The short answer is yes! Solar panels can still generate electricity in the winter. However, data shows that energy generation can drop to an eighth of what it would be on a summer day, so choosing solar panels designed to optimise energy production all year round is essential.
Winter can affect performance through shorter days, a low sun angle, and a cloud or snow cover. The cold temperature in winter can help enhance solar panel efficiency. You can improve panel performance in winter by adjusting the tilt, removing snow, debris, and obstructions and investing in microinverters. How Do Solar Panels Work in the Winter?
Nearly 85% of land in the state has at least some level of permafrost and even in the southern regions, winter months receive minimal daylight. But this solar farm in Willow, is one of those proving that solar can work even in the most unexpected cold and northerly climates. Is this a start of an aviation revolution?
There are a few actions you can take to improve the performance of your solar panels during the winter. These include: Adjusting the tilt of your solar panels can help capture more sunlight since the sun is lower in the sky during the winter. It will also encourage snow or rain to slide off more easily.
These include: Winter is characterised by fewer daylight hours with the sun rising later and setting earlier. Daylight hours can drop to around 7 to 8 hours per day in winter in the UK compared to 16 to 17 hours in the summer. This means light only hits the panels for a short period, leading to significantly less energy production.
The cold temperature reduces resistance and allows the electrons within the cells to move more freely, boosting power generation capacity. More electricity is generated within the cell when exposed to light, allowing your panels to make the most of the few daylight hours in winter.