Switching to solar energy is an expensive investment. Thus, you must have all the information to decide on the investment’s viability and the types of panels to buy. A skilled solar panel expert can answer your questions and provide all the information you need before switching to solar energy. For example, they can help you determine whether your solar panels will work effectively in winter and snow conditions.
This is a significant concern for people who live in areas that experience snow and extreme weather conditions during the winter. Fortunately, solar panels need sunlight and not heat to generate power. This means you can produce sufficient energy during winter and snow, provided your solar panels are exposed and not shadowed. Solar panels generate more power during warm conditions, not because of the high temperatures but because of their direct exposure to the sun. The right solar panel expert will ensure your panels are strategically located to produce enough power for your needs, regardless of the weather conditions or location.
Here is additional information to help you decide whether to switch to solar energy:
Solar Panels Work Even When Covered in Snow
Solar panels are the main instruments for producing solar energy at home or in business. Investing in the best solar panels is an excellent idea. However, this is not the only requirement to produce sufficient energy for your needs. You must strategically position your panels in an area where they will maximize sunlight absorption to produce enough power. Solar panel experts recommend the rooftops because of their direct exposure to the sun and the minimal obstructions.
However, the rooftop is exposed to other elements, like shadows and snow during snowfalls, which could cover your solar panels and affect their power generation. You must consider these elements when installing or investing in solar panels.
The truth is that snow or the cold winter season does not stop or prevent solar energy production. Solar panels work as long as they receive sunlight, regardless of weather conditions. If the sun can reach your panel’s surface, you will produce solar energy, even in snowy or cold weather conditions. Heavy snow can interrupt the production of power, but only temporarily. This happens when heavy snowfall covers your solar panels, blocking the sunlight from reaching the panels. However, this is usually temporary because the snow eventually melts away, exposing your panels for power production.
Additionally, solar panels are designed to withstand all weather conditions and elements. Since they are installed on the rooftops, they are expected to encounter even the harshest elements and situations. Their durability guarantees continuous solar energy production for years, regardless of location or weather conditions. Once you choose the best solar panels for your home or business in terms of durability and effectiveness, you can generate sufficient energy in all seasons. A low temperature will not affect your energy production or your panel’s lifespan. It could even favor your investment because your solar panels will not overheat.
Choosing the Right Solar Panels for Snow and Winter Conditions
You will find three types of panels on the market today, namely:
- Monocrystalline solar panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Thin-film solar panels
Monocrystalline solar panels have a higher conversion for sunlight than polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels. They are also more expensive than their counterparts. Your skilled solar panel expert will explain other benefits and disadvantages to help you choose the suitable solar panel types for your needs.
Solar panel manufacturers design all panels to be high quality to ensure they operate well under different weather conditions. All solar panels, regardless of their sunlight conversion rates, can typically operate from -40°F to +185°F. This makes all solar panels suitable for all weather conditions today, even in snow and winter.
However, you will likely suffer an energy loss when your panels overheat, which means an energy boost during cold seasons. Your energy production can also drop slightly when the temperatures drop because your panels will receive less sunlight. However, the overall percentage of the sun your panels will convert during the cold seasons is usually higher.
Thus, your choice of solar panels should not change according to location or weather conditions. However, you must discuss with your solar panel expert the snow load your preferred solar panels can hold, especially if you are in an area receiving heavy snowfall. Fortunately, most solar angels can hold up to 120 pounds of pressure.
Additional Care for Solar Panels in Snow or Winter Conditions
You must also consider any additional care your solar panels will need during the snow and winter weather conditions. An experienced solar panel installer should provide the information you need for the rights and quick decision-making.
Solar panels require regular cleaning and maintenance to maximize their exposure to sunlight. Dust, leaves, and dirt can cover your panels over time, affecting their sunlight absorption and energy production. You must also consider what to do if snow covers your panels during snowfalls.
How you care for your solar panels does not change with your location or weather changes. This is because snow melts almost immediately after falling. Thus, you do not need to clean your panels more in snowy conditions. Additionally, snow can remove dirt and debris from your solar panels as they melt away, leaving them cleaner and receiving more sunlight. You will likely require less maintenance for your solar panels if you live in cold or snowy areas.
After a snowy night, your solar panels will warm up immediately after the sun comes out, melting away the snow and providing the light the panels need to generate energy. You can remove the snow from the panels if the sun takes longer. However, ensure you have the right tools to avoid damaging your panels. A skilled solar panel expert will help you purchase proper snow-cleaning tools and educate you on cleaning techniques that will keep your panels in perfect condition for years.
