In recent decades, many homeowners have considered ways to live greener lifestyles. Some make smaller adjustments, such as purchasing energy-efficient lightbulbs or recycling. Others decide to make long-term adjustments to their home by investing in solar energy.
However, some people worry that solar panels will only work for them in the spring and summer. What about in the winter weather? How will solar panels in snow perform?
If you’re concerned about this, rest assured that solar panels perform efficiently in all four seasons. In this article, we’ll explain how snow affects your rooftop solar system. Let’s get started right away!
Does the Weight of Snow Damage Solar Panels in Winter?
People wonder if snow accumulation results in any damage to their solar panel systems. After all, some parts of the US can receive heavy snowfall. If piles of snow build on your panels, does it cause significant damage?
The short answer is no, except in some severe cases. Overall, the weight of snow won’t harm your panels. These systems have a pressure rating that measures how much pressure panels can take before taking damage.
Manufacturers contrived this system to guarantee their products’ safety. As a result, most snow panels can withstand from two to four feet of snow.
Should You Clean Your Solar Panels in Snow?
Most industry experts suggest that you should refrain from raking snow off your panels. Attempts to do so could void your warranty. Even worse, if you have a rooftop solar system, attempting to clean it could result in you hurting yourself.
If this stresses you out, don’t worry! Snow tends to melt from solar panels more quickly than it does on other parts of your roof. Even grounded snow melts slower than piles on your solar panels.
Why does this happen? Because your solar panel installation absorbs sunlight, the system constantly retains warmth. This heat makes the snow slicker, allowing it to slide right off the panels when the storm ends.
Even in freezing temperatures, snow melts quickly from panels. So, let the sun do your work on your behalf. If your panels take a while to melt the snow, you can contact professionals to clean them instead.
What About Solar Energy Efficiency?
As it turns out, solar energy systems tend to perform better in colder weather. Most electronics have a negative temperature coefficient, including solar panels. As a result, they experience less resistance in winter weather, allowing them to generate more electricity.
However, if your panels become completely covered with snow, it can halt their electric generation. While you could lose out on some money savings, we still recommend that you not try to rake snow from the system. Keeping yourself safe is worth losing a few dollars.
You Can Trust Your System
As you can see, there’s no need to worry about solar panels in snow. Snow rarely poses a threat to your system.
In fact, your system can still operate through snow, even if it’s a little less efficient. All in all, your system will likely prove sturdier than you realized.
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