Some people may be concerned whether solar remains a good investment during the wintertime. To answer that, solar systems do continue to produce power during winter. Meaning you can enjoy a resource that powers your home and shaves costs off your energy bill all year-round.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, not heat. Which is how solar systems still operate and provide phenomenal benefits through the colder months. However, there are some factors that will influence and change the way your solar system performs during this time – both good and bad.
The Challenges of Winter
Patterns of daylight change during the winter. For one, there is less sun during the shorter days. The sun is lower in the sky and therefore hits at a different angle. Along with this, the colder months tend to also have more cloudy days in the year. And if you are living in an area that snows, a layer of snow on the panels can also temporarily inhibit your panels from producing energy.
These factors result in less output for solar electricity during the winter. However, there is still a strong yield to be had during the winter, that assists in paying the bills over these months. Experts say most solar systems in Australia will at least provide 50% or half of their estimated average daily performance in the winter.
The Benefits of Winter
While there is less sunlight for PV systems to generate power during winter, there are also benefits that the cold temperature brings to solar panels. The colder weather and temperature allow solar systems to perform more efficiently. In hot summer days, PV systems become more susceptible to overheating which creates a resistance to solar performance.
The ideal solar panels conditions are cold temperatures and clear sky sunny days.
Solar Panels in the Snow
Light snowfall shouldn’t cause too many problems for solar panels, as the modules have a highly reflective surface and takes in sunlight; factors that allow it to melt the snow away. The tilt that solar panels are installed on also allows for the snow to slide off the panels, whether it’s fluffy, hard, or liquid form.
In the case of heavy snow forming, experts don’t recommend clearing snow off your panels yourself as snow makes a slippery roof. Even clearing snow off your panels from the ground with a long-handled sponge or broom could be dangerous if a large load of snow falls on you. Improper technique here, such as scraping, could also cause more long-term harm to your panels than good. Also, in most cases, your solar panels will be able to clear themselves.
Helps Deal with The Extra Costs of Heating
Heating costs almost always add a spike in extra electricity usage during the winter. For this reason, solar systems can really assist homeowners with keeping their energy bills low, and therefore more manageable. There are also other steps you can take to keep your costs low, by using energy efficient appliances and ensuring you have proper insulation and there are no leaks in your home.
Installers Prefer Installing in The Winter
In the wintertime, if there’s no snow or ice on your roof, it’s a great time to get solar panels installed. Many regions in NSW bypass this issue by not experiencing snow. Installers prefer installing this equipment in milder or colder weather. There’s less demand in the winter, less glare and not as much heat or humidity that is experienced in the Australian warmer months.
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If you want to know how much you can save on your energy bills during the winter, as well as year-round, you can contact our installers on 1800 975 270 for your free solar assessment. An assessor will schedule an appoint and visit your home, inspect your rooftop and understand your power usage to provide a quote for the ideal solar system for your home.