Solar Panels in the Winter: Here’s How to Prepare for Ice and Snow

This story is part of Home TipsCNET’s collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

roof Solar panels can save you money and give you a long-term source for year-round use clean, Cheap energy for your home. There’s been some misinformation about winter solar panels in the past – they actually work great on cold, clear days – but you might have some questions heading into the cold season.

Colder temperatures actually help solar panels run more efficiently, but grayer skies, shorter days, and a lower sun in the sky can reduce the amount of electricity they produce. Add in a heavy snowfall or two and you might be wondering if it’s even worth it. While you will certainly see less production from your solar panels, there are a few things you can do to get them producing as much as possible.

In the following we explain how you can get the maximum possible solar power from your modules when less of it is available. See some for more information cheap ways to integrate solar energy into your home and how the recent laws in the US are becoming Save money on energy efficiency projects and Increase in the solar tax credit.

Adjust the angle of your panels

The angle of incidence of the sun is different in winter than in summer. As a result, you might want Adjust the angle of your solar panels to get the most out of it in winter. Most people won’t be able to do this as solar panels are often mounted on fixed racks.

Because the sun is lower in the sky in winter than in summer, you should position your panels at a steeper angle during these months. Some sources suggest a winter angle of your latitude plus 10-15 degrees. In Chicago, for example, that would be an angle between 52 and 57 degrees. (Chicago’s latitude is about 42 degrees.) As an added benefit, a steeper angle not only helps capture more sunlight, but also helps snow fall off your panels more easily. Talk to your solar panel supplier about your options before making any adjustments. You should be extremely careful not to tamper with your panels in a way that could void your warranty.

Reduce your energy consumption (or prepare to pay more for electricity)

Solar panels can still capture sunlight and generate energy for your home during the winter. However, since there are fewer daylight hours, you can also expect your solar panels to produce less energy than in the summer. As a result, you may need to either reduce your energy use or be prepared to pay higher utility bills. The good news is that there are many ways to reduce your energy consumption, including:

• Switch to energy-saving lamps. They last longer and perform better. In general, a conventional 60-watt light bulb can be replaced with a 15-watt energy-saving bulb.
• Turn off lights and devices you are not using. While most of us know that we waste energy by leaving these things on, we forget that it actually takes a toll on our wallets.
• Disconnect small devices that you are not using. Even when not in use, they can consume a small amount of electricity, increasing your energy bill.
• Turn down your thermostat. You can save money by lowering the temperature in your home by a few degrees. Wear layered clothing to make yourself more comfortable.
• Check your home’s insulation. When your home is poorly insulated, more heat escapes, which costs you money.

Properly insulate your batteries

You should take extra care of your solar batteries in winter to ensure they keep working. It is important to keep your batteries at an appropriate temperature. Batteries are not designed to work in the very cold temperatures found in some regions. Therefore, you should either store your batteries indoors or make sure they are well insulated.

If you keep your batteries outdoors, monitor the temperature to make sure it’s within the optimal range.

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Watch your battery discharge

It is also important to monitor the discharge level of your battery. It is not recommended to fully discharge your solar batteries. While some batteries are rated for 70% to 80% discharge levels, the recommended discharge level is actually 50%. On busy days like you’re likely to have in winter, keep an eye on your battery drain and consider investing in a backup generator.

Clear heavy snow from your panels

If you live in an area that gets snow, it’s natural for some of it to end up on your solar panels. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Light snowfall will likely melt fairly quickly. And snow on your solar panels can actually have an advantage as it can clean your panels if it falls.

While some snow on your solar panels is fine, watch out for excessive snow. Solar panels covered in snow just don’t capture sunlight in the same way. In addition, heavy snowfall can put too much weight on your solar panels and put stress on the mounting points.

If you want to remove snow from your solar panels, make sure you use the right tool. A rough brush or rake can damage your solar panels. Instead, use a soft snow brush that will remove the snow without scratching the surface of your panels.

The final result

The good news is that your solar panels can still capture sunlight and generate energy for your home during the winter months. They may just need a little more care and maintenance before and during the winter.

Read on to learn more about solar panels for your home: