How to keep your solar panels in excellent condition in cold weather

Installing solar panels can be a step towards… Long-term energy saving For many people. Nevertheless Inflation is cooling, Energy costs have increased For many people over the past two years. while Solar energy costs As they rise with inflation, their cost generally declines and can be subsidized 30% federal tax credit. If you’ve invested in solar energy, you won’t want to leave any electricity production (and the associated savings) on the table. Winter weather can add some obstacles to this goal.

Solar panels work just as well in winter as in summer. (And maybe even better. Cold temperatures can keep solar panels running at full capacity.) Most efficient.) But the cloudy days are shorter, and the snow and ice accumulate The sun is lower in the sky It all reduces The amount of sun available. If solar panels perform better in the cold, they will have less sun to work with.

You can mitigate some of these effects. You may not be able to do much about the clouds in the sky, but you can do something about the snow on your boards. With a little extra work, you can get more power from your solar panels during the winter than you would otherwise.

CNET has other solar tips, from how to… Find a reputable installer within Our favorite stabilizers How to Avoid a bad solar deal. Check out how Save money and electricity around the house And find Answers to all your solar questions.

Remove heavy snow from your panels

If you live in an area where it snows, it’s normal for some of it to land on your solar panels. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Light snowfall will likely melt fairly quickly. There may actually be some benefits to snow falling on solar panels, as it can clean the panels as they melt or slide.

While some snow on your solar panels is okay, watch out for excess snow buildup. Solar panels covered in snow will not be able to capture sunlight in the same way. Additionally, heavy snow can put extra weight on the solar panels, putting more stress on the mounting points.

If you’re going to remove snow from solar panels, make sure you use the right tool. A rough brush or razor can damage the solar panels. Instead, use a soft snow brush to clean off the snow without scratching the surface of the panels. Again, it’s always a good idea to check with your service provider to make sure you won’t void your warranty.

Reduce your energy use (or be prepared to pay more for electricity)

Solar panels can still capture sunlight and produce energy for your home during the winter. But since daylight hours are shorter, you can also expect your solar panels to produce less energy than they would during the summer. As a result, you may either need to reduce energy use or be prepared to pay a higher electricity bill. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce energy use, including:

• Switch to Energy saving light bulbs. They last longer and perform better. In general, the traditional 60-watt light bulb can be replaced with a 15-watt energy-saving bulb.
• Turn off lights and appliances you are not using. While most of us know that we’re wasting energy when we leave these things behind, we forget that they actually affect our wallet.
• Unplug small appliances you don’t use. Even when not in use, they can use 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 feel more comfortable.
• Check your home’s insulation. If your home is poorly insulated, more heat will escape, which will cost you money.

Adjust the angle of your boards

The sun is lower in the sky during the winter and will likely hit your solar panels at a shallower, less efficient angle. Adjust the angle of your solar panels Therefore, having the sun hit them more directly will enhance electricity generation. Most people won’t be able to, since solar panels are usually mounted on fixed racks, but for those who can, adjusting the angle can result in more sunlight reaching your panels.

Since the sun is lower in the sky during the winter than in the summer, you will need to position the panels at a steeper angle during those months. Some sources indicate a winter angle of Your latitude plus 10-15 degrees. In Chicago, for example, the angle would be between 52 and 57 degrees. (Chicago’s latitude is about 42 degrees.) As an added bonus, a steeper angle will not only help catch more sunlight, but it will also help snow fall off the panels more easily. Talk to your solar panel provider about your options before making any modifications. You must be very careful not to tamper with your boards in a way that could void their warranty.

Insulate the batteries properly

You’ll need to take special care of your solar batteries during the winter to ensure they continue to perform. It is important to keep your batteries at the proper temperature. The batteries are not intended to operate in the extremely low temperatures experienced in some areas. As a result, you should either store your batteries indoors or ensure they are well insulated.

If you keep your batteries outside, monitor the temperature to make sure it is in the optimal range.

Watch the battery discharge

It is also important to monitor battery discharge levels. It is not recommended to completely discharge your solar batteries. In fact, while some batteries may be suitable for discharge levels of 70% to 80%, the recommended discharge level is actually 50%. On high usage days, as may happen in the winter, monitor battery discharge and consider investing in a backup generator.

Bottom line

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