Boost your solar energy output with these top tips
Solar panels are one way to cut down on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, but winter can be a challenging time. With cloudier days and shorter daylight hours, solar panels can struggle during these darker months, when our energy usage is higher than in the warmer, brighter seasons.
With your heating and clothes dryer going at full pelt, you may need to rely on the grid for some of your energy needs. However, there are several easy steps to take to ensure you’re getting the most out of your solar panels in winter.
Whether you’re already using a solar panel system or researching things to know before buying solar panels, there are many ways you can still benefit from the sun’s energy. Here are 9 ways to get more out of your solar panels this winter.
1. Clear the snow
While we all love a bit of snow — one clear sign that winter is well underway — solar panels are not so keen. When covered in a blanket of snow, the electricity generating solar cells are blocked from sunlight and cannot produce energy. A thick snow covering can also damage the panels, with anything over 3 feet deep causing a weight issue.
Project Solar UK says: “Getting rid of a snowy build-up from your solar panels drastically improves their efficiency, but first, it’s important to be aware of the best ways of getting this done.”
Read more: tom’sguide
