Let’s face it – when winter rolls around, many solar system owners start to worry about their energy production dropping off. Those shorter days and gloomy skies can feel like they’re putting a damper on your savings and clean energy goals.
But here’s the good news: with some smart strategies and proper planning, you can keep your solar and energy storage system humming along efficiently even during the chilliest months. Read on to discover tips to optimize performance and savings during the colder months.
Why Winter Affects Your Solar Production
First, it’s worth understanding that production loss is normal during the winter season. So if you’ve checked your system’s monitoring app and notice lower production, don’t worry too much. Winter throws a few curveballs at solar systems, including:
- Shorter daylight hours mean less time for energy production
- Lower sun angles reduce the direct sunlight hitting your panels
- More rainy or cloudy days are common
We’ve designed our Xero Solar projects to factor in the seasonal changes.
Smart Strategies for Winter Solar Optimization and Energy Efficiency
1. Prepare Your Solar Panels for Winter
It’s a good idea to clean your solar panels before winter. Ensuring your panels are free of dirt, dust, and debris before the colder months helps maximize their efficiency when sunlight is already limited due to shorter days and a lower sun angle. Clean panels can better absorb any available sunlight, which is crucial for maintaining optimal energy production during winter. By starting winter with clean panels, you set up your system for better performance throughout the season.
2. Enhance Your Energy Storage
Having both solar and battery could help combat production loss during the winter months. Energy storage complements solar power by storing excess energy during sunnier days, allowing you to maximize your savings. By having that energy stored, you may be able to consume energy from your battery instead of the grid during peak hours.
Another added benefit of having a battery at home is that depending on your electricity provider, your excess energy credits will be applied to your winter bills. If you want to see a decrease in your winter bill costs and don’t currently have a battery, consider adding one to your system.
3. Take Advantage of Peak Sun Hours
Peak Sun Hours refer to the period when the sunlight intensity is so strong that it’s enough to generate maximum solar energy. Unlike regular sunlight hours, which include all daylight hours, Peak Sun Hours account only for the periods when the sun’s energy is at its peak.
Typically, one Peak Sun Hour equals 1,000 watts of solar energy per square meter. Peak Sun Hours usually occur between 11am and 4pm. We recommend that you run major appliances and anything that uses a lot of energy during this period. For example:
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- Schedule high-energy consumption activities (laundry, dishwashing) during Peak Sun Hours
- Pre-heat your home
- Use timer switches for electric water heaters
- Charge electric vehicles
If you have a battery, use your high consumption items after your batteries are fully charged. Then once your batteries are fully charged, you can enjoy the remaining Peak Sun Hours.
4. Use a Timer for Holiday Decor
If you plan on showing off your holiday spirit with a display of lights, consider using a timer to help with energy efficiency. With timed outdoor lighting, you can set a timer to turn your lights on and off at specific times. This timer will save you the time and money you would spend manually switching your lights on and off. The less energy you use, the further your solar production will go.
The Bottom Line
While winter presents some challenges for solar and energy storage systems, it is possible to maintain strong performance with the right approach. By combining smart preparation and strategic energy storage and use, you can keep those energy bills in check even during the shortest days of the year. And if you do notice any unusual drops in efficiency or declines in performance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Xero Solar, and we can help address issues to keep your system running smoothly.
With these strategies in place, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of your solar investment all year round.
