Solar Panels in Winter?

It might surprise you, but winter is the perfect season of the year to have solar panels installed. Contrary to popular belief, solar panels generate electricity all year round, sometimes even more in winter. Additionally, the installation time during the cold season is considerably shorter than in, for instance, spring, which means you can start enjoying reduced energy bills sooner. In this article, we'll explain in detail why winter is the ideal time to install solar panels, and how by installing solar panels in winter, you will be well-prepared for those sunny days in spring and summer.

Yield of Solar Panels in Winter

Do solar panels produce electricity in winter? How does that work? Put simply: solar panels operate on sunlight, not the heat from the sun. In fact, solar panels perform better in cooler temperatures. This is because they conduct energy in colder temperatures more efficiently than in warmer ones. In essence, a sunny winter day can generate more electricity than a very warm summer day. Of course, the yield is highest in spring and summer, as the sun shines longer during those seasons.However, winter is not to be underestimated when generating electricity.

You might still be surprised by how much electricity solar panels can generate in winter, often more in terms of output (kWh) than in autumn. This is due to the fact that the absolute number of sunlight hours in winter is higher compared to autumn, partly because the days are starting to get longer, resulting in more sunshine throughout the day. Additionally, cloudy and rainy days tend to be less than in autumn, enhancing the yield. Finally, winter days are included in the calculations for the annual output of your solar system, so you have a good idea in advance of what to expect annually.

Shorter Installation Time Thanks to Increased Installation Capacity

You read that correctly. During winter, fewer people are considering the purchase of solar panels. Often, the purchase is postponed because it’s believed that winter is a bad time to invest in solar panels.On the contrary! Demand for solar panels decreases in winter. Hence, installation capacity actually increases. This means you can often have solar panels installed within 4-6 weeks, whereas in spring, you might have to wait 6 to 12 weeks for installation. At Soly we can install solar panels rather quickly in winter. Request a quote for solar panels now, and within a month, you’ll be enjoying cheaper energy bills thanks to your new solar panels.

Be Prepared for the Peak in Spring and Summer

People often start considering buying solar panels when the sun starts shining again, around springtime. At this point, you’re actually ‘late’ because it often takes several weeks before the solar panels are installed on your roof, missing out on a lot of sunshine. Since the demand for solar panels also significantly increases in spring, the installation capacity is booked, resulting in longer installation times. This means you may have to wait longer for installation than usual, delaying your enjoyment of generated solar energy, which otherwise could result in significant savings on your energy bill. For these reasons, winter is the ideal period to install solar panels because you can quickly start using your solar system and be prepared to enjoy the sunny days.

Background

Knowledge Base

While you are still here: have a look at our knowledge base. It's full of information concerning the benefits and possibilities of solar energy. And we do our bit. Here are some of the most interesting topics we already covered.

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Do you need to clean solar panels?

Over the years, the panels are exposed to numerous conditions such as rain, wind, snow, sand, and moss. Do you need to clean your solar panels every once in a while?

How much CO₂ emissions can be saved with solar panels?

In addition to the financial benefits, lower carbon emissions is also a good reason to have solar panels installed. How much CO2 will you save?

Difference between serial and parallel connection of solar modules

“My roof is partly in the shade, but I would like solar panels. Is that possible?” This is a question we often hear during telephone consultations. We'll tell you more about it.

How many solar panels do I need?

This is a common question people ask themselves when they are considering whether to purchase or rent solar panels. So, how about it?

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