Solar Panels in Winter

How to get the most power from your solar panels in Sussex this winter

Save on your energy bills this winter

One of the most common questions we get asked is “Do solar panels work in winter?” The answer is a resounding yes, especially down here in Sussex, where we get above-average amounts of sunshine, even in the winter months.

Modern solar panels are incredibly efficient and can provide plenty of power all year round, even on overcast days. That said, it’s unavoidable that the shorter winter days do indeed impact overall electricity generation from your solar system.

Alongside the fewer daylight hours, we tend to get more cloud, and the sun also doesn’t get as high in the sky, which can further reduce output. So, with this in mind, how do you make the most of your solar panels in winter? How do you make sure you generate as much power as possible, and make sure you use every last watt?

This guide explains just that.

Making Your Solar Panels in Sussex Work For You This Winter

There are several things you can do to ensure you get the most possible energy from your system during the winter months. Some are fairly straightforward, and others may require investment, but with energy prices continuing to rise, it’s almost always worth it.

Solar Panel Maintenance & Cleaning

Solar panels and the other components are incredibly reliable, and you can expect decades of use from them, but it’s a fact of life that sometimes things go wrong. We recommend booking a system check to make sure everything is working as it should.

Sometimes, an optimiser or mounting can move slightly, or a part can develop a fault that reduces the system’s efficiency. We can visit your property, analyse how your system is performing, and recommend any repairs or upgrades that might be needed - all with no obligation.

At the same time, we can safely give your panels a good clean. Even during our rainy autumns and winters, dirt, debris and grime can build up on the surface and reduce the amount of sunlight that gets through to the cells underneath.

Install a Solar Battery

A solar battery is one of the best investments you can make to transform your solar PV system and maximise its efficiency. These home batteries take the excess and unused energy generated from your panels during the day and store it for use at night, instead of you taking from the grid.

What’s more, they can also be charged from the grid overnight at a cheap rate, and then used at peak times to save you money, if your panels haven’t provided enough. In fact, you don’t even need solar panels on your roof to get the benefits of installing a battery.

Upgrade Your Solar Panels

Residential solar panels have been common for decades, but the technology underneath them has advanced leaps and bounds in that time. Modern solar panels are incredibly efficient, reliable, and affordable.If you’ve got the older, blue and silver solar panels, it might be time to consider upgrading to modern, all-black versions like those pictured.

These new panels are more efficient and have a higher output, so not only do they convert more of the sun’s energy for the same amount of daylight, but they also generate more power for the same physical size. For example, it’s rare to get more than 300W from the old blue panels, yet black ones easily deliver 4-500W, and in some cases even up to 700W.

By upgrading your panels, you could significantly increase the capacity of your system, make the most of the winter sunlight, and buy less energy from the grid. What’s more, the current surplus of panels on the market means it’s never been cheaper to upgrade. You could get a brand new, 455W Sunpower Maxeon panel for less than £100.

Install Solar Bird Protection

Bird protection is important all year round, but especially so in winter. Birds and other animals can seek shelter under your panels, and debris such as leaves, litter and twigs can also find their way under.

Over time, this can accumulate and cause the panel to run hot, reducing its efficiency. Installing bird protection is simple and affordable, and can help protect your investment. It will also stop birds from trying to nest under your panels come the spring and summer.

Contact Savent Solar to Help You This Winter

Contact us today to find out how we can help you keep your solar PV system in tip-top condition this winter. We’re always on hand to troubleshoot, undertake maintenance and advise you on the best way to upgrade and protect your investment.