Starting from the beginning, according to experts, it’s a fact that installing solar panels in your home helps reduce energy costs. It’s one of the most economical energy sources available, as long as homeowners can afford the initial investment. And to the question of whether having solar panels in winter is also cost-effective, according to EnergySage, the answer is yes. Even if there are fewer hours of sunlight. Denmark, for example, is one of the leading countries in solar energy for homes, yet it’s not one of the countries with the most hours of sunshine in Europe.
WINTER: “Solar panels will still generate enough power in the winter to provide savings on your electricity bill”
On the one hand, if there are fewer hours of daylight, it’s clear that there is less solar radiation, and performance drops to 20% of normal capacity. On the other hand, the energy the panels receive is equally useful and, most importantly, more than enough for the installation to operate at full capacity, just like any other time of year. Furthermore, companies like EnergySage save homeowners an average of $10,000 in installation costs thanks to their incentives.
Experts assure that “despite snowstorms and shorter days, solar panels will still generate enough power in the winter to provide savings on your electricity bill.” By combining solar panels with an efficient heat pump for home climate control and an electric vehicle, solar panels can drive even more cost-effective improvements. When photovoltaic system manufacturers calculate the energy they will produce, they do so based on a standard temperature of 25°C. The reason is that at higher temperatures, performance decreases, especially above 35°C.
By reducing gas consumption at home and using the electrical grid, residents can reduce carbon pollution
According to experts and testimonies from farmers, for example, who live off the grid, solar panels work perfectly in winter, even with reduced efficiency. “And if your panels get covered in snow, they won’t be around for long. The smooth surface and angled orientation means any accumulated snow typically slides off once the sun comes out,” EnergySage says.
In addition to all this, experts also discuss the energy consumption associated with having or not having solar panels. Home energy consumption is a major source of pollution. By reducing gas consumption at home and using the electrical grid, residents can reduce carbon pollution. Let’s remember that pollution worsens the climate by raising temperatures in the summer and lowering them in the winter, raises sea levels as the polar ice caps melt, and warms and acidifies the oceans, detrimental to marine ecosystems.
The consumer becomes a producer of their own energy, making them self-sufficient
According to official data, solar energy has a long lifespan left, about 6.5 billion years, according to NASA. Because of this and all its benefits, it has become a major player in the sustainable energy system. It turns out that saving money on domestic energy with solar energy also helps mitigate the damage already done to the planet that has led to extreme global warming.
These are some of the advantages of having solar panels at home, even in winter. Furthermore, the installation is customized to suit the needs of each household. Maintenance is simple; the key is annual inspection of the panels to prevent any breakdowns; the consumer becomes a producer of their own energy, making them self-sufficient and not dependent on external sources; having greater control over energy expenditure also allows for more thoughtful consideration of how to be more efficient; in some places (search official websites for information), the so-called “sun tax” has been abolished since October 2018; a home with solar panels offers added value compared to other homes in terms of market value.
