With the mounting pressure to address climate change, solar panels help achieve zero emissions and a negligible carbon footprint. While the demand for solar energy is increasing, people living in cold climates believe that switching to solar is not a good investment. There exists a common myth that solar panels for cold climates do not perform well. This, however, is not the case. Solar panels work in cold regions and produce electricity efficiently during cold weather.
Are solar panels for cold climates practical?
Weather conditions can affect solar panel performance. If snow remains on the solar panel for an extended period, performance may be affected. Some solar panels may experience lifting in windy weather and be seriously damaged due to it.
Nevertheless, solar panels work all year round during spring, summer, and fall. Sunlight is the strongest during summer, even with its occasional rains. Spring brings adequate temperatures suitable to the solar panel’s semiconductors which work best in low-temperature settings.
Efficiency in cold weather
Certain features can ease the efficiency of solar panels for cold climates:
Solar panel orientation for cold climates – The orientation of a solar panel affects the amount of sunlight that is absorbed by the solar panel. A solar panel facing the sun will absorb more light than one facing away from the sun, which means that the efficiency of a solar panel can be determined by its orientation.
When a solar panel is covered in snow, it affects energy production, and the snow must melt quickly for solar panels to generate electricity. When installing solar panels for cold climates, especially in regions with snowfall, it is preferable to go for a horizontal orientation with vertically mounted panels.
Mounting adjustable panels for a cold and snowy winter – Another way to improve the efficiency of solar panels for cold climates is to install adjustable mounts, which can help tilt the panels and allow the snow to fall. This feature increases solar energy production. The tilt may be adjusted per the Earth’s revolution and rotation over the year for optimal efficiency. The panel’s mounting and orientation can be customised for individuals by a qualified solar panel installer.
Putting up snow guards for solar panels – Installing snow guards to the solar panels for cold climates prevents any damage. It is an excellent investment for PV modules. The solar PV modules attract the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity. The effect of the sun’s rays causes the solar panels to warm up and makes the snow melt. Large chunks of snow may cause damage, which can be prevented by installing snow guards. The weight of the heavy snow causes damage to the solar panels, which the snow guards may mitigate.
Technology is constantly evolving to produce energy more efficiently to address decreased supply in winter. The design and orientation of these energy systems are also changing to guarantee energy supply and proper use of solar panels for cold climates.
Nimbus Solar Solutions: Making renewable energy accessible
Nimbus Solar, the solar division of Nimbus, was started with a visionary approach to extend its offerings for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural purposes. It supplies a wide range of solar products that use the industry’s best components. Equipped with the latest and most sophisticated solar products, we are backed by a team of experienced and dedicated engineers and technicians.
With a Pan-India presence, we provide highly efficient and customized products and expert technical services for installation and maintenance and education to support it.
For more information, visit: https://nimbussolar.in/
