Fast read
Winter is an ideal time to install solar panels. While summer is more popular, winter offers benefits like shorter wait times for installation and better working conditions for installers. Cooler temperatures can improve solar panel efficiency, and it’s easier to prepare your roof for installation.
Winter’s low sun angle helps determine the best panel placement, minimising shading issues. Installing in winter also lets you start saving on energy bills sooner, preparing you for the higher electricity costs that come with summer. Overall, a winter installation offers quicker results and greater savings.
Is winter a good time to install solar?
While summer is most popular for solar panel installation, we believe winter is more beneficial for most homeowners.
It is common to say yet false, that solar panels are less efficient in winter. Your solar panels can still produce energy, even if there are low temperatures and heavy clouds. In fact, during colder weather, solar panel efficiency may increase whereas high temperatures on the roof can reduce panel efficiency.
These are five top reasons we recommend that you set up your winter home solar system:
Beat the rush in Winter
Typically there is a mad rush to get solar power systems installed by Christmas. That’s because most people want to tidy up loose ends and have their projects finalised so they can enjoy the Christmas/New Year holidays in peace. Typically January is a quiet time for installations as many solar companies shut down for a good portion of the month. So you may find yourself waiting for weeks on end during the summer time for an installer to arrive at your home.
Whereas in Winter you won’t need to wait too long to have your solar panels installed as there are fewer installation jobs around. Also, the working conditions on the roof for installers are much more comfortable in Winter. So look out for Winter promotions which may be more affordable.
Roof Preparation in Winter
Prior to the installation of the solar panels, there may be some roof preparation required. Winter is the ideal time for roof repair or lichen removal where rooftop temperatures are cooler making the job much easier than in the heat of Summer.
As a tip why not not line up roof preparation and cleaning and solar installation during the colder months?
The best location for solar panels
In Winter the Sun is at the lowest point in the sky and is casting the widest possible shadow. So you can get a good understanding of where the optimum location should be to avoid or minimise shade. However in summer when the sun is higher in the sky it may not be so obvious to the best location to minimise shading of the solar panels.
Save money sooner
Start reaping the benefits now by having your solar system installed in the winter. Why delay savings that can assist in offsetting future energy increases? A winter installation can put you in front of the curve as you will be able to monitor usage and adjust
Beat the heat
Electricity bills rise as temperatures rise in summer. The months of December, January and February are when homeowners tend to use the most AC. Being prepared in advance can help you cut costs. You don’t want to wait until your first summertime AC bill arrives. Therefore, installing panels before the summer allows you to be much better prepared.
