Do Solar Panels Work Well During Colorado Winters?

Solar energy technology has made mind-blowing strides in the last decade, and we’re seeing widespread adoption of solar panels across the United States. From residential homes to corporate America, solar power and solar panels are everywhere.

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando opened a 270-acre solar panel farm that now powers two entire theme parks. It also powers a quarter of the whole resort property, which is twice the size of Manhattan.

“But that’s Florida,” you think. “It’s literally the Sunshine State. What about those of us living in colder climates like Denver?”

Believe it or not, solar panels don’t need warm weather to thrive. This has actually been one of the biggest obstacles to adopting solar panels around the world, experts say.

Because of the word “solar,” people assume that solar panels can only work in a state of constant summer. But that’s a myth.

Solar Panels Actually Perform Better in Cold Weather

Here’s a fact that surprises most homeowners: solar panels are powered by light, not heat. So whether the weather calls for swim trunks or snowsuits, your solar panels will work just fine. In fact, solar panels perform better in cold weather than in extreme heat.

Like most electronic devices, solar cells actually produce more power in cooler temperatures. That’s because the electrons in your solar panels generate electricity as they get excited by sunlight’s photons. When those electrons are at lower temperatures, they produce even more energy as they “wake up.” 

So even if your winter solar panels get less light during shorter daylight hours, you’ll get more power out of them when it’s cold outside. Understanding why solar panels work well in Colorado helps explain this counterintuitive performance boost.

How Winter Solar Panels Work Year-Round

“But isn’t there less sunlight in the winter months?” Good question. Consider the following:

Solar panels don’t deplete their energy when sunlight hits them. Your solar power system stores up energy, so you’re still benefitting from last month’s sunshine today. Lower solar production during darker times of the day is offset by solar power stored during the brighter hours.

UV rays pass through clouds, so even on an overcast afternoon, your solar panels are still harvesting solar energy. It’s the same reason you can get a sunburn on a cloudy day at the beach! While very dense cloud cover can reduce your solar panel efficiency, it won’t render the panels useless.

Solar panels are designed to attract sunlight, so even on a dimmer day with less sunlight, they can catch more than you might think. Your solar array continues to generate electricity even in winter weather. Solar panels are simply more versatile than most people realize.

Do Solar Panels Work in Snow?

One of the most common questions Colorado homeowners ask: Do solar panels work when covered with snow?

Indeed, heavy snow accumulation can temporarily reduce the energy your solar panels produce. But even with solar panels in Denver, Colorado, no stranger to winter storms and heavy snowfall, snow is not as big a problem as you might think.

Why Snow Doesn’t Stop Solar Production

Solar panels are designed with snow in mind. They’re angled so that most snow will simply slide right off. Their dark surface absorbs sunlight, helping snow melt pretty quickly. Light, powdery snow common on the Front Range often clears within hours.

The panels are also built to withstand the weight and pressure of heavy snowfall and extreme cold. Different units are designed with different maximum pressure capacities and rated accordingly. If you install solar panels in Denver, make sure your units are rated to withstand Colorado’s average annual snowfall and winter storms. Learning how to tell if your roof is suitable for solar can help you plan for proper panel placement and snow load considerations.

Even when snow completely covers your solar panels, the photovoltaic cells underneath remain undamaged. Once the snow clears, either naturally or with help, your solar panels will immediately resume generating power. The brief periods of reduced solar output during heavy snowfall are typically offset by Colorado’s many clear, sunny winter days.

Even if your solar panels end up covered in snow with no sign of snow melt in sight, you can quickly and safely clear the surface using a simple “solar panel snow rake.” This easy tool is designed for this very predicament and won’t damage your solar panel installation.

Snow Clearance Tips for Winter Solar Panels

Here are proven methods to keep your solar panels producing power through winter conditions and heavy snow:

• Natural snow shedding works well when solar panels are tilted at 35-45 degrees.
• Wait for sunshine since Colorado’s 300+ sunny winter days often clear snow from panels within 24-48 hours.
• Professional maintenance from certified technicians can help with heavy snowfall situations.

The good news: most snow doesn’t stick around long on solar panels. Colorado’s dry climate and abundant winter sunshine mean your solar panels work through most winter weather with minimal intervention.

