“I’d love to go solar, but I don’t know how solar panels hold up against the weather.”
That’s a very understandable sentiment. Residential solar is a huge investment, so it makes sense that if you want to see your returns, your investment will have to endure.
Can solar panels withstand the sweltering summers and freezing winters of Virginia? What about hailstorms? Or high winds? How will that affect them in the long run?
If you’re curious about how residential solar works as an investment, we recommend reading our previous blog, The Current State of Solar in 2024. Is It Still a Good Investment?
The weather condition that affects solar the most is sunlight hours.
Who would have thought? Day length changes throughout the seasons, of course.
Virginia gets around 4 to 4.5 hours of sunlight in the winter and 6 to 8 hours of peak sunlight in the summer.
So, your solar panels will produce more electricity in summer than in winter. You can watch this happen to your solar system in real time with our smart home monitoring app in every residential solar installation.
How does residential solar get around this winter production deficit?
If you’ve done some solar research, you might have heard about grid-tied and off-grid systems.
Grid-tied systems are far more proficient. As the name suggests, they are still connected to the grid. During the summer, when your solar system is producing excess amounts of electricity, it sends that spare power to the grid. That electricity goes into powering your neighbors— your community. During the winter, when solar isn’t producing enough electricity to cover your power consumption, it takes from the grid.
Grid-tied systems essentially balance out this give-and-take through a system called net metering. Net metering is another subject, and it has its own article: Net Metering Explained: How It Works, the Benefits, and More.
Off-grid systems go through a lot more trouble come winter. Many rely on larger batteries or deep-cycle batteries designed for this kind of problem. Off-grid energy freedom appeals to many homesteaders, so they come up with creative solutions. Some create their own wind turbines to make up the difference.
Others understand that most of our power consumption comes from air conditioning and heating. So they enjoy the cozy, rustic warmth of an old-fashioned cast iron wood stove. They can then use solar energy for other uses, such as their entertainment system.
Off-grid travelers like Devin and Breanna O’Dell of Basically Nomads have solar panels on their mobile home. So, they can just go where the sun is, taking them from the peaks of Acadia National Park in Maine to the beaches of Baja, Mexico.
Weighing the pros and cons of a DIY, off-grid system? Read DIY vs. Professional Installation: What’s Best for Your Residential Solar System?
Cut to the chase: what does this all mean for my electric bill?
When you receive estimated monthly savings from a solar contractor, they are provided as an annual average. Your savings will vary based on the season, more during the summer and less during the winter.
However, it evens out. Our clients receive enormous savings year-round. Charles Griffin, a proud residential solar owner, has 100% of his energy usage offset by his solar system. As he explains:
“It’s been a fantastic buy for me. I run my house cooler by 5° in the summer and warmer in the winter. I’ve just found that I have much more flexibility in what I’ve been able to do and not worry about a power bill.”
Remember when we said most of our energy consumption comes from heating and cooling our house? Well, Charles here actually enjoys greater comfort thanks to residential solar. To hear the full story (and the total savings), read his Customer Testimonial: Charles Griffin’s Experience with Convert Solar.
So, what does this all mean for your electric bill? Lower utility bills, better comfort, and greater energy freedom!
How does seasonality affect solar panel longevity?
All solar panels naturally degrade due to exposure to UV light. Ironic, isn’t it? Like all electrical equipment, solar panels work more efficiently in the cold because low temperatures reduce internal resistance.
According to an article from the World Economic Forum titled, “Why don’t solar panels work as well in heatwaves?” the optimal temperature for optimal performance is between 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C). As Palmetto notes in “How Solar Seasonality Can Impact Your Electricity Bill,” solar panel performance gradually declines at temperatures above 80°F (27°C).
But the effects of temperature are negligible across the entire year!
You can’t really control the temperature of your panels. So, if you want to protect your investment in the long term, the best thing you can do is regular maintenance. Trust us: neglecting your solar panels will damage your investment much more than any seasonality.
To protect your investment, study up with Solar Panel Maintenance 101: Keeping Your System Running Efficiently.
Durability: what kind of extremes can solar panels withstand?
Let’s start with temperature. Can solar panels withstand the heat? According to Nelnet, solar panels can withstand temperatures up to 200°F (93°C) without any damage!
According to EnergySage, most solar panels can endure winds up to 140 mph. For context, a category three hurricane has winds from 111 to 129 mph. However, what makes panels so resistant are their mountings. Checking mounting for loose or damaged components is part of routine solar maintenance. And it will keep your home safe in the event of a disaster.
Hailstorms are rare here in Virginia. However, they are much more common in the central USA. States like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska experience hailstorms much more often. In those areas, it’s common for solar installers to use panels with a UL 61730 or IEC 61730 rating. These are certifications from independent organizations. They basically mean, ‘We’ve tested these solar panels, and they can withstand hailstones between one inch to three inches traveling up to 88 mph.’
In Virginia, you’ll probably encounter some snow. But snow varies from light, fluffy dustings to wet, heavy blankets. Modern solar panels can take about 4 feet of light, fluffy snow but only 2 feet of wet, heavy snow. The general rule of thumb is that if you receive a foot and a half of snow or more, you should brush off your solar panels if you can.
Virginia has the perfect weather for solar panels.
If you’re ready to embark on your journey of energy freedom, contact us today and get started with an estimate.
