You may be wondering what you should do to prepare your solar system for winter, regardless of whether you live in a warmer climate with cold temperatures that are unpredictable or not. A SunPower Solar system requires very little maintenance. There are still some things that you will want to know. These are common questions homeowners have about certain subjects.
Do solar panels produce less energy during the winter months?
It’s simple: If it’s sunny outside, you are good to go. Your solar system can be used in many other seasons as well. SunPower solar panels can be used in colder conditions and even generate clean electricity on cloudy days. SunPower panels are known for being the most efficient on the market. This means they can produce more energy in a smaller space. SunPower solar panels produce 55% more electricity than traditional solar panels.
How do you remove snow from solar panels?
Many resources are available to homeowners on how to maintain their solar system. We even created a blog about how to clean solar panels. However, snow is not usually necessary to be removed from solar panels. It will usually melt away in a reasonable time, even in most places. The risk of removing snow is usually greater than the reward for increased production.
However, there are exceptions. There are exceptions to the rule. Do not attempt to remove snow from roofs or other high-heeled surfaces.
Can SunPower solar panels handle extreme winter weather conditions?
SunPower panels are very durable due to the design. A solar panel is composed of solar cells. SunPower’s solar cells are unique. A copper foundation supports them. Metal tracking is a common feature of conventional solar cells. This can make them susceptible to temperature changes. These thin conventional solar cells shrink and contract as they expand.
SunPower’s patent-pending solar cell design allows it to be flexible and strong in the same conditions. SunPower solar panels have the lowest degradability rate on the market. The rate at which a solar panel’s power output decreases over time is called the degradation rate. Our degradation rate is so low that we guarantee that solar panels will not lose more than 8 percent of their original DC output during our 25-year warranty. The conventional solar panels we mentioned earlier lose approximately 17% of their power output simultaneously.
How can you make your home winter-ready?
It is no secret that winter has shorter daylight hours. If you’re actively trying to conserve energy, this shouldn’t be a problem for your solar system. You can make your home less efficient to ensure your energy consumption doesn’t exceed your energy production.
- Keep unwanted cold weather out of your home with inexpensive methods like weatherstripping windows, doorstoppers and insulation electrical outlets.
- If necessary, you can add more insulation. This will reduce the energy required to heat your home.
- You can replace windows and doors with more efficient versions.
- Install a smart thermostat to maintain the ideal temperature at home and when you’re away.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare your solar system to withstand winter weather, particularly if you have SunPower solar panels. To help maintain low utility bills, however, it’s a good idea to monitor your consumption and production with the mySunPower application. Enjoy your home’s warmth and comfort knowing it is heated with cleaner, more efficient energy.