All climates experience winter differently. More snow falls in the North, but it still happens in the South. You need a smart way to keep your power going while saving on energy consumption in the winter. If you need extra energy-saving help, take the chance to find out how to save during the winter with solar energy.
Why Should You Save Solar Energy?
Saving energy helps when needing extra power at night. You may not consider using solar energy during the winter or preserving energy for long, frigid days. There are many great ways to maintain power during the winter. Rethink how to manage energy consumption in commercial buildings while keeping them safe and warm.
Is Energy Output Worth It in the Winter?
Energy output in the winter is the mightiest thing to get you through the rough part of the year. It doesn’t matter what coast or climate you’re in; winter influences everything, including those down South who occasionally experience light flurries.
It’s worth outputting more energy in the winter than in summer. Why, you may ask, is it worth using solar power in the winter? We’d say it’s because of the solar panel’s temperatures. Solar panels are colder in the morning and warmer at night.
The Effectiveness of Solar Panels in the Winter
Solar panels are colder because of the increased circuit voltage during the day. Once the voltage spreads, it allows the panels to absorb sunlight. And during the night, it becomes hot. The reason it’s hot is that it’s been pointing up at the sky the entire day.
Using Solar Energy on Shorter Days
The most significant solar energy effect comes when using it on shorter days. While you store energy to use throughout the evening, you’ll have the advantage of using your panels throughout the shortened days. Even while your region experiences cloudy days, it still receives energy from the sun.
How To Deal With Snow on Your Solar Panels
Snow’s a burden to northern parts of the country, but you may still contend with chilly days in your climate. Although snowfall does affect solar panels, it’s tolerable. If you aren’t careful enough and don’t keep snow off the panels, it can impact energy levels.
A soft brush is the best way to remove snow from the panels. Don’t use a car brush, as the bristles are stiff and scratch glass. Instead, use a snow broom with a foam head. The foam’s soft enough to slide across the panels, removing snow.
Other ways to prevent or remove snow on solar panels include:
- Install a heating system
- Trim your tree branches
- Use a hose to remove the remaining snow, then dry the panels with a cloth
- Cover them with a tarp
How To Enhance Solar Panels in the Winter
Even if snow doesn’t make the list of concerns for you this coming winter, it’s a great idea to still prepare your solar panels, so they’re ready for the wintry weather. Use these suggestions to take care of your solar panel system.
Maintain the Solar Panel System
Throughout the year, you will adjust and inspect the solar panel system. During the winter, you will clean the panels more often than expected. If you haven’t cleaned since the summer, winter’s the best time, even with shorter days. By doing this, you’ll enhance their sun absorption.
Add a Solar Battery
An added solar battery helps in several ways. Depending on your climate, you may see fewer sunny days. Some states like Arizona see 300 sunny days, beating Florida’s 237. Again, this all has to do with climate.
Florida often experiences storms because of the tropical climate, while Arizona doesn’t have rain as often due to its arid climate. Although there’s plenty of greenery, it’s a state that shares a significant part of its climate with other dry regions. And despite all that, you’ll still need a solar battery.
On average, an American family uses close to 29 kWh daily, but it increases as it gets colder, and people spend more time indoors. The kWh usage takes a more significant toll on utility bills during this time, so having an additional solar battery helps that. When you install a solar battery, you create limits to how much energy’s used throughout the day, leading to more savings later.
Change the Solar Panel’s Angle
Now that summer’s over, it’s time to adjust your solar panel’s tilt. The panels should be at an angle where the sun can directly hit them. Talk with your solar system installer about the best angle to tilt the panels.
Busting the Myths of Solar Power in Winter
Solar power is a practical thing to use all year round. However, some myths have gained notoriety claiming that this isn’t true. Here are the answers to the most common myths about solar power in winter.
It’s an Expensive Use of Energy
It’s more of a tax incentive than an expensive power source. It’s not expensive at all, but it is expansive. If you want the ultimate power source and to shout from your rooftop that you’ve “got the power,” then do so with solar energy.
Solar energy’s an ongoing effort to beat climate change and enhance how the average person uses energy throughout the year, including the winter. Take time to learn about commercial solar panel installation for your building today. It’s the right way to conserve energy while powering a building.
One Inch of Snow Ruins the Solar Panels
Nope, not even an inch hurts the solar panels if it’s lying around them, but if it’s in a heap on the panel glass, and you don’t wipe it down, it becomes an issue. However, snow’s not a problem, and it never will be. Just keep sweeping it off to avoid a reduction in consumption power.
Solar Energy Isn’t Possible in Winter
We made this whole discussion of how to save during the winter months with solar energy to solely bust this myth. Solar panels work 365 days a year. All you need to do is continue the usual maintenance and upkeep, but other than that, you’re golden.
A commercial building owner could save more by using solar panels. Discover how you save extra by switching to solar energy with Go Solar Power. We’re a hardworking team that looks to enhance every family and business owner with solar panels. If you feel ready to learn more, our representatives are happy to talk and answer your questions.
