Often many homes install solar panels in order to use them to absorb solar energy and convert it into electricity as a way to reduce their electricity bills. However, many homes find that during the winter months when the solar panels are covered in snow, the electric bill is higher than it would be if the solar panels were not covered in snow. Why is this? Many users have hypothesized that snow will reduce the efficiency of their solar panels, so is their hypothesis accurate? Let’s find out.

How does snow affect solar panels?

The solar panel system applied in our daily life usually captures sunlight through Solar panels (i.e., photovoltaic panels), and then converts the captured sunlight into electricity through the solar power system. However, after heavy snowfall in winter, solar panels are often covered with snow. The sunlight captured by the photovoltaic panels will be reduced, which will also lead to a reduction in the amount of electricity converted by the solar power system, thus affecting the normal operation of the solar panels.

Will snow cover on the solar panel definitely reduce its working efficiency?

Yes. Globally, most solar panels have an optimal working temperature, and this temperature is generally around 25℃ to 35℃, compared to the summer, the temperature is lower in winter when it snows, and the working temperature of solar panels will be closer to the optimal temperature. Therefore, many people will unilaterally think that solar panels work more efficiently in snowy days. But is this really true? In fact, on snowy days, solar panels are easily covered by snow, and PV solar panels can hardly absorb sunlight, which makes the whole solar panel system almost impossible to operate normally. So, if snow covers the solar panel, it will definitely make it work less efficiently.

What can we do when snow covers the solar panel?

When snow covers the solar panel, the whole solar panel system will not work properly. We can either wait for gravity to kick in and let them slide off or wait for the weather to warm up and let them melt. But this will undoubtedly take longer. If the situation is urgent, we can find tools to clean the snow on the solar panels immediately or find professionals to do so while ensuring our own safety.

How to prevent snow from affecting the solar panels?

1. Use a foam-tipped snow broom: In order to clean up the snow-covered solar panels, some manufacturers have introduced a new type of tool, a foam-tipped snow broom. When using it, you need to gently scrape the snow to prevent damage to the solar panel.

2. When there is less snow, you can use a leaf blower to blow the snow directly off the solar panel.

3. When there is too much snow, a heater or a snow melting system adapted to the solar panel can be used.

4. Finally, After the snow has been removed, it is important to maintain the solar panels on a regular basis to give them a longer life.

The above methods are best left to the professionals, if privately handled, be sure to take safety measures.

In conclusion

when the heavy snow, if you find that the efficiency of the solar panel is much lower than normal, be sure to check whether the solar panel is snow, and then clean up the maintenance.