Battery Storage: Your Winter Energy Independence Solution

One of the smartest additions to any solar power system is solar battery storage. A home battery system transforms how your winter solar panels operate by storing excess solar energy during sunny days for use on cloudy days, snow days, or at night. Understanding how solar battery storage benefits your home can help you maximize your system’s year-round performance.

With solar battery storage, your solar systems continue to operate in winter, even during extended cloudy periods, heavy snow, or winter storms. You’re not dependent on the grid when outages hit. Net metering also helps, as any excess solar energy your panels produce is credited to the utility company, which you can draw from during winter months when solar production dips due to snow or shorter days.

Battery storage gives you true energy independence. When paired with an appropriately sized solar array, your solar battery can provide backup power for 2-3 days during grid outages from winter storms or heavy snow. That peace of mind is especially valuable during Colorado’s unpredictable winter weather.

Front Range Winter Performance: Real Numbers

How well do solar panels work in the winter here in Colorado? Your solar panels generate roughly 65-75% of their summer production during Front Range winters. Denver area solar installations average 3.2-4.1 kWh per installed kilowatt daily between December and February. That’s still significant solar savings on your electricity bills when heating costs are highest.

Colorado’s high altitude and frequent clear skies help your solar power system perform well even with shorter daylight hours. The crisp, cold weather actually boosts solar panel efficiency, unlike hot summer afternoons, when extreme heat can reduce output. Your PV panels work harder in winter’s cooler temperatures, partially making up for less sunlight.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn their solar panels work throughout the winter months with minimal drop in overall annual production. The key is understanding that solar panels work differently in winter than in summer: fewer total sunlight hours, but more efficient power generation during those hours. Your solar panels keep working even on the coldest days.

Exploring tips for optimizing your solar panel output can help you get even more from your system during the winter months.

A Look Around the World: Solar Panels in Cold Climates

We have our fair share of solar panels in Denver, which is already compelling evidence that solar panels work well in cold weather and northern climates.

Millions of Colorado homeowners and businesses have installed solar panels on their roofs, and they didn’t do it for looks alone, even though the panels do look pretty cool. They did it because solar panels are effective at reducing energy costs. As a bonus, they’re good for the environment too.

We aren’t alone here in the Centennial State. Three of the top 10 cities with the highest solar adoption rates are in colder-weather climates. Denver is one of them! The other two are New York, which takes the top spot, and Philadelphia. 

Meanwhile, Boston, New England cities like Milwaukee and Minneapolis, plus Detroit, the District of Columbia, St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus, Anchorage, and Seattle are all in the Top 25. In those cities, winter is actually the most common time for installing new solar panels. People see the value of solar energy year-round.

Germany, a country that sees far less sunlight than Colorado on average, is the world’s #1 adopter of solar panels. Solar energy provides 7% of the country’s total energy, and solar panels in German cities sometimes meet 50% of midday energy demand. If solar panels work in Germany’s cold climates, they’ll definitely work in sunny Colorado.

Why Winter Is a Great Time to Install Solar Panels

If you’re thinking about going solar, don’t wait for summer. Now that you know solar panels work in the winter, consider these benefits of winter installation:

• Faster scheduling since installers are less busy during winter than during peak summer months.
• Start banking credits through net metering before the summer’s high-solar-production season.
• Reduce winter heating costs by generating your own electricity when you need it most.

Your solar panels will start generating power and solar savings immediately after installation, even during winter months. Solar panels work year-round in Colorado’s climate. 

If you’re ready to explore your options, our Denver solar installation services can help you get started with a system designed for Colorado’s unique conditions.

Schedule a Colorado Home Energy Audit

Could solar panels work well during winter at your house? Do you want to know if your roof is a good fit for solar panels? We encourage you to contact our office and schedule a home energy audit.

We’ll send a certified building performance analyst to evaluate your home and determine the performance and solar savings you might achieve with solar panels. Our BPI-certified team will also identify efficiency improvements that help your solar power system perform even more effectively year-round.

REenergizeCO is a Colorado-based home energy-efficiency company that helps homeowners increase their comfort, reduce their energy bills, and prolong the life of their homes. Our NABCEP-certified solar experts have helped countless homeowners install solar panels across Denver and Fort Collins and we know firsthand that solar panels work great in Colorado’s snowy winters.  We can also help you understand your options for solar battery storage and affordable solar panel installation in Denver.