Solar panels can work in space and underwater. There are even solar panels that produce a tiny amount of energy at night. But how do solar panels work when it’s snowing? Can they produce energy when they are buried in six inches of snow?
Solar panels can work in the snow but at a much-reduced rate. On days with heavy snowfall solar panels might not produce any energy at all.
Does this mean solar panels are not worth it if you live in snowy states like Maine, Colorado, or New Hampshire?
Not quite. Solar panels are still worth it even if you experience the heaviest snowfall.
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In this article, we will examine how solar panels are affected by snow and what you can do to reduce the effect of snowfall on your solar panels.
By the end of this article, you will understand why you don’t need to worry about snow and why solar panels are still a good investment even if you live in the snowier states.
Do Solar Panels Covered with Snow Still Work?
Solar panels can work even when they are covered in snow. Although they have a reduced output depending on how thick the layer of snow is, they still typically generate energy.
The U.S receives an average of about 54 days of snowfall in a year. Vermont is the snowiest state, receiving an average of 89.25 inches of snow per year. (Source)
| STATE | AVERAGE SNOWFALL (DAYS) | AVERAGE SNOWFALL (INCHES) |
| Vermont | 98 | 89.25 |
| Maine | 98 | 77.28 |
| New Hampshire | 95 | 71.44 |
| Colorado | 57 | 67.3 |
| Alaska | 144 | 64.46 |
How does snow affect the output of a solar panel and should you be worried? To answer this question, you need to understand how a solar panel works.
How does a solar panel work?
Solar panels work by converting the light from the sun into energy through the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is a process in which photons contained in light energize the electrons in a solar panel causing an electric current. This is why they are called photovoltaic solar panels. (Source)
How snow cover affects a solar panel
When a solar panel is covered or shaded, light does not get through. If light can’t get through to the solar cells, then the main ingredient needed for solar panels to produce an electric current is missing. Therefore, solar panels will not produce energy. Also find out “Will Ring Solar Panel Work In Shade? Where You Should Place It!“
This is what happens when solar panels are covered in snow. A thick layer of snow will prevent light from reaching the solar cells. A thin dusting of snow that allows some light to hit the solar cells will not affect the energy output as drastically.
Light snow can also improve solar energy production if the solar panels are not covered. Snow can act like a mirror reflecting more light onto the solar panels increasing their energy output.
Will snow break your solar panels?
Snowfall will not break your solar panels as they are encased in tempered glass that is six times stronger than ordinary glass. Solar panels can withstand a weight of up to 50 pounds per square foot so the weight of snow is not enough pressure to break them.
Find out more on this and check out our post ” How Much Weight Do Solar Panels Add to A Roof? What You Need To Know!“
Best solar panels for snow
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the most commonly used solar panels on the market. Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels will work effectively in snow conditions. Monocrystalline is the more efficient of the two at between 18 to 24% compared to 16 to 20% efficiency for polycrystalline. (Source)
Do Solar Panels Work in The Cold?
Solar panels see improved performance in the cold. Higher temperatures decrease the efficiency of a solar cell. This is why solar panels have a temperature coefficient. The temperature coefficient of a solar panel measures the decrease in efficiency with every 1°C increase over 25°C.
Cooler solar panels will produce more energy than panels under heat. The efficiency can be reduced by up to 15%. Does this mean solar panels work better in winter? Not quite. Solar panels still perform better in summer. Winter months have fewer hours of peak sunlight as the sun is lower in the sky. Overall, solar panels will produce less energy in winter than they will in summer.
Do You Have to Clean Snow Off Solar Panels?
You do not necessarily have to clean snow off solar panels. In most cases, it’s much better to let the snow fall or melt off the solar panels. Cleaning may only be necessary for rare instances of extremely heavy snowfall.
The design of a solar panel makes it easy for snow to fall off. Firstly, solar panels are encased in a thick layer of glass. Snow slides very easily off the glass.
Secondly, the dark tint of a solar panel draws a lot of heat. A solar panel can get as hot as 36°C in winter. As soon as the solar panel gets warm enough, the snow covering it will start to melt and slide off.
Snow helps to clean your solar panels. A snowstorm can wash away the dust and debris that accumulates on your solar panels over time. Dirt is worse for solar panel efficiency than snow is. Dust can create external resistance on a solar cell that reduces its efficiency by up to 85%. (Source)
How Do You Keep Solar Panels Clear of Snow?
The best way to keep solar panels clear of snow is to install them tilted at an angle. This allows snow to slide off on its own. Solar panels should be tilted not just to keep snow off but because it maximizes solar energy production. Tilting also reduces the dead weight of snow on the panels.
Some other measures you can take to keep your solar panels clear of snow are to:
- Get snow guards. The primary purpose of a snow guard is to prevent snow from falling at a high velocity from your solar panels to the ground. A large amount of snow falling from a high roof can create a mini avalanche that can damage your property or hurt someone.
- In extreme cases, you can use a snow rake or leaf blower to remove snow from your solar panels. This should only be used as a last resort as you could damage the solar panels and void your warranty in the process.
For more on this, we do highly recommend that you check out our post “Can You Use Rain X On Solar Panels? Panel Washing Brief Guide!“