With the colder months arriving, one of the most common questions that our team is asked is “do solar panels work in the winter?” Many people mistakenly believe that solar panels only work when the sun is shining and the skies are blue; however, this is not the case, and solar panels are still able to work in a wide range of environments.
How do solar panels work?
In order to answer the question “do solar panels work in the winter?” it is first important to understand how they work. Solar panels are made up of hundreds of solar cells, which are made from a semiconductor such as silicone. This semiconductor will then absorb the energy from sunlight, creating a current that can then be converted into usable electricity through an inverter. Cold temperatures can actually benefit solar panels. Unlike many electrical appliances that lose efficiency in cold weather, solar panels operate more efficiently in cooler conditions. This means that despite shorter days, you can still get significant energy output from your system during the winter months.
Do solar panels work in cold temperatures?
Solar panels require sunlight in order to work, not heat. That means that they can work just as effectively in the colder temperatures of winter. In fact, solar panels can actually operate more efficiently when the temperatures are lower, producing more power than they would on a hot and bright summer day. This is because of the difference in energy between the photons in sunlight and the electrons that are found in the solar cells. The greater the difference between the two, the more energy that will be produced.
Maximise Your Solar Benefits in Winter
While solar panels are effective year-round, incorporating technologies like battery storage or smart energy diverters can further enhance the efficiency of your system during winter. Battery storage systems allow you to store excess energy produced during sunny days, so you can use it when sunlight is limited.
Energy diverters can redirect any unused power to heat water or power other appliances, making sure you maximise your solar energy use even when production is lower.
Do solar panels work in the snow?
While the answer to the question, “do solar panels work in the winter?” is yes, there is one caveat to that, which is snow. While this is a rare occurrence in the winter, it is still important to remember that your panels will not work in heavy snow. As the snow builds up, it will block the sun’s rays from being able to reach your solar cells until it is removed. As your solar panels heat up, some of this snow will melt and slide off the smooth surface, allowing them to operate as usual. While you might be tempted to remove the snow yourself, research by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology found that those panels which were cleaned were only 5% more effective than those that were left unmaintained.
Conclusion
Yes, solar panels do work in winter, and they can still provide significant energy savings even during the colder months. While shorter daylight hours and snow might temporarily affect their output, the panels remain efficient in low-light conditions and cooler temperatures. By incorporating smart technology such as battery storage to cover your energy usage on potential snowy or dark days, you can make the most of your solar investment all year round.
Looking to discover the benefits of solar power?
Are you looking to discover the many benefits that can come from switching to solar power? No matter whether you are looking to transform your home or your commercial property, our highly experienced team at Solar Power NI is here to help you. We specialise in delivering the highest quality solar panels at an affordable price, making the process as smooth and as straightforward as possible. Want to find out more? Get in touch today!
