Solar panel yield in winter: is it profitable?
Solar panel yield in winter is higher than you would expect. Read all about the yield and do’s and don’ts in the winter for your solar panels here.
What is the yield of solar panels in winter? When considering solar panels, it is, of course, good to also take the yield in the dark winter months into account. There is less light in winter, so the solar panel yield is lower. Read all about the yield of solar panels in winter here.
Solar panels yield in winter: do solar panels work in winter?
Solar panels still supply in winter. The yield is lower than during a sunny summer, but your solar panels still work. Solar panels depend on the light that reaches them.
Solar radiation in winter
Solar panels work on sunlight, not heat, so your solar panels still yield on a cold winter day. Your solar panels still benefit even when the sun is hidden behind clouds. The quality of solar panels nowadays is so good that they also work very well in diffused light.
The sun is lower in winter, so less light falls on your panels than in high summer, and the solar radiation is less. It can also happen that your solar panels are more likely to be in the shade because the sun quickly sinks behind another house.
Low temperatures
Did you know that solar panels also function at low temperatures and that the cold is even favorable for the yield of solar panels in winter? After all, when solar panels get too hot, part of the yield is lost. However, this does not happen quickly in winter.
The yield of your solar panels in winter
An average yield is calculated if you want solar panels installed, considering the higher peaks in the summer and the lower yield in the winter.
Solar panels generate winter electricity; a small sun or clear day can already provide a large yield.
From April to September, no less than 70% of the total revenue of the entire year is realized. The share is 3% of the year in December and January. The days are also the shortest in these months, and the sun shows itself the least. So there is the yield from solar panels in the winter, but most of the yield comes from the spring and summer months.
Snow on your solar panels
The only time your solar panels don’t yield anything at all is when they are snowed under. The layer of snow covers the panels, and then no more light can get through.
The good news is that days with a lot of snow are rare in the Netherlands; moreover, the panels are in the sunniest spot on the roof, so the thaw starts faster.
Snow does not damage your solar panels because they are protected with a good coating and can withstand moisture. Moreover, they can easily handle the weight of the snow. The advice is, therefore, to leave the snow until it slides off by itself. The panels are often placed at a certain angle, which will cause the snow to slide quickly when the temperature rises.
Never remove the snow yourself; in the first place, you risk falling due to snow and sleet. The solar panels can only be damaged if you remove the snow with a stick, broom, or brush. It is also not a good idea to throw hot water over the panels because they are not resistant to that.
Installing solar panels in winter
The solar panel winter yield is, therefore, low but still present. In spring and summer, your panels have the most yield. It is, of course, possible to have solar panels installed in the winter.
Want to save immediately? Even in winter!
Do you want to save directly on your energy bill? Then take solar panels from Elektra Unie this winter. Request a free consultation to see what the possibilities are in your situation. We make a quote for an all-in price, which includes the panels, the inverter, and the installation of your solar panels.
In addition, we are happy to help you apply for subsidies.
This way, you will also enjoy your solar panel yield in winter and summer!
Frequently asked questions about solar panels in winter:
How much yield do solar panels have in winter?
In the dark winter months, the yield of your solar panels is low, but in December and January, you still get an average of 3% of your total return. This lower yield is taken into account when calculating your total assets.
Average yield of solar panels in winter?
One solar panel yields an average of 2-5 kWh per month in winter. With this yield, you can run your dishwasher or washing machine twice. And what may seem like little yield in winter is more than made up for in sunny spring and summer months!
Do solar panels work in winter?
Solar panels work fine in winter because the panels absorb light and not heat. Obviously, the effect is less than in the summer because the hours of sunshine are less, and the sun’s power is lower. Nevertheless, solar panels do deliver something.
