Yes, Solar Panels Work in Winter
This is the most common concern Albertans have about solar: “We get cold, dark winters — how can solar possibly work?” The answer might surprise you.
Solar panels don’t need heat — they need light. And while Alberta winters have shorter days, they also have clear, sunny skies more often than most Canadian provinces. Cold temperatures actually make solar panels more efficient, not less.
Winter Solar Production: The Real Numbers
Let’s be honest about expectations. An 8 kW solar system in central Alberta will produce roughly:
| Month | Production | % of Peak (June) |
|---|---|---|
| June (peak) | 1,400 kWh | 100% |
| December (low) | 250 kWh | 18% |
| January | 350 kWh | 25% |
| February | 500 kWh | 36% |
| November | 300 kWh | 21% |
Winter production is significantly lower — that’s reality. But here’s what people miss: solar is a year-round investment. The massive summer production more than compensates for winter lows.
Why Cold Weather Is Actually Good for Panels
Solar panels have a temperature coefficient — their efficiency changes with temperature. Here’s the key fact: solar panels perform better in cold weather.
- Standard panels lose about 0.3-0.4% efficiency for every degree above 25°C
- In a -20°C Alberta winter, panels can be 15-18% more efficient than their rated output
- A panel rated at 400W might actually produce 460W+ on a cold, clear winter day
The issue isn’t temperature — it’s the shorter days and lower sun angle.
The Snow Question
Snow is the biggest winter challenge for Alberta solar panels. Here’s what actually happens:
Light Dustings (1-3 cm)
Light snow often slides off panels within hours, especially if they’re tilted at 30°+. Production loss is minimal — maybe a few hours.
Heavy Snowfall (10+ cm)
Heavy snow can cover panels completely and block production until it melts or slides off. This might mean 1-3 days of reduced output after a big storm.
Chinook Effect
Alberta’s famous chinook winds are a solar homeowner’s best friend. A chinook can melt snow off panels in hours, restoring production quickly. Southern and central Alberta benefit most from this phenomenon.
Should You Clear Snow Off Panels?
Generally, no. Here’s why:
- It’s dangerous — climbing on a snowy, icy roof is risky
- You can scratch or damage panels with improper tools
- The energy gained rarely justifies the effort
- Snow will clear naturally in most cases within a few days
Exception: If you have ground-mounted panels that are easily accessible, gentle brushing with a soft-bristle broom is fine.
Optimizing for Winter
If you want to maximize winter production:
- Steeper tilt angle (45-50°): Snow slides off faster and catches low winter sun better
- Microinverters: If some panels are snow-covered, the uncovered panels still produce at full capacity (unlike string inverters where one shaded panel can reduce the whole string)
- South-facing orientation: Even more important in winter when the sun stays low in the southern sky
- Keep surrounding trees trimmed: Winter shadows are longer — a tree that doesn’t shade your roof in summer might block it in December
The Smart Strategy: Match Your Rate to the Season
Here’s how savvy solar homeowners handle the seasonal swing: they change their electricity plan to match their production.
Get Energy’s Solar Club lets you do exactly this:
- Summer (Apr-Sep): Switch to the HI rate (35.00¢/kWh export) when your panels are producing heavily
- Winter (Oct-Mar): Switch to the LO rate (3.33¢/kWh import) when you’re drawing from the grid
This seasonal rate switching is the key to making Alberta solar economics work year-round. The variable rate is also a viable option for solar customers, as it can save you even more money — variable rates are typically lower than fixed rates. You earn maximum revenue in summer and pay minimum costs in winter.
Winter Production Still Adds Up
Even at reduced output, winter solar isn’t zero:
- November through February: ~1,400 kWh from an 8 kW system
- At the Solar Club LO rate of 3.33¢/kWh, that offsets ~$125 in import charges
- On a standard RRO rate of ~12¢/kWh+, the savings are even higher
It’s not summer-level production, but it’s not nothing. And every kWh your panels produce in winter is a kWh you didn’t have to buy from the grid.
The Annual Picture
Don’t judge solar by its worst month. Judge it by the full year:
- An 8 kW system in Alberta produces approximately 10,000-11,000 kWh annually
- Summer overproduction more than compensates for winter underproduction
- With the Solar Club’s seasonal rate switching, the financial return is strong year-round
Bottom Line
Alberta winters reduce solar production but don’t kill it. The province’s high sunshine hours, clear skies, and cold-temperature efficiency bonus mean solar still makes excellent financial sense on an annual basis — especially with the right electricity plan.
Join Get Energy’s Solar Club and make every season count. Or compare all our rates to find the right plan for your situation.
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