Why Your Solar Panel’s Efficiency Increases in Cooler Weather
Do you have concerns about solar panel performance in the winter? Rest assured, solar panels typically perform better on cold days than during summer heat waves. Learn why your solar panel’s efficiency increases in cooler weather, and how East Washington’s climate impacts power production, with insight from the region’s most trusted solar installation company.
How cold weather improves solar panel efficiency
Cooler temperatures increase voltage output and reduce thermal degradation.
Is solar power worth it in Spokane?
East Washington’s cool, sunny climate and mild winters offer the ideal setting for generating solar power.
Tips to maximize solar output in cold climates
Keeping solar panels clean, removing sunlight obstructions, routine maintenance, and monitoring ensure optimal energy production.
Effect of Temperature on Solar Panel Performance Explained
Our customers are often surprised to discover that solar systems perform better in cold weather. Solar panels require sunlight, not warmth, for power production. High temperatures reduce voltage output and stress system components, causing thermal degradation that negatively impacts output and lifespan. Electrical conductivity improves and resistance decreases as temperatures fall, allowing for higher voltage output and enhanced efficiency per watt of sunlight absorbed.
East Washington’s Cooler Climate and Mild Winters Fuel Solar Power Production
Spokane and surrounding cities offer an ideal setting for producing solar power, receiving as much sunlight as many parts of California and Arizona – about 260 days of sunshine annually. Long, dry summer and clear, crisp winter days offer maximum power production. Snow compounds the effect, reflecting more sunlight onto panels. Choosing bifacial panels, which collect sunlight from both sides, ensures maximum absorption.
Our local solar panel installers ensure success by securely mounting the right number of solar panels to meet your energy production needs at the ideal location and orientation for optimal solar gain, with a steep tilt to facilitate natural snow sloughing. Our Tier-1 Talesun solar panels withstand temperatures down to -40°F, including bypass diode technology to allow current flow and minimize loss around snow-covered panel sections.
Winter Solar Panel Efficiency Tips
Although your solar panels perform better in colder temperatures, total daily production in winter tends to be lower than in summer months due to shorter days and lower sun angle. To make the most out of every watt of power produced and improve solar panel output in winter, we recommend:
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Trimming nearby trees to facilitate maximum sun exposure during peak hours
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Regularly monitoring system performance
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Scheduling an annual professional cleaning and solar health check
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Considering microinverter or power optimizer additions to minimize the impact of snow or low sun angles
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Ensuring your battery storage system is equipped to handle winter weather
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Carefully managing energy use on shorter winter days
Maximize Your Solar Investment
Now that you know why your solar panel’s efficiency increases in cooler weather, ensure strong performance year-round with a solar energy system professionally designed, installed, and maintained by PacWest Solar. Contact us at 509-929-2728 to schedule a solar energy assessment in Kootenai County (Athol, Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Lake Village, Harrison, Hayden Lake, Huetter, Post Falls) and Spokane County (Airway Heights, Cheney, Deer Park, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spangle, and Spokane, Pullman) today.