Do Solar Panels Work in Winter?

One of the questions we hear most often at Rollings Renewables is ‘do solar panels work in winter?’ The short answer is yes, solar panels work year-round, even in winter. 

In this guide, we’re going to look at how solar panels work, how winter affects their performance, how much energy they actually generate during the colder months and how you can limit the impact of winter on your solar panels. 

Stick with us to learn more or, to speak with an expert, just call us now on 01905 621777. 

How Do Solar Panels Function?

Before we get any further into how solar panels perform in the winter, let’s look at how they work in the first place. The surface of a solar panel is comprised of photovoltaic cells, usually made of silicon. These cells absorb sunlight, which causes electrons within the silicone to become loosened, creating direct current (DC) electricity. 

Our electrical systems run on alternating current (AC), so an inverter attached to the panels converts the DC electricity to AC, ready to use. The key thing to remember here is that solar panels run on light, not heat. 

How Well Do Solar Panels Operate in Winter?

So, the big question: ‘do solar panels work in the winter?’ Like we said, yes, however, their performance is affected by the weather. 

As long as there is light, solar panels will generate electricity. Obviously, in winter, the days are shorter and the sun sits lower in the sky, which does reduce the amount of electricity they can create in a day. But they will still generate more than enough to be useful. 

While solar panels are not reliant on temperature to create electricity, it does have an effect, but not in the way you might think. Solar panels actually become less efficient the warmer they get, so the colder conditions of winter mean they are operating much closer to their ideal temperatures. This makes them more efficient and helps them compensate a little for the reduced light. 

How Does Snow Affect Solar Panels?

In theory, anything that blocks the surface of your solar panels will impact their ability to make electricity, so snow is obviously not ideal. However, the surface of solar panels is extremely smooth and they are always installed at an angle, meaning that snow should sheet away fairly quickly. 

Additionally, snow on surrounding surfaces such as the ground and roof area can reflect light back towards the panels, improving their efficiency once they’re clear of snow themselves. 

Do Solar Panels Work in Cloudy and Rainy Conditions?

Yes, but again, reduced light levels during cloudy or rainy conditions can limit their output. Anything that impacts the amount of light reaching the solar panels will cause the rate of electricity production to drop. 

But, as with snow, the effects of cloudy and rainy conditions are temporary, and as soon as the weather lifts, electricity production can return to normal. Overall, the effects of cloud and rain on your solar panels over the course of a year will be negligible. 

How much energy do solar panels generate in winter?

The electricity output of your solar panels will dip in winter as a result of reduced light levels. Roughly speaking, seasonal electricity generation for a 4kW system may look something like this: 

For reference, a typical UK home uses between 8 and 10 kWh of electricity per day. So, even in winter, your panels can still generate enough energy to potentially cover most of your daily usage. 

Weather aside, there are a lot of other factors that can affect how much electricity your solar panels will generate in different seasons, including placement, shading, condition and location. The best way to minimise the impact of seasonal weather on your solar panels is to ensure they’re properly fitted by a reputable solar panel installer. 

Solar Battery Storage in Winter

A common method to overcome the fluctuations in energy production from solar panels is to install a battery storage system. These batteries are usually wall-mounted and are used to store surplus electricity generated when weather conditions are good. 

This helps smooth out some of the peaks and troughs in generation caused by fluctuating weather. Batteries can be particularly useful during the winter, helping you make the most of increasingly rare sunshine and saving electricity for darker days. 

Expert Advice with Rollings Renewables

At Rollings Renewables, we’ve been installing state-of-the-art solar panel systems across the Midlands, with or without battery storage units, for more than 20 years. We source high-grade equipment from leading manufacturers and all our installations are carried out by our experienced in-house team. 

All our work is covered by a six-year workmanship guarantee and we have a list of industry accreditations, including RECC Approved and MCS Approved. 

Get a free solar panel installation quote today by calling us on 01905 621777, emailing us at sales@rollingsrenewables.co.uk or filling out our contact form.