Do solar panels work in snow and during winter?
Your solar panels not only survive but thrive in the winter.
Solar panels run on sunshine—it’s right there in the name. But that doesn’t mean they need day after day of warm, sunny weather to operate. In fact, solar panels can generate electricity when it’s snowing and might even work better in colder weather.
More positives: many homeowners in cold-weather states see the most significant savings from going solar, and solar installers often lower their prices in winter during the winter months. Let’s talk about why solar panels are a great investment if you live in a snowy climate.
- 100% free to use, 100% online
- Access the lowest prices from installers near you
- Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help
Key takeaways
Solar panels work well in the winter as long as they don't stay covered in snow.
Solar panels are more efficient in colder weather than hot.
Snow typically melts or slides off of panels, as they are installed at an angle.
It’s a common myth that solar panels don’t work during winter. Interestingly, cold temperatures typically improve solar panel output, which means your panels will produce more power for each precious hour of sunshine during the short days of winter.
Solar panels work by turning sunlight into electricity. But air temperature doesn’t have much to do with that process. As long as your panels get enough sunlight, they’ll continue to create energy.
That said, heat will negatively affect your solar panels’ efficiency. A solar panel’s output power starts to degrade when the panel’s temperature rises above 25°C (77°F), though how much depends on the solar panel brand. It’s sort of like how your phone starts to slow down or even powers off when left out in the hot sun for too long.
But don’t worry—unlike your phone, your panels won’t shut off or malfunction just because thetemps rise too high; they just won’t generate as much electricity as they would on a cooler day. That said, the best weather for solar panel generation is on cold, sunny days.
Remember that even if you live in the northern U.S., the worst of winter only lasts about three months, so your days of low sunlight and heavy snow are limited. And the further from the equator you are, the longer your days are when the summer comes around. So while you may generate slightly less power on some of those short winter days, you’ll make up for it with extended sunshine in the summer.
Not only do solar panels work in the snow, white snow can reflect light from the ground and help improve PV performance. Snow will only hurt solar production if your panels are covered with heavy snow that blocks the sun’s rays from coming through.
Fortunately, snow coverage on panels is not much of an issue. Most panels are tilted at an angle, so snow tends to slide off on its own. If that’s not happening fast enough, you can take control of the situation by getting a solar panel snow rake or similar tool made for snow removal that won’t damage the panels.
It’s worth noting that all solar panels are designed to bear a certain amount of weight and snow and ice accumulation will usually not be heavy enough to cause damage. All solar panels undergo pressure tests to assess durability. Ratings vary by the panel, with higher pressure ratings indicating that your panels are better at withstanding the weight of heavy snow.
Sunny states (like California, Texas, and Florida) are not the only places where solar makes sense. In reality, the top states for solar in the U.S. typically experience snow every year. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranked Colorado, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York in the top 10 states with the most solar installed in 2023.
Homeowners in these cold-weather states tend to see bigger solar savings not only because their panels operate more efficiently, but and they tend to have higher electricity prices. If you’re curious about your potential solar savings, try out the Solar Calculator.
Winter is also the best time to shop for solar because companies usually lower their quotes as demand wanes. So if you’re looking for the best value possible, consider a winter solar installation.
- 100% free to use, 100% online
- Access the lowest prices from installers near you
- Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help
Explore heat pumps, the latest in clean heating & cooling technology.
See solar prices near you.
Enter your zip code to find out what typical solar installations cost in your neighborhood.