Solar panels in winter: what can you expect?

Every autumn we get the same question: do solar panels actually produce anything in winter? The answer is yes, but less, and that is no problem as long as you know what to expect.

1. Light, not warmth, determines the yield

A common misunderstanding is that panels need warmth. The opposite is true: solar cells actually work better at low temperatures. A clear, cold winter's day yields surprisingly well per hour of sun. Lower winter output is due to the number of daylight hours and the low position of the sun, not to the cold.

2. Snow and leaves

A thin layer of snow usually slides off by itself once the sun hits it, certainly on a pitched roof. If snow stays on a flat-mounted system, simply wait; climbing on the roof to sweep is not worth it and only creates risk. Leaves and moss along the bottom edge are worth clearing, though.

• Cells work better at low temperatures
• Fewer daylight hours, not cold, lowers the yield
• Snow usually slides off by itself
• Compare with the same month last year

3. How to read your monitoring in winter

Do not compare with the summer months but with the same month last year. If you then see a structural drop, something is wrong and we will take a look. With a micro-inverter system you see immediately whether it is one panel or the whole system.

In practice this subject belongs with monitoring and maintenance and solar panels. There you can read how we work and what is possible, or you can request a no-obligation quote straight away.

Further reading: what does monitoring and maintenance cost?, what does energy advice cost?, what does heat pump maintenance cost?.

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