Regardless of what time of year it is, switching over to solar is one of the best investments you can make on your home! It’s important to understand that solar panels will output different variations in daily energy over the course of the calendar year based on where you live. In the Northeast areas of New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts, Solar will produce different measures over the course of the four seasons. Let’s break things down!
During the cold months of the year, your solar panels will produce different amounts of energy than the summer months. Firstly, we have shorter days in the winter than we do in the summer in the Northeast. This means that solar will produce less than average energy per day than it would during the summer months, as there is less sunlight each day!
The sun is also lower in the sky which can dramatically affect lower productivity as well. For most solar owners, this means that the sun’s rays will be hitting the solar panels less directly than in the warmer months. Cold weather conditions, freezing temperatures, and snow lingering on the roof during the winter can also limit the solar panels productivity as well.
When Summer begins in the northeast we think sunshine, swimming and of course, air conditioning! You will notice higher production in the warmer months due to the days being longer and sunnier, so your system will generate more solar power. Summer is beneficial to the net-metering system with higher energy production by storing up credits for the power made and then drawing them down when the sun isn’t shining during those cool months when you really need it.
If we tell you average of 10,000 kw per year, the % of lower production months is already accounted for! The lower production is accounted for in every estimate, and at Plug PV, we look at the entire year as a whole, so you will always have an accurate estimate.
Have questions about seasonality? Email us today at info@plugpv.com
