Many people have misguided beliefs about how solar panels work. Many think they won’t work unless it’s a hot sunny day. The truth is that they always work, some days better than others. Anything that comes between your solar panels and the sun will make them perform slightly less than one hundred percent. Rain, clouds, shade, trees, and debris. However, hot weather can cause your panels to overheat and not work properly, either. But, solar power is a reliable and resilient energy source. Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy throughout the entire year. In the colder weather, solar panels will brighten your home to keep you cheerful.
Solar Power in The Cold
Solar panels actually produce electricity more efficiently in cold weather. They work by harnessing the sun’s light, not the heat. Colder temperatures help energy production efficiency, increasing the daily amount of electricity produced despite fewer daylight hours.
Solar panels are on an angle on your roof, which helps the snow slide off. But even if they are covered with snow, the sunlight still gets through and the panels can capture it and turn it into energy.
Solar panel cells gather the photons from the sunlight, so all the panels need are the photons emitted from the sunlight. So, even if it is a cloudy day, the sun’s photons are still being sent out into the atmosphere and absorbed into the panels.
However, if they are covered with snow for a long period of time, you may need to brush it off. Heavy snow and ice will make it more difficult for the solar panels to work properly.
The snow can also add a lot of extra weight to the panels and your roof. It is smart to keep the snow off so it doesn’t pile up. That could cause them to break or collapse, which will be expensive and messy.
The sun is also at a different angle and lower in the sky which will reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panels. The sun up for shorter periods of time through the winter, which will also affect the amount of energy the panels can produce.
Making The Most of Solar Panels
With the winter months not giving you s much sunlight, you may find yourself needing to use the energy from the grid. But you can make them work to their best ability, even in the winter.
Tilt your panels slightly to capture more of the sunlight during colder weather. Aim your panels at a higher angle so they can generate maximum energy during the sunny hours. Make sure that your solar panels are facing the south direction during colder months.
When they get covered with snow, you don’t need to remove it right away. The sun may melt it enough for it to slide off on its own. You don’t want to risk injuring yourself or damaging the panels.
Trust The Experts
To make sure your solar panels are going to function to their best ability, they need to be installed correctly. The quality of solar panels are constantly improving, but due to their increasing popularity, the installation may be suffering.
Make sure you get your panels and their installation from a reputable company that understands solar panels and how it works. Don’t jump at the first low offer, as it can mean a lot of headaches down the road.
Contact Live Smart Construction for all your solar panel needs. We specialize in sustainable building practices that create the ultimate retreat. Get your free consultation, today.