Are you thinking about going solar but unsure if it works in cold climates? Believe it or not, there are numerous reasons why going solar can be beneficial, even during cold weather.
One reason is that solar panels don’t rely on heat from the sun to generate electricity. Instead, sunlight strikes photovoltaic cells in silicon and sets electrons in motion.
1. Solar Panels Energy Efficiency
Solar panels perform better in cold weather as the sun’s rays are easier to capture and snow on top melts quickly, helping maintain energy production despite fewer hours of sunlight during wintertime.
Solar panel efficiency decreases when temperatures rise, as they absorb energy from the sun’s heat instead of its light. This misconception is widely held, but it is actually accurate.
Installing solar panels without frames that can withstand snowfall is recommended; this will reduce snow accumulation on your solar panels. You may also adjust their angle to capture more sunlight, making it harder for snow to slide off but increasing overall output from your system.
2. Solar Panels Lower Maintenance Costs
Many homeowners consider solar panels to be a summer-only source of power, but they can actually provide energy during the winter months as well. Cold climates tend to get more concentrated sun rays during wintertime, allowing your panels to produce even more energy than during the summertime.
Your solar batteries will also run more efficiently during wintertime since they are less prone to overheating or breakdown. They can then be used to store excess power produced by your solar system and draw it back on sunny days when your home’s energy requirements are greatest.
However, roof-mounted solar panels may experience snow accumulation which could hinder their capacity to capture sunlight and produce energy. To combat this issue, tilting your panels upwards allows them to absorb more light without getting blocked by snow accumulation.
3. Reduced Electricity Bills
Many people mistakenly assume that solar panels cannot work in cold climates, but this may not be the case. In fact, research suggests colder weather conditions can actually be more efficient for solar power production than hotter ones.
In conclusion, solar panels operate best with lower temperatures than higher ones. That’s because electrons in your panels can more readily be activated when cold, resulting in a greater voltage difference when exposed to sunlight.
However, you should take care not to adjust your panels too steeply in winter as this could potentially reduce how much snow accumulates on them. Therefore, finding an optimal angle for solar panel illumination is key for maximizing their effectiveness.
4. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Solar panels have a much lower carbon footprint than fossil fuel-based electricity generation, as their manufacturing process produces much fewer emissions. However, some of the biggest contributors to climate change from solar energy production include mining and transport of metals and minerals used in their manufacture as well as emissions caused by waste management practices.
Food consumption also has a considerable effect on our carbon footprints. Growing, harvesting and transporting foods requires considerable energy – an energy which is then transferred back into us when we consume them.
Eating a high-protein diet, such as plant-based foods, can reduce your overall carbon footprint since it eliminates the energy spent on raising animals for meat or shipping their produce long distance. Likewise, cutting back on trips by car and using public transportation will further reduce your emissions.
Although the sun may not be visible in cold climates, you can still take advantage of its power with some creative thinking. Companies are now developing coatings that shed snow more readily and allow solar panels to function more effectively even in cold environments.