The first big snowstorm of the season often leaves homeowners looking at a white roof and wondering whether their solar system has stopped working. A covered panel does produce little or no power while it is buried. But in most cases, snow on solar panels clears on its own within a short time, and trying to remove it yourself can do more harm than good. Here is what New Jersey solar owners should know before winter.
Do Solar Panels Work in Winter?
Yes. Solar panels make electricity from light, not heat, and they often run efficiently in cold temperatures. Winter production is lower mainly because the days are shorter and the sun sits lower in the sky, not because of the cold. Snow only becomes a factor when it covers the panels.
Will Snow Slide Off Solar Panels on Its Own?
Usually, yes. Solar panels are smooth and installed at an angle, and their dark surface absorbs sunlight even through a thin layer of snow. As the panels warm, the snow underneath begins to melt and the rest slides off. According to Forbes Home, in most cases you should not need to clean snow off your solar panels.
Snow tends to linger longer when:
- Panels are on a low-slope or nearly flat roof
- Temperatures stay well below freezing for several days
- Ice forms on top of the snow or along the bottom edge of the panels
Should You Remove Snow From Your Solar Panels?
For most homeowners, the answer is to wait. A few days of lost production in winter has a small effect on your total yearly output, especially compared with the cost of a roof injury or a damaged panel.
Never climb on a snowy roof
Snow and ice make roofs extremely slippery. Forbes Home puts it plainly: do not attempt to climb up on a snowy roof under any circumstances.
If you clear snow, do it from the ground
If you want to clear panels you can reach safely, use a soft, long-handled roof rake made for solar panels and work from the ground. Push gently and leave a thin layer rather than scraping the glass.
What not to use
- Metal shovels, ice scrapers or regular brooms that can scratch the glass
- Hot water, which can crack cold glass through sudden temperature change
- Salt or chemical de-icers, which can damage panels, frames and roofing
Also check your panel warranty. Forbes Home notes that attempting to remove snow can sometimes void it.
Snow Sliding Off the Roof: Protect People and Property
Because panels are so smooth, snow can slide off all at once in a heavy sheet. That can damage gutters, landscaping, cars and anything below the roof edge, and it can be dangerous for anyone walking underneath. If your panels sit above a walkway, door or driveway, solar snow guards can help hold snow in place so it melts or releases gradually. Solar X installs snow guards as part of our solar maintenance services.
Prepare Your Solar System Before Winter
- Schedule an inspection. Loose wiring, damaged mounts or cracked panels are easier to fix before snow and ice arrive. See our solar panel maintenance tips for New Jersey.
- Check your monitoring. A monitoring app shows if production drops more than it should, even after the snow is gone. Learn why solar monitoring is essential.
- Look for storm damage after a heavy storm. Use our checklist on solar panel and roof storm damage.
- Keep gutters clear so meltwater can drain and ice dams are less likely to form near the panels.
When to Call a Solar Professional
Call for service if production stays low for days after the snow melts, if you see cracked glass or a panel that has shifted, if ice dams are forming under the array, or if your monitoring shows an inverter error. Read about solar panel repair and replacement and how panels are built to handle storms and harsh weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels work with snow on them?
A light dusting lets some light through, but a thick layer blocks it. Production returns once the snow melts or slides off.
How long does it take for snow to come off solar panels?
It depends on the tilt of the panels, the temperature and the sun. On sunny days, snow on angled panels often starts sliding off within a day or two.
Can heavy snow damage solar panels?
Panels are built to carry snow loads, but heavy snow and ice can stress older roofs and mounts. If you are concerned, have the system and roof inspected.
Are solar snow guards worth it?
If panels sit above a walkway, entry, driveway or gutters, snow guards help prevent sheets of snow from sliding off all at once.
Winter-Ready Solar Service in New Jersey
Solar X LLC provides solar maintenance, repair, monitoring and snow guard installation for homes and businesses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. If your system needs a check before winter, our team can help.
Call Solar X at (732) 992-6323. Our office is at 1775 NJ-34, Suite B4, Wall Township, NJ 07727.
