If you are a homeowner with solar panels and live in a snowy location, some good news is in store for you! As we head into the first month of the new year, many cities across the country are set to experience the coldest days of the year. For those residents who live in locations that regularly experience intense snowfall, you may be wondering if it is worth your while to join the growing number of homeowners who are installing solar panels in their homes as part of a more environmentally friendly power solution. This photovoltaic expert sets the record straight for those who are still on the fence.

The growing number of households with solar panels

In today’s energy-intensive world, more households are looking towards implementing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fossil fuel sources. One such solution that has risen to dominate the renewable energy sector is solar panels. Made up of photovoltaic cells, solar panels can be installed to power both private residences and commercial use.  To date, there are over five million solar panel installations across the US, with that number expected to increase to ten million by 2030.

As technology advances, so too does the capability of these renewable solutions. In 2023, solar power accounted for over half of new electricity generation capacity, and by 2050, solar power is projected to be the largest source of generating capacity across the entire US grid. Further, the increase in demand for solar power opens up new local job opportunities, with the market already producing over 250,000 jobs in the US. Solar power is the most popular renewable energy source for private residences, with 97% of solar installations in the US being accounted for by private homes.

This PV expert sets the record straight on solar power and snow

While solar power continues to grow in popularity, some residents who live in colder locations may be hesitant to take the plunge on the initial high upfront costs. While photovoltaic technology may seem like the obvious choice in locations such as Florida and Texas, which experience sunshine year-round, those who live in states such as Alaska and North Dakota may be more skeptical with regard to installing this technology. 

However, Andrew Heath of Solar Hydrogen Inc, also known as @h2andthemuse on TikTok, recently released a video explaining to his audience that even in snowy weather, solar panels can still generate electricity:

“Did you know that solar panels can still generate power when there is six to eight inches of snow on them and it’s completely cloudy outside?” said Heath, “these solar panels behind me [in the video] generated 30 kilowatt hours of power today and the sun has not been out and there’s six to eight inches of snow and ice on top of the solar panels [which] has been there since Thanksgiving.”

While performance may drop compared to warmer months, residents can still power their homes through the colder weather months using this technology.

Making the switch to renewable energy sources

While renewable energy continues to advance, the rate of adoption of these technologies remains slow among both private residences and larger corporations, businesses, and industry. In 2023, Over 60% of electricity in the US was still generated by fossil fuels, with renewables only accounting for 21%.

However, more locations across the US are investing in renewables in order to ensure that we are able to meet our global climate targets by 2050, and irreversible climate change damage is upon us. At an individual level, installing solar panels in your home is one way that you can contribute towards a greener world by reducing your personal reliance on fossil fuels and encouraging others to adopt more sustainable sources of electricity for a greener world.

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