Residential fall & winter solar energy production in Victoria

Roofing companies in Victoria are debunking the common misconception that solar panels don’t work well enough in fall & winter. They do, and it’s worth noting they’re even more efficient during this time because of colder temperatures!

Factors affecting production in fall & winter

• Snowfall
• Increase in cloudy days
• Decrease in daylight hours

So let’s address how effective solar energy production is in Victoria in fall & winter. The factors that affect production are snowfall, an increase in cloudy days, and less light duration.

In order to compare with other seasons, we need to consider solar efficiency, which currently ranges between 10% - 25%, depending on the type of solar panel. That percentage is the amount of sunlight able to be converted into electricity. 

Snowfall

Fortunately, we don’t tend to get a lot of snow here, and when we do it doesn’t last very long. A light dusting has virtually no effect on production as it’s soon blown away. A heap of snow sitting on a solar panel will prevent it from generating power. However, solar panels are very smooth and installed at an angle so that snow will slide right off sooner than later. (Plus, snow in the surrounding area means more light due to reflection.)

Cloudy days

Since solar panels harness light, they generate electricity for your home even on cloudy days typical in November through February. Depending on how heavy the cloud cover is, one can expect losses of 10% - 25%. That gives a range of 7.5%- 19% efficiency in the lower range, and 9% - 22.5% in the upper range, instead of 10%-25% normally.

Decreasing daylight

The biggest factor in production comes from shorter days, since there is less daylight time for power generation. However it’s not enough to offset the gains made the rest of the year.

The value of solar power comes from its annual production which factors in excess electricity created over summer to cover the diminishment in fall & winter.

And now you can see some of that information for yourself. Newly available this month, find out how much sunlight an individual building in Victoria receives as well as its energy potential, potential solar system costs, rebates and financing. It’s called the Solar Rooftop Tool, which you can try out here. Find more useful info in the FAQ.

Based on this kind of information, Victoria’s solar roofing services will provide you with a detailed plan for a solar energy system designed for your unique circumstances. They’ll also go over roof suitability, installation size, panel choices, energy use and budget, so you can make an informed decision that's right for you.

Netzero Solar provides net-zero energy solutions to empower our clients to start generating their own energy, even in winter! Call us today to get a customized plan for your home. 250-516-5932