How well do Solar Panels work in Winter?

Last Updated on 19/02/2025 by owen_2023

How well do Solar Panels work in Winter?

The Solarstream in-house team brings an expert skills set of knowledge to all the solar projects we get involved in. This includes full project management, technical expertise to supporting our customers grant applications right down to the highest quality products we install.

We guarantee a high standard of finish and top-quality workmanship. Our solar installations team are highly skilled safe electric accredited and trained installers who are experts in their field.

When most people picture the optimal weather conditions for solar panels, their mind usually depicts a bright sunny day where the hotter the temperature, the better. While a hot, sunny day in the middle of summer will yield an adequate level of solar energy production, these are not the only days of the year where solar panels are working in favour of the home or business owner.

It is a widespread misconception is that solar panels are hardly effective during the winter season. Although it is true that the energy output of solar panels is at its peak when exposed to direct sunlight and UV rays, the temperature does not play a large role in the solar panel’s overall performance. Solar panel performance drops during the winter months because the days are shorter, the sun is lower in the sky, and the weather is more overcast. This means the solar panels are exposed to less sunlight, which means they’re unable to generate as much electricity as they do on long, sunny days.

If you are contemplating upgrading to solar energy and are wondering whether solar panels will work in winter or on cloudy days, we have good news – they absolutely do.

It’s a common question: do solar panels work in winter? You want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, especially when daylight hours shrink.

We’ll answer all your questions about solar panels in winter in this article, covering whether they work in winter, how reduced daylight hours affects solar panel performance, and what steps you can take to optimise performance during this season.

Do solar panels work in winter?

Solar panels work through all four seasons of the year, come rain or shine, or even hail or in light snow. But solar panels do generally produce less energy in winter. That’s because the days are shorter, so there are fewer hours of daylight and the sun is lower in the sky, on average. On the plus side, cold temperatures mean solar panels work more efficiently 2 than during hot weather.

And you needn’t worry about those rare snowy days – while a solar panel that’s covered in snow cannot absorb light to make electricity, thankfully in UK temperatures, snow will typically slide off correctly mounted solar panels or melt due to residual heat.

Cold weather doesn’t affect solar panel performance (unless temperatures go below -40°C), since they operate on sunlight, which is still available in winter in the UK – albeit, at much lower levels than in the summer. This is one reason why solar panels generate less electricity in winter – the days are just shorter.

There also tend to be more cloudy days in winter, which can reduce the solar panels’ output. Solar panels can still capture sunlight when it’s overcast, but on partially cloudy days they’ll produce roughly 80% of their maximum output, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.

Solar Panel Cold Weather Performance

Believe it or not, but the cold weather can be beneficial when it comes to the production of energy given off by solar panels. Solar panels are essentially another electronic device, much like computers, radios, or household appliances. Just like any electronic device, they function more efficiently in cold weather conditions compared to hotter temperatures. The winter months can also be the best time to install solar panels for home or business owners from an economic standpoint. The demand for solar panel installation is often at its lowest point during the cold winter months. However, the standard lower cost during the winter will undoubtedly attract a decent audience. Although the colder temperatures are not harmful to the solar panels themselves, it is important to be aware of the effect of cold weather on concrete if the base of the solar panels will need to be placed directly in the ground in front of a residence or commercial building.

Energy Production on Shortened Winter Days

It’s no secret that the amount of daylight on a given day during the winter is a lot shorter than during the summertime. Although this does reduce the amount of time a solar panel is working at full efficiency, the amount of sunlight available in most regions is more than enough to make it worth the while. Similarly, with cloudy days, a solar panel is operating at a reduced efficiency, given that it is not under the contact of direct sunlight. However, the important thing to remember is the amount of sun that the panel will be exposed to throughout the year rather than on a given day.

Is the Energy Output of Solar Panels Worth It in the Winter?

When installing solar panels during the winter months, it is important to view it as an investment to reduce the overall energy consumption throughout the year. Even with the potential of a solar panel running at a reduced efficiency due to inclement weather and lack of sunlight, there is still a high demand for solar panel installation during the winter.

If you are interested in Residential Solar Systems or Business Solar Systems then please contact our friendly customer service team on info@solarstream.ie or call 1800 929 009.