For example, they will educate you on the dangers of using stiff brushes or other tools that can damage your panels when cleaning them. In their stead, the solar expert will recommend a squeegee or soft rake. You can opt for a long pole and a smooth surface for convenience and effectiveness.
Additionally, solar technicians adapt a tilt angle when installing solar panels in cold areas to allow snow to slide off easily once it accumulates on the panels. Tilted panels do not hold dust and debris, requiring less maintenance for maximum sunlight absorption. They also receive more light, especially if they tilt towards the north when the sun’s position is usually lower in the sky. An experienced solar panel installer can help you choose the ideal angle for your panels based on your location's snowfall rates and sunlight reception.
The Cost of Solar Panels is the Same, Even in the Snowy States
The cost of solar panels is essential when investing in new and better energy for your home or business. The price is a critical factor when deciding to switch to solar power. Solar panels do not cost the same across the country; they are more expensive in some states than others. However, a state’s weather condition does not determine the cost of solar panels. If switching to solar energy is costlier in your state, it has nothing to do with the weather conditions or the fact that you live in a snowy state.
If you live in a snowy state, the myth has it that solar panels are not as efficient as they are in warmer states. Remember that your solar panels’ efficiency is usually not dependent on the temperature of an area but on how much sunlight the panels receive. Thus, you can generate as much energy in a snowy state as a person in a warmer state. This should not affect the cost of your solar panels or the overall installation costs.
Typically, the overall cost of switching to solar power will depend on the following factors:
- The cost of installation
- Your location
- The size of your solar system
- The tools and equipment needed for the installation
- Additional features for your solar system
Talk to a skilled solar panel installer to determine the cost of your installation according to your needs and preferences. They will come for a site visit in your home or business and advise you on the best solar panels to invest in, the equipment needed, the size of your system according to your needs, and their installation charges. Some of the additional features you should account for include solar batteries. These are necessary to create a backup for when your system cannot produce enough power for your home or business. You can store excess energy in your batteries for later use.
Your location will determine the types of solar incentives you will receive from the government after investing in solar energy. The government offers incentives to encourage many people to switch to reliable and natural energy and reduce dependence on regular unstable and unsafe energy. Although you can claim tax credit from the federal government after installing solar power from any state, some states have additional incentives that could save you significant money. For example, some states offer solar rebates and property tax exemptions. Your solar panel expert will ensure you know about all these beforehand so you can benefit fully from your switch to solar energy.
Maximizing Solar Power Production in Snowy States
Although the cold temperatures in snowy states do not affect solar energy production, the amount of sunlight you receive in your state can determine how much energy your panels will produce in a day. A solar panel expert will help you determine the amount of energy you need for your home or business to figure out ways to maximize your energy production, especially if the weather conditions in your state are likely to affect your panels' efficiency. For example, your panels will likely generate less energy during cloudy days, which is common in cold or snowy states.
However, cloudy days are usually a few in a year, which leaves you with several other days to generate enough or more energy than you can consume. You can use the favorable days of the year to produce more power and store it in your solar batteries for low-production days. Thus, investing in solar batteries is an excellent idea if you live in a snowy state. The stored energy will be helpful when your energy production does not meet your daily energy needs. Additionally, this will reduce your dependence on the grid, saving you a considerable amount on power bills yearly.
Additionally, you can invest in high-efficiency solar panels to increase your energy production, even on cloudy days. Although high-efficiency solar panels are expensive, they will save you significant money in the long run. They are long-lasting and generate more energy daily than low-efficiency panels. You will always have backup energy in your solar batteries when the production is low or your energy needs increase.
Regular maintenance of your solar panels is also advisable to increase their efficiency and durability. A solar panel expert can provide helpful maintenance tips to ensure your panels work as they should daily. For example, they can show you how to clean your panels to remove dirt and debris that could prevent enough sunlight from reaching your panels. Alternatively, you can hire a solar panel expert to occasionally clean, repair, and maintain your solar panels. Well-maintained panels will always work well, ensuring you have sufficient energy for your everyday needs.
Find a Skilled Solar Panel Expert Near Me
Do you live in a snowy or cold part of the Bay Area or Northern California and consider switching to solar energy?
Our solar panel experts at Sun Solar Electric have all the information you need to decide. We can answer your questions regarding the efficiency of panels in cold areas, the right solar panels to invest in, and how you can maximize your solar production in winter or snow conditions. We can also help you choose the right solar system size and solar batteries to save on excess production. Call us at 707-658-2157 to learn more about solar energy, its benefits, and the installation process.
