Solar Panels Work In Winter

Snow and colder temperatures might leave you wondering if solar panels can work in winter months.

Solar panels work in winter.

On the other hand the efficiency and energy production of solar panels is typically enhanced by cold temperatures. Yet the cons are primarily due to infrequent heavy snows and the shorter days. In fact they also help you keep your house warm by lowering the cost of your winter bills. There s a misconception that solar panels and solar energy needs heat to produce power when in actuality solar panels are powered by light especially ultraviolet uv light.

Ultimately your solar panels will probably perform just as well in the winter as they do in the summer. Solar panels only need daylight to produce electricity therefore unless your solar system is blocked by shade from trees or snow it will continue to absorb energy during the day even in the winter. How do solar panels work in the winter. We all know how heating systems drain electricity and result in exorbitant bills during winters.

This energy is converted into alternating current ac. When sunlight hits solar panels a direct current of energy is created. Having solar panels can help you significantly bring down those bills. Depending on where you live and how much snow you get your solar panels may even do slightly better in the winter despite shorter days and less direct sunlight.

You should note that evacuated tubes tend to work much better than the older style solar thermal systems in winter conditions so whilst they will still only produce a small amount of your hot water a modern evacuated tube system will provide more heat. The sun rises at 8 am and sets at 4 pm. Can you optimise your panels for winter. An average day of solar generation in winter here in buffalo an average day in winter is just grey.

Pros and cons of solar panels in the winter the efficiency and energy production of solar panels diminish somewhat in winter conditions. Don t worry if you live somewhere with high snow totals. Solar panels work efficiently during sunny winter days. It doesn t snow every day and most days my solar panels are clean.

Does that make solar panels a summer only energy solution.