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Are Solar Panels Effective during the winter months?

Lisha Ouyang • May 13, 2020

Solar is with the sun. No sun means no solar, right! So the biggest fear of the people interested in the solar system is the winter season. As in winter, the sun is taking some rest and does not bestow its magical powers on your residential area as much as it was doing previously. For this reason, most people consider solar useless during the winter. Is it, however, ineffective? Is the solar system a seasonal phenomenon? Read this entire blog to get an answer to this query.


Solar System’s performance in cold

It’s crucial to know that the solar system works well even when it’s freezing outside. It’s vital to remember that solar panels require radiation of light from the sun to function, not heat. So, even though the temperature is cold for you, it will be fine for the panels unless it is a cloudy, overcast day. Another surprising thing to know is that solar panels work even on a cloudy day. But their overall efficiency is less as compared to a bright sunny day.


It’s also worth noting that solar panels are more efficient in low temperatures. As a result, cool weather and clear skies are ideal conditions for converting sunlight into electricity.


The performance of Solar Panels in winter

In the winter, the sun does not shine as brightly, and the amount of time it is visible to illuminate the surroundings is also diminished. Is it having an impact on electricity production? The answer to this question is yes. But, if it does affect productivity, why do we need a solar system in the winter? It’s vital to understand that it only has a 2% to 15% impact on the system. Also, the location of residence, the dirt on the solar panels, and the tilt of the panels influence this percentage.



Canberra residents are fortunate to live in a climate where the winter months are merely June, July, and August. The average daylight time is almost 10 hours during these months, which is not awful. As a result, solar is a good investment in Canberra, even in winter. The winter effect will not prevent your solar panels from saving you money on electricity.


Does Snowfall have an impact on Energy Production?

Snow, the winter’s treasure, is either a problem for your solar panels, or can they operate well during this bone-chilling season? It is a significant concern for those who live in locations where there is a lot of snow in the winter. But it is worth noting that even during the snowy season, the panels have minimal or no effect on their performance. Since light rays may still pass through a slight amount of snow. However, if the snowfall is tremendous and lasts for an extended period, it may become an issue.
Historically Canberra’s cold weather is not always coupled with snow. And even when it does, it’s hard enough to let you build a mighty snowman. So the climate of Canberra is perfect for your solar panels to help you enjoy the savings.


The angle of the solar Panel

It is also an important factor affecting your solar Panel’s winter output. The preferable angle is the latitude angle of your location. However, during the winter, the sun moves to the lower arc. This new position of the sun makes it very favorable that the panels are tilted perpendicular to the more downward angle of the sun.
The tilting of the solar panels can also be very effective during the snowy season. If the panels have enough tilt, the snow will easily slide off the module, and the solar Panel will start working at the normal pace. Another problem with the solar panel angle can be with the shading. If, at a particular position, the solar panels are coming under the shade, then during the winter, the shadow will grow longer, and it can affect the solar system’s output.


These facts show that solar is a great investment even when the winter arrives.

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An aerial view of a house with solar panels on the roof

What is Solar Inverter Oversizing?

By Lisha Ouyang • 01 Aug, 2023
Normally the number of solar panels installed on the roof is matched to the solar inverter size. The total number of panels is calculated by dividing the inverter power rating by the chosen solar panel power. This was often the practice carried out by some solar designers in the past. If you have been in the solar industry, you probably heard of the idea of “inverter oversizing“.
A man is standing on top of a roof holding a solar panel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Solar Power for Winter Energy Needs

