Last Updated on 03/10/2023 by owen_2023

Do Solar Panels Produce Energy in the Winter months?

Solar panels are a popular source of renewable energy in Northern Ireland, our Solarstream team of installers are active across Ireland installing solar systems for both homeowner and business owners alike all year round. By generating your own electricity, homeowners with solar panels can reduce their reliance on the national grid and lower their electricity bills. During the winter, when daylight hours are shorter, the electricity generated by solar panels may not be enough to power a household’s energy needs. However, any excess electricity generated during the summer months can be sold back to the grid, further reducing energy costs. With Solarstream your system is guaranteed for thirty years and likely to pay for itself within 5 years. Our customers are always interested to know what happens to their solar systems in the Autumn and Winter months.

One of the common questions that arise this time of year with our enquires is whether solar panels work in winter with our climate in  Northern Ireland?

• Solar panels do work in winter, and they can still generate electricity even on cloudy or overcast days.

• Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, and the amount of electricity generated depends on the intensity of the sunlight. While it is true that there are fewer hours of daylight in winter, the intensity of the sunlight can still be strong enough to generate electricity.

• In fact, solar panels can work better in colder temperatures, as they are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity when the temperature is lower. However, it is worth noting that the output of solar panels may be slightly reduced on cloudy or overcast days.

• While it is true that winter days are shorter and often overcast, solar panels can still generate electricity even on cloudy days. The amount of energy generated may be slightly lower than on sunny days, but it is still significant enough to make a difference in reducing energy bills.

• Solar panels work more efficiently in colder temperatures if they are not covered in snow. Modern solar panels do not rely on the sun’s heat to generate electricity, but rather on the UV light that is present in daylight. Therefore, the colder temperatures in winter can improve the performance of solar panels.

• When snow accumulates on solar panels, it can block the sunlight from reaching the panels and reduce their efficiency. However, most solar panels are installed at an angle, which allows the snow to slide off naturally. Additionally, some solar panels are designed to be more snow-resistant and can handle the weight of snow without damage. At Solarstream we only use tier 1 PV solar panels.

• For optimal performance in winter, solar panels should be facing south to capture as much sunlight as possible during the daylight hours. It is also important to ensure that the panels are not shaded by trees or other structures that may block the sunlight. Our team will guide you through the best location for your panels at home during your survey.

• In addition, battery storage can be a useful addition to a solar panel system in winter, as it can store excess energy generated during the day for use during the shorter daylight hours. This can help to reduce energy bills even further and provide a backup power source in case of power outages during winter storms.

It’s recommended to hire a professional solar installers such as ourselves who can guide and help you on the process and choose the right system for your property and arrange professional installation from our team. If you are interested in Residential Solar Systems or Business Solar Systems then please contact our friendly customer service team via matt@solarstreamni.co.uk to request a call back from our Derry office.