Written by: Louise Deltheil
Edited by: Iris Bisson
In Canada, there are over 43,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) energy installations on residential, commercial and industrial rooftops. Solar panels have gained in popularity in the past few years, because PV cells can be used on a variety of scales : one cell for utility scale, like powering a calculator or a road stop, and many cells together to provide power to homes. (Canadian Renewable Energy Association, 2021).
Often, the conversation regarding solar panels revolves around their environmental advantages and economic disadvantages.
From a sustainability view-point, the use of solar energy is largely positive because it harnesses renewable energy and greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, a coal power plant will release 25 times more emissions, and a natural gas plant 10 times more emissions, than a solar energy power plant would for the same amount of energy produced. Energy available from the sun is a tremendous resource: according to the US Department of Energy, one hour and a half of sunlight is equivalent to the power needed for all of humanity’s energy needs for a year, if only we were able to harness this energy entirely (Igini, 2023).
The major drawback for consumers is the cost of solar panels, as these require large investments to install. Today, a home installation can cost up to USD$20,000, with USD$5,000 spent on solar energy storage. On a national level, the major concern is the amount of land it would require to produce enough energy for everyone. To meet the US energy consumption needs, almost 19 million acres (0.8% of US land) would need to be dedicated to solar power plants. Furthermore, solar panels create a lot of waste, and because hazardous chemicals and heavy metals are used in parts, careful management and special disposal procedures need to be put in place. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, by 2050, “solar energy systems could be responsible for up to 78 million tons of waste” (Igini, 2023).
Of all of the disadvantages, weather conditions are the most discussed issue. Solar panels of course need a certain amount of sunlight to properly function. For colder countries, such as Canada and the northern states, snowfall is a big question: how does it affect solar panels?
Surprisingly, snow barely impacts the efficiency of solar panels. Since solar energy depends on sunlight and not heat, colder temperatures are not directly an issue. As a matter of fact, warm temperatures cause the solar panels to overheat, whereas the cold actually increases their efficiency. According to a study published in Science Direct, overheating panels can lose 10 to 25% of their output (Zack, 2023). However, during the winter months, there is less sunlight. According to data collected by the US Energy Information Administration, small-scale solar systems, such as those installed on homes, generated around 36% less power in January 2024 compared to July 2023 (3,300 compared to 5,200 thousand megawatt hours). Total energy losses due to snow can range from 1 to 12%, depending on the site. When looking at the annual productivity of solar panels, snow does not affect them much, especially compared to cloudy or even hot days (onlinemarketing@ichoosr.com, 2024).
On the contrary, snow on solar panels provides some benefits. Because snow has reflective properties, it can enhance the performance of solar panels by reflecting additional light onto them – this phenomenon is known as the albedo effect. Additionally, light can easily get through a light dusting of snow, and the 45-degree angle of most panels means that heavy patches of snow easily slide off. The falling snow also helps clean the panels of debris and dust, making them more efficient (Zack, 2023).
However, there are some issues that come with the maintenance of solar panels when heavy snowfall occurs. For safety and to avoid damaging the panels, individuals should not remove the snow by themselves, but instead reach out to professionals or use specialized panel rakes. This induces additional costs and the required tools are rarely covered by insurance. The main worry with heavy snowfall is the added weight on the roof. The panel itself goes through rigorous pressure tests, so it will not suffer from the weight of the snow. However, homeowners must ensure that the roof can support the weight of the panels (which are very heavy to begin with) and the added weight of the snow. One solution is to make the solar panels steeper when installing them, especially in areas known to get heavy snowfalls. This can help the snow slide off more easily (Zack, 2023).
In conclusion, snowfall does not impact solar panels enough for them to become inefficient in the winter months. The effects of hot temperatures in summer balances out with cloudy days and snow in the winter, such that the efficiency of solar panels does not change much throughout the year. If snow is the only con in your list, then solar panels are 100% worth the investment.
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References:
Canadian Renewable Energy Association. (2021, January 21). Solar Energy - Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Renewablesassociation.ca. https://renewablesassociation.ca/solar-energy/.
Igini, M. (2023, May 1). What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy? Earth.org. https://earth.org/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy/.
onlinemarketing@ichoosr.com. (2024, June 24). Do Solar Panels Work in Winter? The Definitive Guide - Solar Switch Blog. Solar Switch Blog. https://solarswitch.com/blog/solar-panels-winter-snow/.
Zack, L. (2023, December 27). Do Solar Panels Work In The Winter? A Complete Guide To Solar Panels In The Snow. Forbes Home. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-panels-snow-winter-guide/.
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