When homeowners are considering investing in solar panels, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether cold temperatures affect the system. Although it very rarely snows in Scottsdale, it’s still important to know whether you can expect to generate energy in the wintertime. As one of Arizona’s best solar contractors, Aneva Solar wants our customers to know one important thing: solar panels work even better in cold temperatures! This means installing solar panels in your home will help you generate safe, efficient energy all year long.
Here’s what you need to know about cold temperatures and your solar panels:
- Solar panels work with sunlight, not heat: Many people are confused about whether solar panels will work in the winter because they’re under the assumption that heat is what fuels the power production. On the contrary, solar panels use sunlight—which is abundant in Scottsdale all year round—to generate electricity. That’s why your panels might struggle on cloudy days or in heavy snow, but will continue to produce energy as long as the sun is shining. As long as the sun hits the panels—more on that soon—you’ll produce energy.
- Producing energy is more efficient in the winter: Not only do solar panels still work in cold temperatures, but the cool weather actually makes energy production more efficient. Heat reduces the ability of electrons to move around atoms and create solar energy. When panels get hot, they produce less electricity—so those chilly winter days will likely be some of your most productive. This balances out with summer heat. The heat makes it a slower process, but there are more sunny hours in the day to produce electricity.
- You can change the angles to capture more light: Obviously, the most important thing is that your solar panels are positioned in a way where they’ll catch the sunlight. Since the angle of the sunlight changes during the winter, you can also change the angle of your solar panels to maximize their exposure. The days might be shorter, but the increased productivity due to cold temperatures helps make up for less daylight.
- Solar panels help provide backup energy: When it’s cold outside, the last thing you want is to go without power—but if there’s an outage, that’s exactly what you’ll have to do. Unless you have backup generators at the ready, your solar panels can provide enough stored electricity to keep you warm until power is restored. This is especially important for the elderly and those with health conditions that may be exacerbated by the cold.
Solar panels are a smart investment in Arizona, thanks to the year-round abundant sunshine. Even in the winter, you can expect to generate plenty of power, especially if you adjust your angles to capture the most sunlight as possible.
When you’re ready to install solar panels, Aneva Solar is here to help. We’re one of Arizona’s best solar contractors, and can match you with a system and plan that will meet your home’s or business’s needs.