Are My Solar Panels Broken Or Is It Just A Gray January
Winter in the Pacific Northwest often brings gloomy and rainy days, making it feel like the sun has disappeared entirely. But despite appearances, yes, there is still light during those dark winter months in Washington and Oregon—and yes, your PV system is still collecting sunbeams.
Even when you don’t feel the hot rays on a cloudy day, your solar panels do, collecting scattered light and converting it into energy. So how does it work, and what are the benefits of solar when you can’t see the sun?
Hot, Balmy Weather Not Included
While sunshine is often associated with heat, it’s not a necessary ingredient for solar production. Solar panels operate most effectively at cooler temperatures, with their Goldilocks zone being between 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. That means a cool and sunny day is the ideal condition for solar production. And those storm clouds don’t stop production either. In fact, over 20 percent of solar energy produced in the Pacific Northwest takes place during the rainy season.
If you do get a little snow on your panels this winter, fret not. Any dusting of snow is often blown off by the wind, and light can still reach the panels to produce electricity through a small amount of powder. Snow can also be great for cleaning your panels, catching dust and other dirt that may reduce efficiencies in production—picture snow sliding off your car windshield.
All Solar, No Shade
In the dead of winter, you may notice your solar panels producing little to no energy. In addition to not being able to convert solar energy at night, trees and other structures may create shadows that block the sun’s light from entering your system. These shadows can be longer and bigger in the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. 
During installation, A&R Solar installers help identify the best place to locate your panels to reduce the impact of shading on your PV system.
A Refresher on Net Metering
This process, called net metering, brings equilibrium to your energy usage by crediting your excess summer energy production to offset your winter consumption. This is sometimes called “spinning the meter backwards” because some PV systems with analog meters physically reverse directions with excess energy. Most utilities now use digital metering, so you’ll probably see a blinking reverse arrow instead of a spinning meter.
Tech Troubles
One way to keep track of your winter production is by monitoring your system’s performance remotely. Customers can do this through a website or app on their phone, which shares the total production of the system. Data comes from the solar inverter, which sends information to the monitoring software via Wi-Fi or a modem and internet connection.
If your monitoring site is missing data, it may mean your system has become disconnected from the internet. You should ensure both your site or app is connected to the internet, as well as your PV system. Having an Ethernet cord connected to your modem can produce the most stable conditions.
If you have a central inverter, you can also take a peek at the screen and make sure you don’t see any yellow or red LED warning lights.
Another way to gauge how much power your system has generated is by looking at your most recent utility bill. Plus, you’ll see the impact solar savings can produce year-round.
The A&R Solar team is always here to help with service support as needed.
Ready to take control of your energy future? Contact A&R Solar today to learn how the FranklinWH system can revolutionize your home energy experience and provide lasting peace of mind.