Seasonality And Solar Output

Do solar panels produce more in summer than winter?

Solar Output Seasonality

Solar panels are an excellent investment due to their year-round functionality. This being said, their output in the summer versus the winter will likely differ. This is due to a variety of factors that impact their efficiency and production potential. As a knowledgeable homeowner, it is important to understand these output differences in order to maximize your investment.  

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Differences in Solar Energy Output

During the peak winter months, December to January, solar panels produce 40-60% less energy when compared to the peak summer months of July to August. Because of this difference, solar panels see their maximum efficiency during those hot summer days. Meaning, it is important to maximize energy storage to prepare for the less effective winter months. 

California Solar Production

Sunny California may seem like it would produce the same energy all year round, but that isn’t necessarily true. Even though it is known for its warm rays and blue skies, California sees a decreased energy output from solar panels during the months of October to February. Peak months for the state include May to August.

Factors Impacting Energy Production

There are a variety of factors that contribute to the less effective winter energy output. These include:

The sun’s angle

During the winter, the angle at which the sun sits is actually different than how it is during the summer. Even during peak daylight hours, around noon, the sun sits much lower in the sky during the winter. Depending on how solar panels are installed, this means there is less contact between the sun’s rays and the panels. Less direct interaction between the sun and the solar panels means less energy production.

Shorter ‘daytime’ window

As shown by the need for daylight savings, winter days are considerably shorter than in the summer. Though it may be obvious, the less time during the day that the sun is up, the less time the rays have to interact with the solar panels. This causes a decrease in the amount of energy that can be produced during any winter given day.  

Seasonal atmospheric conditions

Winter weather often comes with cloudy skies, stormy weather, and the occasional snow storm, depending on location. These atmospheric changes  contribute significantly to energy production. During snow storms, solar panels can range from function limitedly to not functioning at all. This depends on the amount of precipitation that accumulates on the panel itself. A light covering lends to lower energy production. But, a heavy snow can limit the solar system in its entirety.  

The Albedo effect

The Albedo effect is an offshoot of the seasonal atmospheric conditions that come with the winter months. This phenomenon happens when the snow reflects large amounts of sunlight from the earth back into the atmosphere. This contributes to a large reduction in energy production, especially to those in snowier states.  

Changing temperatures

Like most technology, solar panels have a peak functioning temperature. On average, this temperature sits around 77° Fahrenheit. In most locations, the wintertime leads to lower temperatures than this.  Any temperature changes above or below 77° can decrease the solar system’s output by 0.3% to 0.5%, limiting the overall energy efficiency. 

 

While the seasonal factors to solar panel production may seem daunting, states like California generally bode for a better year-round energy output. Due to its more moderate temperatures, and general lack of major cold weather events like sleet and snow storms, the variability in energy production from solar panels is much more minor.  

Considerations

The most common question when it comes to running solar panel systems with limited output is will this cause high electricity bills over time? Common logic would lead to the belief that running your panel system all winter while it is underproducing energy would be ineffective for output and cause overuse that would lead to spiking electricity bills. This, however, is not necessarily the reality.

Net Metering

Net metering is the process in which a solar panel system or any other renewable energy generators are connected to a power grid used by the public. The surplus power generated by the solar panel systems is then transferred to the grid, allowing for the cost of power to be offset. 

Most areas have net metering programs that run on an annual basis. Most solar systems are built with the total yearly electricity output in mind. This allows for a holistic picture that reflects what the system can produce in all four seasons. When solar panel systems are constructed, they can be designed to overproduce during the warmer, sunnier months of spring and summer, so there is enough build up when the colder, cloudier months of fall and winter. 

These mitigation techniques are important to ensure the solar panel system functions effectively all year long. Trusting the solar industry experts, like Citadel Roofing and Solar, to install your panel system will guarantee the correct sizing, design, and metering based on home size and location. 

California Cost and Credits

Solar panels and solar panel home systems can be expensive. In California, the average cost of a 6.4 kW system has a cost of around $19,000 after applicable credits. This may seem like a hefty price tag, but the energy production return is often worth it. $19,000 boils down to around 3$ per watt for the system, and approximately  6 cents per kWh for the produced electricity. While the state of California no longer offers a state solar tax credit, the federal solar tax credit is still effective and can have promising returns. The current federal solar tax credit is worth 30% of the installed cost of a solar panel and/or solar battery system. Tax credits can be rolled over from year to year, but it is best to consult with solar experts before making any major decisions. 

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Work with the Experts

Your local California experts, Citadel Roofing and Solar, are here to help with any solar panel system needs. As solar industry professionals, they know best about California’s net metering credits, how to maximize them on an net metering annual system, understanding expirations, and how to utilize credits to your advantage. Call us today! 

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