What are the Best Solar Panels for Winter Use?

Winters in Australia generally prompt a flurry of inquiries concerning the effectiveness of solar power in winter. It goes without saying that solar systems work best when the sun is high in the sky and there are plenty of daylight hours, but that doesn't mean that solar panels during winter can't function effectively.

Don't let the thought of less sunlight prevent you from switching to solar power in winter months if you are thinking about doing so. Here is all you need to know about making solar panels in winter to maximize their output.

Do Solar Panels Work in Winter?

This is one of the most often asked questions about our residential solar power systems that our staff gets. Yes, solar panels do function even when the temperature is below zero because they turn sunlight into electricity, not heat.

In fact, cooler temperatures increase a solar panel's efficiency; instead, it's the shorter sunshine hours of winter that might reduce output from June to August. The decline, nevertheless, is not significant enough to invalidate the use of solar energy in your home.

Guidelines For Increasing Solar Power in Winter Months

Seek Out the Winter Sun

When your solar panels face the sun directly, they will produce the most energy. Your solar panels will be impacted at a different angle than in the summer because the sun is lower in the winter. If your solar panels are movable and already placed, you can tilt solar panels in winter to catch as much sunlight as you can.

Regularly Check Your Panels

Since the days are shorter in the winter, you'll want to make sure that your panels are not blocked in any way so that they can get sunlight when it does shine. This entails routinely examining your panels for any accumulation of leaves, grit, or dirt.

Think About Your Appliances

You should plan out when you'll use your appliances and make energy-saving substitutions to get the most out of your solar system in the winter. Here are some fast ideas to increase your solar power over the winter:

1. If at all feasible, try to use your home's appliances solely during the day.
2. Only use your energy-intensive appliances on sunny days, such as your dishwasher and washing machine.
3. To save energy, replace high-wattage lighting with warm white LED lights.
4. Think about switching to appliances with high energy ratings.

Spend Money On a Solar Battery

Even in the winter, there will still be plenty of days with a clear sky and bright sunshine. For people who live in areas where consecutive cloudy days are typical in winter, conserving energy could be quite helpful when these days do come. You can prolong your access to electricity into the winter evenings by buying a solar system and battery at the same time or by integrating a battery into your existing system.

Conclusion

Hope this article helped you in learning about the ways you can use solar panels during winter to their full capacity and use solar panels work in winter to your advantage. If you're considering putting a system in your house or would want more information on how to reduce your electricity costs, contact us.