By Lisha Ouyang • 19 Apr, 2023
1. Do solar panels work in the winter? Yes, solar panels do work in the winter. It doesn’t matter how hot or cold it is. In fact, they can be more efficient in colder temperatures as long as they receive adequate sunlight. 2. Will snow cover affect my solar panels’ performance? Snow can affect solar panel performance if it covers the panels completely, but most modern solar panels are designed to be self-cleaning and will shed snow and ice on their own. Even a small amount of sunlight can generate enough heat to warm up a solar panel and help it in melting the snow. This is because solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. As they absorb sunlight, they also absorb heat, which can help raise their temperature and melt any snow or ice that may have accumulated on them. Additionally, snow can reflect sunlight back onto the panels, which can increase their output. 3. How much energy can I expect my solar panels to produce in the winter? The amount of energy your solar panels produce in the winter will depend on factors such as location, weather conditions, and the angle and orientation of your panels. However, in general, you can expect your panels to produce less energy in the winter than they would during the summer months. 4. Do I need to make any adjustments to my solar panel system for winter? In most cases, you do not need to make any major adjustments to your solar panel system for winter. However, you may want to clear any snow or debris from around your panels to maximize their exposure to sunlight. 5. Can I still use solar power during a winter power outage? Yes, if you have a solar power system with a battery backup, you can still use solar power during a winter power outage. However, if your solar panels are grid-tied and do not have a battery backup, they will not provide power during a blackout. 6. Will my energy bills be lower if I use solar power in the winter? Your energy bills may be lower if you use solar power in the winter as long as your solar panels are generating enough energy to meet your household’s needs. To get free and accurate in-home solar assessment, call us on 1300 911 110 or email us at info@mondiaux.com.au and we will make sure to provide our best service to our clients.
There are two solar panels on the roof of a house.

Part 2: Going Solar! Stay Aware of These Traps!

By Lisha Ouyang • 04 Apr, 2023
Going Solar is the most beautiful gift you can give to mother Earth. But you can fall into many traps if you don’t know how to do it effectively. This Blog is the sequel to the previous blog . We recommend reading it before starting this blog if you have not checked it out yet. 6: Believing! If the location is not optimal, the Solar is not worth it. It is a big one among the many traps! If the location is not optimal, the solar system is not worth it. It has been claimed recently that solar systems are getting better with time. And in today’s time, even if the solar panel is not installed in the north direction, it would still be worth it. As you only lose 10-15% of your solar system production. This depicts that even though the location might not seem right to you going, solar is still a fantastic decision that can help you save a lot in the long run. 7: Settling for DIY solar systems Solar systems can vary in size and the way they operate. Some people can go for off-grid plug-and-play solar systems, which are not very complex in their operations. These DIY solar systems also aid you in going solar, but you cannot completely go off the grid with these systems. Hence, if the person’s goal is to get self-sufficient in electricity, they should think of installing the solar system through a reliable service provider. Otherwise, a person can fall into the trap of wasting money on getting a system that is not fulfilling the energy demands fully. 8: Making the decision solely based on the price Going Solar is a tremendous decision, and it can look like an extravagant purchase. Some people can make the mistake of going for the company that is offering the least money. The money factor can add to the traps section when going solar. You can choose a company offering you the least amount, but the system being delivered is also very substandard. Although it has not been advocated here that the cheapest is the worst. But while deciding to go solar, look for company ratings, reviews, and how they deal with your needs before the purchase. The value for money should be considered before deciding to go solar with any company. The company that provides the best value for money should be chosen. 9: Not Taking Advantage of Incentives Solar can help you make the environment more sustainable and can also assist you in gaining incentives from the government. It is essential to have a hold on the knowledge of incentives that the government is offering to achieve the maximum benefit. A prevalent perk the government provides is lowering taxes for solar energy-dependent individuals. And businesses can benefit by capitalizing on accelerated depreciation. It is vital to keep yourself up to date with what the government is offering in terms of the benefits for the solar community. 10: Lack of knowledge of Warranties It is vital to know warranties before going solar with any installer. There are two types of warranties. One is offered by the manufacturer, and the other by the solar installer. Sometimes the manufacturer only gives a warranty. So if something happens with the system, the customers are satisfied that it is still under warranty. They can get it fixed without any cost. But they are actually falling into one of the traps! When they ask the installer to fix it, the installer doesn’t take charges for the system, but the installer does charge for the labor work. So it is crucial to know what the manufacturer is offering you as a warranty and what is being communicated to you by the installer. It is better to go with an installer that can also cover the labor charges in the warranty.
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