adjustments. You should be extremely careful not to tinker with your panels in a way that might void their warranty. (Continue reading here to learn more)
You can always count on Roper Roofing & Solar to provide the best solar panel installations for all your needs. Call us today to learn more about everything we can do for you.
