When winter hits New England, homeowners often worry about how snow will affect their solar energy production. It’s a common question solar roof companies in MA hear every year: Do you need to clear snow off your solar panels? The short answer is, probably not. However, there are some circumstances when clearing snow off your solar panels can be helpful.
What do solar companies in MA say about clearing snow off your solar panels? Our team at Sunday Energy is weighing in to help you maximize solar energy production.
Solar Panels Can Handle the Snow
First, it’s important to note that solar panels are designed to handle winter weather. Their smooth, dark surface absorbs heat, helping snow melt and slide off on its own, often faster than it melts on your roof. Solar panels are also almost always installed at an angle, which helps shed snow. After a day or two of continued sunshine, solar panels are typically clear of snow, even if the rest of the roof is not.
Designed with Winter in Mind
In most cases, the brief dip in production during a snowstorm won’t harm your long-term solar savings. Solar roof companies in MA design systems with a bit of extra capacity to account for seasonal changes in sunlight. The designers and manufacturers know the systems will operate in snowy climates, and so include features to ensure year-round operation. Missing a day or two of energy generation due to snowfall isn’t a major concern.
When to Clear the Snow
Despite these considerations, sometimes it makes sense to clear snow from your panels. If you rely on solar power for critical loads, have had several storms in a row, or your panels are at a low tilt, snow may take longer to clear. When that period exceeds the time you can wait, brushing snow off the panels can restore production. If you need to clear your panels, use a soft, extendable snow rake designed for use on solar panels. Never use metal tools that could scratch the glass.
Prioritize Safety
If you do need to clear snow from your solar panels, never compromise personal safety. Climbing on a snowy roof is dangerous, and solar roofing companies strongly advise against it. If you can’t reach your panels to clear them from the ground, hire a professional to do it for you. Pros have the necessary equipment to safely remove snow from your solar panels without causing any damage.
Stay Powered Up This Winter with Solar Roof Companies in MA
In most cases, there’s no need to remove snow from your solar panels. The panels’ design and the winter will nearly always take care of the snow on their own. But if you do need to remove snow from your solar panels, it’s best to leave it to professional solar roof companies in MA.
Contact our team at Sunday Energy for system installation, operation assistance, or maintenance and repairs.