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Homeowners in states that experience significant cloud cover or snow often wonder if it’s worth it to install solar panels. They might assume solar panels can’t generate electricity in cold, snowy weather or guess heavy snowfalls could damage solar systems.
So, what are the facts?
Snow, like heavy cloud cover, does affect solar panel performance. However, solar panels can produce electricity even on cloudy or snowy days, and high-quality solar panels are built to withstand significant snow load. LG’s NeON® 2 and NeON® R solar panels, for example, are built to handle 5,400 Pa (Pascal) of front load – that’s the equivalent of almost 113 pounds per square foot of snow.
Will My Solar Panels Work on Cloudy or Snowy Days?
Solar panels work best, of course, when they receive direct sunlight (although temperatures that are too hot can actually decrease their power output1). Still, a solar system does generate power even on overcast days. According to CleanTechnica, solar panels can produce 10–25% of their typical output on a cloudy day.2
Keep in mind, however, that it all balances out. Your LG PRO solar installer takes your regional weather into account when calculating how much sunlight your home is likely to receive on an annual basis. This helps the installer design a solar system that can supply the amount of electricity you need. In states where net metering is available, homeowners receive energy credits for excess power sent to the grid from their solar panels during sunnier months. These credits can be applied to electricity bills during cloudy or snowy seasons.
So, what about snow?
As with clouds, snow that covers solar panels prevents sunlight from reaching the solar cells, affecting the solar panels’ performance. Still, solar panels can operate when they are partially covered by snow (though at lower efficiency levels than on a clear, sunny day when there is no snow cover). When the panels aren’t completely covered, light reflected from snow may actually enhance their performance.3
Snow Removal from Solar Panels
Most homeowners simply wait until sun or heat generated by their solar panels melts snow cover. Because most solar systems are installed at a tilt, snow will eventually slide right off the panels (which all installers should take into consideration for safety reasons).
Some homeowners choose not to wait, however. They prefer to remove snow from solar panels with specially designed equipment, such as a snow roof rake. If you plan to undertake this project, it’s important to take precautions so that you, your family members and your pets won’t be hit by heavy falling snow while you clean off your panels. You probably won’t be able to remove all of the snow, although removing some snow cover will boost the potential for light absorption. If you’re interested in learning how to safely remove snow from your solar panels, contact your LG PRO installer for professional advice.
So, What’s the Verdict?
In the end, what’s important to know is that solar systems do indeed work in cold, snowy states, and high-quality solar panels such as LG’s solar products are built to withstand heavy snowfalls. Minnesota, in fact, has enough solar power installed to power 168,024 homes!4
